Business and Economic Development Manager

Town of Huntersville; Huntersville (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Town of Huntersville is seeking a professional to perform economic development work focusing on business recruitment, downtown development, and local business growth. The role operates under the supervision of the Assistant Town Manager and involves coordinating with businesses, developers, and government partners.

The position emphasizes relationship-building, program planning, and grant research to support redevelopment and occupancy.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of economic and community development principles, including downtown development and small business support.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with business owners, developers, community stakeholders, elected officials, and the general public.
• Strong organizational and project management skills; ability to analyze information and support decision-making; ability to express ideas clearly.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary point of contact within the Town for businesses, developers, potential development sites and Commerce Station Industrial Park.
• Coordinates with businesses, developers, and property owners to provide area opportunities and information; serves as advocate for planning and development processes.
• Supports business recruitment and retention efforts, including responding to inquiries, preparing site information, business visits, issue identification, and follow-up coordination.
• Researches and administers grants and funding opportunities related to economic and downtown development and redevelopment initiatives.
• Supports efforts to reduce vacancy, recruits new businesses, and encourages reinvestment in existing buildings.
• Plans and implements programs, events, and initiatives that support business connection and growth.
• Coordinates with Town departments, regional partners, and local and state economic development agencies to align efforts and leverage resources.
• Identifies and supports economic development and downtown-focused groups or initiatives.
• Creates and maintains database of town businesses including key indicators such as primary contact, business activity, number of employees, vacancy, and public/private investment.
• Develops and maintains content for promotion of business and economic development efforts.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Economic development

Relationship building

Project management

Research and analysis

Written and verbal communication

Education

Public administration

Business

Planning

Economics

Job description

Performs professional economic development work focused on business recruitment, downtown development, local business growth and economic development initiatives. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Assistant Town Manager.

Anticipated first review of applications will be on October 2, 2026. The following duties are those considered most essential to the position. This does not preclude the delegation of other duties considered as necessary by management to successfully complete an assignment or project.

• Serves as the primary point of contact within the Town for businesses, developers, potential development sites and Commerce Station Industrial Park.
• Coordinates with businesses, developers, and property owners to provide area opportunities and information; serves as advocate for planning and development processes.
• Supports business recruitment and retention efforts, including responding to inquiries, preparing site information, business visits, issue identification, and follow-up coordination.
• Researches and administers grants and funding opportunities related to economic and downtown development and redevelopment initiatives.
• Supports efforts to reduce vacancy, recruits new businesses, and encourages reinvestment in existing buildings.
• Plans and implements programs, events, and initiatives that support business connection and growth.
• Coordinates with Town departments, regional partners, and local and state economic development agencies to align efforts and leverage resources.
• Identifies and supports economic development and downtown-focused groups or initiatives.
• Creates and maintains database of town businesses including key indicators such as primary contact, business activity, number of employees, vacancy, and public/private investment.
• Develops and maintains content for promotion of business and economic development efforts.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of economic and community development principles, including downtown development and small business support; ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with business owners, developers, community stakeholders, elected officials, associates, and the general public; strong organizational and project management skills; ability to analyze information and support decision-making; ability to express ideas effectively both verbally and in writing.

At least 4-6 years of experience in economic development, downtown development, small business support or local government. Degree in public administration, business, planning, economics or related field, or equivalent experience. Or a combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and skills to complete the essential functions and job responsibilities of this position.

Possession of an appropriate driver’s license valid in the State of North Carolina.This position’s physical requirements involve sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Additionally, the following physical abilities may be required: mental acuity, repetitive motion, speaking, and/or talking.

Work has no exposure to environmental conditions. Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office with computer printers, light traffic).

The Town of Huntersville is committed to providing equal opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), gender, national origin, religion, disability, military service or veteran status, genetic information or any other classification protected by applicable Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Town of Huntersville will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with Human Resources staff.