This recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. The first review of applications will occur on November 16, 2026.

Oregon City was the first incorporated city west of the Rockies, the end of the Oregon Trail, and home to Willamette Falls. Today it's a growing community of 38,000 with a historic downtown, a riverfront poised for change, and a strong network of business and community partners. We're looking for an Economic Development Manager to help shape what comes next.

This is a chance to lead a varied economic development portfolio and see the results on the ground. The City's adaptive reuse grants and Vertical Housing Tax Credit program put real dollars to work, helping owners bring older buildings back to life and add housing downtown. The position also supports the Urban Renewal Commission and helps manage the Agency's budget and redevelopment projects. Arts and culture are part of the mix too, including support for the Arts Commission and leadership of the public art, mural, and film programs that give Oregon City its character.

Businesses that are growing, relocating, or building here will look to this position as their go-to partner at the City. Time with local employers is part of the job, as is close collaboration with the Chamber and downtown business organizations. Other work includes responding to site-selection opportunities with Business Oregon and connecting entrepreneurs and employers with the resources they need.

The position is housed in the Community Development Department alongside Planning and Building, so development projects get a coordinated team behind them. It reports to the Community Development Director and works closely with the City Manager and City Commission.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who enjoys variety, is comfortable with real estate and development finance, communicates well with commissions and business owners alike, and wants to make a visible difference in a community with a remarkable past and a lot of momentum.

The Economic Development Manager will focus on working with the City Commission, Urban Renewal Commission, Arts Commission, other City advisory committees and boards, interest groups and City staff to lead the City’s economic development program and promote new investments in the urban renewal district, downtown, employment and industrial lands and other development areas of interest throughout the City.

The program is organized around foundational pillars: business retention and expansion, business recruitment, entrepreneurship, and community development, grant and the arts and urban renewal. The City leads where it has the authority or tool, connects businesses to partners where another organization provides the service, and relies on partners where the expertise already exists outside the City. Develop strategies to attract and retain business and targeted industries, create employment opportunities and increase the City’s tax base. Develop and market programs to promote investment in new commercial and industrial developments; conduct studies to assist in enhancing existing commercial and industrial uses, and work closely with existing businesses, property owners and commercial real estate professionals to recruit new tenants. Coordinate public and private proposals with regional and state economic development partners, consultants, and City staff. Supervises the Economic Development Coordinator when the position is funded and filled.