Economic Development Project Manager

Responsible for attracting, expanding, and retaining businesses across Denton. This position will assist companies exploring growth opportunities by helping them navigate site selection, real estate options, public incentives, workforce connections, and strategic partnerships. This position will manage projects across Denton’s commercial and industrial corridors, focusing on existing businesses and target industries including technology, life sciences, aviation, advanced manufacturing and mobility, creative, and other emerging industries.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
 
DUTIES

• Advise business executive leadership teams on relocation or expansion opportunities in Denton, including site selection, incentives, relevant university programs, and state and local business resources. 
• Assist or lead supporting special projects such as retail recruitment initiatives and the advancement of tech ecosystem and startup recruitment pipelines.
• Manage, coordinate, and draft comprehensive responses to Requests for Information (RFIs) received from site selectors, companies, and regional economic partners such as the Governor's Office of Economic Development and Dallas Regional Chamber to ensure all site data, utilities, and community metrics are submitted accurately and on time.
• Perform detailed quantitative analyses and return-on-investment (ROI) modeling to evaluate prospective corporate projects, using economic modeling tools to determine appropriate public incentive thresholds, tax impacts, and community benefits.
• Structure, negotiate, and draft economic incentive proposals and formal legal agreements, coordinating with the City Attorney's Office to ensure compliance with municipal policies, City Council guidelines, and Texas local government codes (e.g., Chapter 380/312 agreements).
• Assist businesses in evaluating commercial and industrial real estate opportunities, including assessing utility access, navigating zoning and permitting requirements, and optimizing speed to market for the development site.
• Organize and lead site tours, partner meetings, and market visits for prospective businesses, covering office, industrial, manufacturing, and research locations.
• Develop tailored proposals, pitch decks, memorandums, presentations, and other materials that communicate Denton’s value proposition and project recommendations to internal and external audiences.
• Manage business development projects from intake through execution, including incentive applications, analyses, administrative deadlines, board and council approvals, and follow-up actions.
• Support business talent needs by assisting with the coordination of local job fairs, staying continuously abreast of regional workforce resources, and continuing to learn and leverage university offerings and educational talent pipelines.
• Maintain Denton’s business development pipeline using CRM tools to track KPIs and maintain regular reporting metrics. 
• Primarily work on incoming prospect leads with occasional lead generation duties, conducting company, industry, and market research to identify business attraction targets and strategic growth opportunities.
• Conduct extensive market intelligence, consumer behavior, and labor market research using advanced data analytics tools such as JobsEQ and other industry databases to generate insights, identify industry trends, and generate reports. 
• Coordinate with local, state, and international partners and trade organizations, to support business attraction and retention. 
• Represent Denton at regional industry conferences, networking events to promote the city as a premier destination for business growth and investment.

 SUPERVISORY/BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES 

• None. 

 OTHER DUTIES 
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  
 EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or related field; and
• Five (5) years’ experience in economic development, business development, customer relations, customer service, public administration, or related field; 

OR             

• Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job

 
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES 
An individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The list below represents the knowledge, skill, and/or ability to perform this job successfully: 

• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and Local Government laws, ordinances, and regulations. 
• Knowledge of project management principles, including the ability to review and recommend project improvements based on scope and budget.
• Knowledge of new concepts and innovations in the field of public management and local government service delivery.
• Knowledge of municipal economic development practices, including incentive structures, public-private partnerships, legal contracts, and development agreements.
• Knowledge of property databases, GIS platforms, and commercial real estate listing services such as CoStar.
• Skill in managing client-facing projects, stakeholder relationships, and business development opportunities.
• Skill in communicating and presenting complex information clearly to City leadership, boards, community partners, and external stakeholders.
• Skill in analyzing and interpreting data, developing strategic recommendations, managing projects, meeting tight deadlines, and coordinating competing priorities.
• Skill in moderate problem solving; identifying problems and reviewing related information to develop, evaluate options, and implement solutions. 
• Skill at the intermediate level, working with applicable Microsoft Office 365 products, and other software systems to complete work.  
• Skill in providing exceptional service to internal and external customers.  
• Skill in interpersonal relationships, including using tact, patience, and courtesy.  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with companies, property owners, brokers, public-sector partners, community stakeholders, and international partners.
• Ability to navigate, interpret, and synthesize property information available through the Denton Central Appraisal District.
• Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism and ethical conduct while demonstrating a positive attitude and working collaboratively in a fast-paced municipal environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in oral and written forms, for the needs of the audience. 
• Ability to handle records and complex situations of a confidential nature.  
• Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure and confidentiality.  
• Ability to work independently and/or with team environment while handling multiple tasks and changing priorities with attention to detail.  
• Ability to support controversial positions, negotiation of sensitive issues and/or presentations with internal and external stakeholders.  
• Ability to develop, understand, interpret, and apply rules, policies, and procedures operations.  

 CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must pass a drug test, criminal history background check, employment history verification, and social security number verification check.

SAFETY  

• Ensure equipment is in safe operating condition; perform preventive maintenance on tools and equipment, as appropriate and/or notify leadership immediately of needed repairs.  
• Follow established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties, including lifting and climbing; operate tools and equipment according to established safety procedures. 
• Promptly report unsafe conditions in the work area and/or any conditions that are not immediately correctable to leadership.  

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS  

• Safety Sensitive (Subject to random drug testing): No. 
• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals. 
• Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting. 
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching. 
• Lifting: Lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds). 
• Environment: Works in an office setting; occasionally requires irregular and/or prolonged hours. 
• Travel: Travel to City of Denton buildings and professional meetings as required. 
• Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position. Must be able to work after normal business hours, holidays, and weekends, as needed. Must be able to work overtime, as needed. Ability to travel within Denton and the surrounding region and attend evening or occasional weekend meetings as needed. Occasional out-of-state travel may be required.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions. 

 
CORE VALUES 

• Inclusion 
• Collaboration 
• Quality Service 
• Strategic Focus 
• Fiscal Responsibility

TOP TIER BENEFITS 

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage in addition to life and disability insurance plans  
• Employee Health Clinic  
• Paid Vacation Days and Paid Holidays
• Retirement Plan  

 EEO STATEMENT  
The City of Denton is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the City of Denton to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any protected class, status, characteristic, or activity. All employment decisions, including decisions regarding recruitment, selection, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, advancement, discipline, discharge, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment are made without regard to any lawfully protected class, status, characteristic, or activity.  
 
ADA/EOE/ADEA
 
This job description is not an employment agreement, contract agreement, or contract.  Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.