Business and Trade Development (EDCII)

son; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

Sick leave and vacation accrual

Retirement plan with state match

Tuition reimbursement

Health insurance plans (employer paid)

Job summary

Economic Development - Agency 72 is seeking a Business and Trade Development professional to strengthen Nebraska's economy by promoting exports and attracting investments.

The role includes organizing trade missions, engaging with international partners, and supporting communities with proposals and incentives to grow Nebraska businesses.

Qualifications

• Minimum: Bachelor's degree in any discipline and two years of related experience (education may be substituted year-for-year).
• Preferred: degree in business administration, marketing, economics, community or regional planning, or related field; international experience.

Responsibilities

• Promote Nebraska-grown products globally through agricultural cooperator groups.
• Arrange promotional trips and assist with trade missions by coordinating meetings and negotiations with foreign agencies.
• Identify prospects, develop leads, and close negotiations for relocation or expansion in Nebraska.
• Prepare presentations on Nebraska incentives and advantages for prospective businesses.
• Respond to information requests and proposals and assist communities in responding to RFPs.
• Coordinate with US embassy and federal partners to promote Nebraska products abroad.
• Host inbound trade missions and engage with officials and stakeholders.

Skills

Strong communication

Public speaking

Independent worker

Cross-cultural liaison

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree (any discipline)

Preferred: business/marketing/economics/planning related degree

Job description

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency: Economic Development - Agency 72

Location: Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate: $27.028

Job Posting: JR2026-00029142 Business and Trade Development (EDCII) (Open)

Job Description

As part of the Business and Trade Development Team, your mission will be to strengthen the economy of Nebraska. The Business and Trade Development team works to recruit investment into the state and to promote Nebraska exports around the globe. Teammates will focus on promoting exports of Nebraska's agricultural products overseas and helping Nebraska businesses to grow in the state.

Look at what we have to offer!

• 13 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediately
• Military leave
• 156% (that's not a typo!) state-matched retirement
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance program
• 79% employer paid health insurance plans
• Dental and vision insurance plans
• Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government
• Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the State
• Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
• Training and Development based on your career aspirations
• Fun, inviting teammates
• A safe and secure environment

Job Duties

• Work with agricultural cooperator groups to promote Nebraska-grown products throughout the world.
• Arrange promotional trips for Nebraska agricultural products. Assist with trade missions, both outgoing and incoming, by scheduling meetings, receptions, and negotiation with foreign agencies. Provides follow-up responses to inquirers and visiting prospects.
• Identify prospects, develop leads, place out bound calls, and successfully close negotiations with targeted businesses for relocation or expansion in Nebraska.
• Prepare presentations for business prospects on Nebraska incentives and advantages to operating a business in Nebraska.
• Respond to requests for information and/or proposals and assist communities in responding to requests for proposals.
• Act as a resource for business leads developed during marketing and prospecting for the state.
• Coordinate with the US embassy system and federal departments to promote US products in foreign markets.
• Host inbound trade missions to the state.
• Work with officials and elected leaders to promote Nebraska. Work contacts include Fortune 500 C-suite, Entrepreneurs, Site Selection Consultants, foreign consulates, researchers, developers, elected officials, City and county officials, non-profit groups.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in any discipline related to the work assigned and two years of related experience. Experience may substitute for education on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, economics, community or regional planning, or a related degree. International experience; an understanding of production agriculture and the needs of Nebraska's farmers and ranchers; ability to work closely with and organize events for officials and elected leaders.

Other: This position will require significant travel both inside the state, and also in the US and internationally. As such, the incumbent must be able to present a valid driver's license or another form of reliable transportation. Regular and reliable attendance is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations; gather, analyze, and interpret industrial and economic information and trends
• Attention to detail
• Able to work independently
• Ability to research and transform technical issues and complex ideas into understandable information for communication to both individuals and groups
• Able to relate to a variety of persons and stakeholders with interests in industrial development
• Researching technical issues
• Able to assimilate data and prepare reports independently

Business and Trade Development Team Members will need to learn the following

• The industrial development process on the community level
• Factors considered by a company considering a plant location in Nebraska
• Project management procedures
• Understanding of agricultural production processes
• How to interface with federal and international partners in order to promote Nebraska products
• Planning and logistics of trade missions
• Accommodating inbound trade missions and guest visits from overseas