SUMMARY

The Economic Development & Government Affairs Associate is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and advancing real estate economic development tools and assets covered by these tools to leverage expertise in public-private partnerships, incentives, market intelligence, and strategic relationships. This role focuses on maximizing project feasibility, long-term value, and community alignment while supporting the company’s growth and development objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

• Develops, assists, and helps with negotiating long-term strategies for deploying economic development tools to assist with development and construction growth plans
• Lead business recruitment and development efforts for the company across different industry sectors.
• Identify existing industries with expansion efforts and manage relationships with local businesses.
• Research community impact on development efforts to ensure business goals are accomplished.
• Support economic research to advance business growth. 
• Negotiate business development grants, loans, and investment packages with local, state, or federal government.
• Engage with stakeholders, including government officials, educators, and community leaders to align regional interests.
• Build and maintain relationships with governmental, community, and business leaders to facilitate development projects.
• Utilize economic data, GIS mapping, and market trends to identify prime locations and economic opportunities.
• Oversee, direct, and monitor real estate and site development programs to ensure compliance with company goals.
• Collaborate with internal departments on economic development projects.
• Manage current and future Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) agreements. 
• Lead Municipal Management Districts (MMD) partnerships and Municipal Utility Districts (MUD) and any other special districts or economic development tools
• Actively seek new business opportunities through networking and outreach. 
• Participate in town hall meetings, City Council, Planning and Zoning, MPO, State and Federal meetings, non-profits, conferences, workshops and community development events to establish and build business networks. 
• Work collaboratively with team members and across departments.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree required, with master’s degree (MBA, Economics, Public Policy) preferred. Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) preferred. 

EXPERIENCE:

Must have at least ten (10) years in economic development, corporate real estate, business finance, or related roles.

SKILLS: 

Must have the following skills and/or abilities:

• Proficient in Windows operating systems and associated software 
• High level negotiation skills
• Ability to lead, present to executives or public boards, and manage complex projects
• Experience working with city, county, state, and federal agencies
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work with community and governmental leaders effectively 
• Knowledge of trends, developments, and techniques in the field of economic development

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:  

Must have a current driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to perform the following physical activity on a frequent to constant basis:

• Sit for long periods of time while gathering, updating, and validating vendor or supplier cost information or performing other related activities.
• Lift 10–20 lbs. of files, plans, office supplies, or similar items. 
• Constantly uses fingers and hands when dialing/answering the telephone and operating a computer or other office machinery, such as a copy machine, scanner, and computer printer.
• Ability to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information through verbal communications in person or detect objects in and around job site over the telephone.
• Average, ordinary visual acuity necessary to prepare or inspect documents; operate a computer or other office machinery; or.
• Walk short distances on slippery, even, and/or uneven surfaces.
• Stand, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, turn, or crawl.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Majority of work is performed in an office atmosphere located inside a building, with building inspections as needed.
• May require infrequent job site visits involve performing work in outdoor weather conditions with exposure to extreme cold, heat, and noise depending upon project site.
• Travel locally and between cities where development is in progress will be expected.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to:

• Adhere to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, professionalism, and discretion.
• Project a courteous, professional and positive approach with clients, subcontractors, employees, and authorizing agencies while providing prompt, efficient, and accurate assistance. 
• Follow and exchange basic instructions, information, and guidelines.
• Direct and instructs Sub-Contractors effectively with a leadership style that is firm, fair, consistent, and goal oriented.
• Nurture a working environment which encourages employee loyalty, longevity, and satisfaction. 
• Creates a culture of customer satisfaction.
• Make independent decisions based on experience or knowledge with minimal supervision.
• Participate in training and development opportunities offered to maintain construction-related software and safety knowledge.
• Communicate and comprehend instructions/directions in accordance with safety requirements, which necessitate no language barriers exist between employees and supervisors.
• Adhere to and perform functions according to company and OSHA safety guidelines.
• Wear personal protective equipment as required such as steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, hard hat, vest, and the like while conducting job site visits.
• Maintain regular, timely, and predictable attendance.