Business Attraction Advisor

Taleo; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 72,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave & Holidays

Retirement Plan

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

Montana Department of Commerce seeks a strategic Business Attraction Advisor to build relationships with prospective companies, site selectors, investors, and consultants, guiding the full pipeline from lead generation to deal closing.

The role requires strong sales, communication, and economic development expertise, with hybrid work from Montana; travel to events is expected.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated sales acumen with the ability to identify opportunities and drive successful outcomes.
• Proven ability to engage, influence, and build rapport with diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of community development, economic development principles and their application to business growth.
• Exceptional attention to detail and highly effective organizational skills.
• Enthusiastic and energetic about Montana business opportunities.
• Strong critical thinking abilities with sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Drive Montana’s business attraction strategy by targeting high value industries and national outreach.
• Build influential partnerships with site selectors, brokers, developers, utilities, and economic development orgs.
• Represent Montana at regional, national, and international events and deliver presentations highlighting competitiveness.
• Conduct market research, develop analyses, and prepare persuasive proposals for recruitment and deal closing.
• Provide strategic guidance to business owners and executives on expansion or relocation to Montana.
• Lead strategic planning, maintain lead databases, assess risks/opportunities, and shape statewide initiatives.
• Design and evaluate business programs, manage vendor partnerships, and prepare talking points for public engagements.

Skills

Sales acumen

Stakeholder engagement

Economic development

Attention to detail

Montana enthusiasm

Critical thinking

Job description

Job Description - Business Attraction Advisor (26142348)

Position Title:

Business Attraction Advisor - ( 26142348 )

About the Department

The Department of Commerce aims to make sure Montana is the best place to work, live and play. We work alongside private industry and local organizations to create jobs, grow businesses, develop affordable housing, and improve community infrastructure.

We uphold excellence, integrity, engagement, and innovation by delivering respectful, creative, and accountable service through collaborative, resilient teams. Rooted in a deep love for Montana, we proudly embody its authenticity, independence, and industry as we serve and partner with Montanans.

Help shape Montana’s economic future. The Montana Department of Commerce is seeking a strategic, relationship driven leader to attract new businesses, investment, and quality jobs to our state. This role is ideal if you thrive on building high level partnerships, driving business development, and promoting Montana’s competitive advantages on a national and international stage.

What You’ll Do

As the Business Attraction Advisor, you will build and maintain relationships with prospective companies, site selection consultants, investors, developers, foreign consuls, and entrepreneurs exploring opportunities in Montana. You will lead the full business attraction pipeline from identifying and generating leads, managing projects, and guiding site selection processes, to coordinating closely with state agencies and local economic development partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive Montana’s business attraction strategy by targeting high value industries, executing national outreach, and generating strong investment opportunities.
• Build influential partnerships with site selectors, brokers, developers, utilities, and economic development organizations to coordinate impactful outreach.
• Represent Montana at regional, national, and international events and deliver effective presentations that highlight the state’s competitive advantages.
• Conduct market research, develop competitive analyses, and prepare persuasive proposals to support business recruitment and deal closing efforts.
• Provide strategic guidance to business owners and executives on expanding or relocating their operations to Montana.
• Lead strategic planning efforts, maintain industry lead databases, assess risks and opportunities, and help shape statewide economic development initiatives.
• Design and evaluate business programs, manage vendor partnerships, and support leadership communications, including preparing talking points for public, press, and legislative engagements.

What are we looking for?

To thrive in this role from day one, you should demonstrate the following qualifying skills:

• Demonstrated sales acumen with the ability to identify opportunities and drive successful outcomes.
• Proven ability to engage, influence, and build rapport with diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of community development, community organizing, and economic development principles and their application to business growth.
• Exceptional attention to detail and highly effective organizational skills.
• Enthusiastic and energetic about Montana and the business opportunities it offers.
• Strong critical thinking abilities, with a talent for analyzing information and making sound judgments.

If you have a combination of the skills outlined above and a desire to serve Montanans, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits

• Work/life balance,
• Health coverage,
• Paid vacation and sick leave and holidays,
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness –Employmentwith the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.
• Health Insurance
• Paid Leave & Holidays
• Retirement Plan

Other important information to be aware of

Only online applications are accepted. By applying online, you can receive updates and monitor the status of your application.

This position allows for a hybrid work schedule from a remote location within the state of Montana. Weekly reporting to the office will be required. Specific conditions will be outlined as part of the job offer and must adhere to state policy. New employees may be required to complete training in person before hybrid work schedules begin.

This agency participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here.

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary

$80,000.00 - 90,000.00 Yearly Telework Eligibility : Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.) Benefits Package Eligibility : Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

1

Employee Status

Regular Schedule : Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 25 % of the Time

Primary Location

Billings

Other Locations

Missoula, Miles City, Glendive, Helena, Kalispell, Lewistown, Wolf Point, Glasgow, Bozeman, Great Falls

Agency

Department of Commerce

Union

000 - None

Posting Date

Sep 25, 2026, 9:13:13 PM

Closing Date

Ongoing

Required Application Materials

Cover Letter, Resume

Equal Opportunity Statement

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.