Director
Economic Development
Arlington, Virginia
Arlington County, VA has partnered with P3Hired to recruit its next Director of Economic Development.
To apply, please click the Apply Now button below and submit your resume.
Application & Position Details
Arlington | By the Numbers
- 26 square miles of highly urbanized, transit-oriented development
- 243,000+ residents in one of the most highly educated communities in the nation
- 77% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, supporting a deep professional and technical talent base
- Median household income exceeding $140,000, among the highest in the United States
- 44.5 million square feet of office space across Rosslyn, National Landing, Ballston, and Clarendon
- 9,500+ business establishments driving a diversified and innovation-oriented economy
- 219,000+ jobs located in Arlington County, with leading industries including professional and technical services and government
- More than 7 million annual visitors, generating nearly $4.8 billion in visitor spending and supporting more than 17,000 hospitality jobs
Arlington County is one of the nation’s most strategically positioned and economically vibrant urban communities, providing access to many amenities and a high quality of life. Located directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Arlington combines global connectivity with a strong local identity grounded in long-standing values of diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to effective local government management and governance.
Within 26 square miles, Arlington supports a diverse and resilient economy spanning cutting-edge start-up companies and globally recognized businesses focusing on technology, cybersecurity, defense, professional services, hospitality, and the arts. Its highly educated workforce and proximity to leading regional universities and research institutions contribute to a dynamic innovation environment and strong talent pipeline.
Arlington’s economy is anchored by a strong federal and private sector presence, including several federal agencies, which supports a robust ecosystem of defense, national competitiveness, cybersecurity, and professional services firms. The County also hosts major corporate and innovation leaders, including Amazon’s HQ2 in National Landing and the United States headquarters of Nestlé, alongside a diverse concentration of technology, consulting, hospitality, and global services companies. Partnerships with George Mason University, Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus, and Northeastern University further strengthen the County’s talent pipeline and research capacity.
Recognized nationally for smart growth and transit-oriented development, Arlington continues to adapt to evolving commercial markets while maintaining a focus on long-term fiscal sustainability and economic resilience. This strength is reflected in national rankings, including being named the
#1 Best Place to Live in America by Niche and the #1 Most Educated City in the United States by Northern Kentucky University.
Arlington Economic Development
Arlington Economic Development (AED) advances Arlington as an economically competitive and sustainable community. The department integrates business investment, small business, real estate development, tourism promotion, strategic partnerships, cultural affairs, and communications into a coordinated economic strategy.
Working in coordination with County leadership and regional partners, the department ensures that Arlington’s economic priorities align with policy, infrastructure, and community objectives. AED includes approximately 50 full-time staff and operates with an annual budget of approximately $10 million, reflecting the scale and scope of its responsibilities.
Arlington’s Economic Ecosystem
To fully understand the scope and complexity of this leadership role, we encourage candidates to explore Arlington’s economic framework, AED’s strategic plan and publicly reported metrics in the links below. Arlington’s approach integrates long-term strategy with measurable outcomes across multiple drivers of economic vitality:
- Economic Strategy & Performance – outlining strategic priorities, metrics, and accountability.
- National Innovation Quarter (National IQ) – a regional innovation district advancing technology development and cross-sector collaboration.
- Business Investment – supporting recruitment, retention, and industry growth.
- Commercial Development – tracking real estate trends, vacancy, and development activity.
- Visitor and Cultural Economy – advancing tourism, hospitality, and cultural assets.
The Director of Economic Development Role
The Director of Economic Development provides executive leadership for AED and reports to a Deputy County Manager. The Director serves on Arlington’s Executive Leadership Team and contributes to enterprise-wide policy and strategy discussions, holding a visible and influential role in shaping Arlington’s economic direction.
This role requires executive presence, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate complex public-sector environments. The Director operates at the intersection of public policy, private investment, and community expectations, ensuring that economic growth supports both competitiveness and governance priorities.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate demonstrates a deep understanding of municipal governance and brings experience advising executive and elected leadership in complex public environments. This individual offers strategic leadership advancing economic development, urban development, tourism, arts, or related initiatives and a record of measurable economic outcomes.
The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to build strong local, regional, and state relationships, integrate diverse economic drivers into a cohesive strategy, and lead with a collaborative style. Experience navigating development agreements and incentive frameworks within public-sector contexts is essential.
In addition, the County seeks a leader who brings a steady, credible executive presence and the ability to build trust, reinforce alignment, and provide consistent direction across teams and stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
The Director’s leadership spans strategic, operational, political, and external dimensions, including the following core areas of responsibility:
Strategic Leadership
Provide overall direction for Arlington’s economic development strategy, ensuring alignment with County priorities and long-term fiscal sustainability while positioning Arlington competitively within the region. Guide the department in responding to changing market conditions while advancing a cohesive vision across business investment in small businesses and large companies, development, tourism, and cultural initiatives.
Policy Advisory
Advise County leadership on economic development strategy, major development opportunities, and policy considerations. Provide clear, data-informed recommendations grounded in market analysis and community context. Navigate complex political environments with credibility and discretion.
Public Representation
Serve as Arlington’s spokesperson on economic development matters at the local, regional, national, and international levels. Communicate effectively with business leaders, developers, elected officials, media, and community stakeholders.
Fiscal and Operational Oversight
Ensure responsible stewardship of departmental resources and transparent reporting of performance outcomes consistent with County expectations.
Executive and Enterprise Engagement
Serve as an active member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to County-wide strategic planning and cross-department coordination. Ensure economic development initiatives are integrated with broader County policies, community development and planning, capital planning, and operational priorities.
Business Investment Strategy
Lead efforts to recruit, retain, and expand businesses within Arlington. In collaboration with County leadership and cross-functional partners, develop and negotiate economic development agreements and incentive frameworks, ensuring alignment with established governance standards and fiscal objectives.
Regional and State Engagement
Represent Arlington in regional economic development partnerships and Commonwealth initiatives. Maintain productive relationships with state agencies, regional entities, higher education institutions, and industry partners to advance shared economic goals.
Organizational Leadership
Lead a multidisciplinary department comprised of division leaders and subject-matter experts. Foster collaboration, accountability, and professional development while promoting alignment across Arlington’s economic ecosystem.
Qualifications
Leadership & Governance Experience
Demonstrated experience leading within a municipal or similarly complex governance environment, including advising executive and elected leadership on economic development strategy and policy considerations.
Economic & Development Expertise
Demonstrated professional experience in economic development, urban development, real estate, tourism, arts administration, or related field. Experience structuring or evaluating development agreements, incentive frameworks, or public-private partnerships is highly desirable.
Education
A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in public administration, business, urban planning, or a related field is preferred.
Compensation and Application Process
The midpoint of the salary range for this position is approximately $265,000 annually. Placement within the range will be based on qualifications and experience. Some relocation costs may be reimbursed. This is an executive level position with compensation aligned to performance and County priorities.
As an Employer of Choice, Arlington County offers a comprehensive executive benefits package. Full details are available here.
Additional Conditions of Employment
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of comprehensive references and a background check. The selected candidate will be required to complete the Commonwealth of Virginia Statement of Economic Interests form upon hire and annually thereafter.
Equal Opportunity
Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable law.
Apply
Arlington County, VA has partnered with P3Hired to recruit its next Director of Economic Development.
To apply, please click the Apply Now button below and submit your resume.