Economic Development Specialist

Under general supervision, the Economic Development Specialist is responsible for managing the City’s Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program and supporting other economic development initiatives. 
The position builds and maintains relationships with existing Leander businesses, provides resources and assistance to locally owned and independently operated small businesses, identifies workforce needs, and connects employers with appropriate resources and partners. The position also supports business attraction, economic development projects, research, incentive compliance, and departmental communications.
Works closely with Economic Development staff, other City departments, local businesses, entrepreneurs, developers, property owners, commercial real estate professionals, chambers of commerce, workforce and educational organizations, business-support organizations, governmental agencies, and the public.  

• Manage and implement the City’s Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program, including business outreach, visits, follow-up, reporting, and performance tracking. 
• Build and maintain positive relationships with existing Leander businesses and serve as a primary point of contact for business retention and expansion needs. 
• Identify business challenges, expansion opportunities, workforce needs, and potential retention concerns and coordinate appropriate City or partner resources. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with locally owned and independently operated small businesses and entrepreneurs and provide information regarding available programs, resources, and City services. 
• Identify employer workforce needs through BRE activities and connect businesses with workforce agencies, educational institutions, training providers, and other workforce-development resources. 
• Maintain relationships with workforce, education, chamber, small-business, and regional economic development partners. 
• Support business attraction efforts by responding to routine prospect inquiries, compiling demographic, workforce, property, infrastructure, and market information, and assisting with Requests for Information and project follow-up. 
• Assist with prospect meetings, business visits, property tours, and coordination with City departments as needed. 
• Maintain and update economic development databases, business records, BRE activity, prospect information, property information, and other departmental data. 
• Conduct demographic, economic, workforce, industry, and market research to support business retention, recruitment, and departmental initiatives. 
• Prepare reports, presentations, correspondence, briefing materials, and other professional documents. 
• Assist with monitoring economic development incentive agreements, including tracking required documentation, deadlines, and performance requirements. 
• Assist with economic development marketing, business communications, workshops, meetings, and local community events. 
• Provide professional customer service to businesses, prospects, developers, property owners, commercial real estate professionals, community organizations, and the public. 
• Maintain confidential business and project information and perform other related duties and special projects as assigned. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Marketing, Urban Planning, Finance, Real Estate, or a related field is preferred. 

Required Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Marketing, Urban Planning, Finance, Real Estate, or a related field is preferred.
• Two years of experience in economic development, business development, business retention and expansion, small-business assistance, workforce development, community development, municipal government, or a related field is preferred. 

Or

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

• Valid Texas Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record is required. 

Preferred Education and Certifications 

• Three or more years of experience in economic development, business development, business retention and expansion, small-business assistance, workforce development, community development, municipal government, or a related field is preferred. 
• Successfully completed TEDC Basic Economic Development Course and Economic Development Sales Tax Workshop.

• Knowledge of economic development principles and practices; business retention and expansion; small-business development; workforce resources; economic and demographic research; general municipal government functions; and standard office procedures.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with businesses and community partners.
• Ability to manage the day-to-day operation of the City’s BRE program;
• Ability to identify business and workforce needs and connect businesses with appropriate resources; 
• Conduct research and organize data. 
• Prepare accurate reports, presentations, and correspondence; 
• Skills in communicating effectively both orally and in writing; 
• Provide excellent customer service; 
• Manage multiple priorities and deadlines; 
• Skill in using Microsoft Office and related databases, research, and presentation technologies.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle and feel items, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to lift or move 50 lbs. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be considered.

Working Environment 
Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment and includes regular visits to businesses within Leander. Some evening meetings or local business events may be required. Travel outside the local area is expected to be minimal.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position.