Business and Trade Development (EDCII)

State of Nebraska; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

State retirement 156%

Tuition reimbursement

Health insurance includes Dental &

Life insurance $20,000

PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness)

Career advancement opportunities

Training & development

Job summary

The State of Nebraska is seeking to strengthen the economy by promoting Nebraska exports and recruiting investment. The Business and Trade Development team focuses on global promotion of Nebraska products, especially agricultural goods, and helping Nebraska businesses grow within the state.

Join a mission-driven agency offering comprehensive benefits, strong retirement; opportunities for professional growth, training, and advancement through public service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline and two years of related experience.
• Experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Preferred: BA/BS in business, marketing, economics, planning; international experience; understanding of ag production.

Responsibilities

• Promote Nebraska-grown products worldwide with agricultural cooperators.
• Arrange promotional trips and trade missions; schedule meetings and negotiations.
• Identify prospects, develop leads, and close negotiations for relocation/expansion.
• Prepare presentations on Nebraska incentives for business.
• Respond to information requests and assist communities with proposals.
• Coordinate with embassy systems and federal partners to promote US products.
• Host inbound trade missions and engage with officials.
• Collaborate with officials and leaders including Fortune 500, entrepreneurs, site selection consultants.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strong communication

Presentation skills

Travel readiness

Team collaboration

Research and analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree - any discipline

Preferred business/marketing/economics/planning degree

Tools

MS Office

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

At the State, we stand by our core values of treating others with dignity and respect, acting ethically in all situations, and creating an environment where our customer is our top priority.

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

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.