Business Development Director

Brookings Regional Growth Alliance; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Flexible work environment

Collaborative team

Background check

Job summary

Brookings Regional Growth Alliance is seeking an experienced Business Development Director to attract new businesses and investment to the Brookings region. You will lead the business development function, supervise the BD Specialist, and build relationships with site selectors, brokers, and stakeholders.

You'll drive strategies, manage multiple projects, and report progress to the CEO, helping shape regional economic development in Brookings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, business, public administration, or related field preferred.
• 3–5 years in economic development, business attraction, or related field.
• Strong relationship-building with business leaders, partners, and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of incentives and business development processes is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a pipeline of business development prospects.
• Serve as primary contact for businesses considering locating or expanding in the region.
• Coordinate site visits and follow-up; connect businesses with resources and incentives.
• Maintain CRM data and track progress toward goals.
• Lead the Business Development Specialist and manage department priorities.

Skills

Relationship-building

Lead development

Industry knowledge

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Salary: $70,000 - $85,000, depending on qualifications and experience

Work Schedule: Primarily 8am-5pm, with occasional evening and weekend involvement

Build Relationships. Create Opportunities. Help Grow the Brookings Region.

Location: Brookings, SD

Reports to: CEO

Salary: $70,000 - $85,000, depending on qualifications and experience

Status: Full-Time Exempt Benefits Eligible

Work Schedule: Primarily 8am-5pm, with occasional evening and weekend involvement

Build Relationships. Create Opportunities. Help Grow the Brookings Region.

Brookings Regional Growth Alliance is seeking an experienced business development professional to serve as our Business Development Director and lead efforts to attract new businesses and investment to the Brookings region. The ideal candidate will bring economic development experience, particularly in business attraction and lead development, along with a strong ability to build relationships and develop new opportunities.

This is a highly visible role for someone who understands the business attraction process and enjoys turning leads into opportunities. You'll identify and develop business prospects, build relationships with companies and site selection professionals, coordinate site visits and follow-up, and connect businesses with the information, resources, locations, and incentives they need to evaluate the Brookings region.

Working closely with the CEO and regional partners, you'll help shape and execute short- and long-term economic development strategies while maintaining an active pipeline of business attraction opportunities. You'll also build relationships with local, regional, and state partners, commercial brokers, governmental entities, and other stakeholders who play an important role in generating leads and advancing economic development opportunities.

The Business Development Director also leads the organization's business development function, supervises the Business Development Specialist, and is accountable for measurable progress toward the Growth Alliance's business development goals. We're looking for someone who combines economic development expertise with strong relationship-building skills, initiative, strategic thinking, and consistent follow-through.

What You'll Do

Drive Business Attraction & Growth

• Recruit new businesses and industries to the Brookings region and support opportunities that retain and expand primary jobs.
• Develop and manage an active pipeline of business development prospects and opportunities.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for businesses considering locating or expanding in the region.
• Manage prospect and client relationships from initial conversations through site visits, follow-up, and ongoing development.
• Identify business needs and connect prospects with appropriate resources, partners, properties, and opportunities.
• Maintain current information on available sites, utilities, workforce, and other community resources important to business development.
• Help businesses understand and navigate applicable local, regional, and state incentives.
• Maintain accurate and timely prospect, project, and follow-up information within the organization's CRM.

Build Strategic Relationships

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local businesses, economic development partners, governmental entities, site selection consultants, commercial brokers, and other key stakeholders.
• Represent the Brookings region professionally with prospective businesses, partners, and community leaders.
• Coordinate with the CEO on short- and long-term economic development strategies and priorities.
• Work collaboratively across the Growth Alliance to connect business development efforts with broader organizational and community initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted resource to businesses and partners by providing timely communication, reliable follow-through, and thoughtful problem solving.

Lead & Deliver Results

• Establish and track business development goals, activities, pipeline progress, and key performance measures.
• Translate organizational priorities into clear business development plans and next steps.
• Provide the CEO with regular updates on business development activity, opportunities, progress, and emerging needs.
• Manage multiple projects, commitments, and deadlines while maintaining strong follow-through with prospects and partners.
• Lead and support the Business Development Specialist in achieving departmental goals and priorities.
• Provide clear direction and maintain regular communication to keep departmental work coordinated and moving forward.
• Manage the Business Development budget and related resources responsibly.
• Evaluate progress and adjust strategies and priorities as business and community needs evolve.

What You'll Bring

• A bachelor's degree in economic development, public administration, business, or a related field is preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience will be considered.
• 3-5 years of relevant experience in economic development, business attraction, B2B sales, corporate real estate, or a related field. Economic development experience, particularly in business attraction and lead development, is preferred.
• Experience developing relationships and working with business leaders, community partners, governmental entities, or other stakeholders.
• Knowledge of economic development incentives and the business development process is strongly preferred.
• An understanding of the needs and challenges of businesses, including start-ups, growing companies, and established employers.
• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships.
• Strong follow-through and a track record of taking ownership of commitments from beginning to completion.
• Comfort using CRM systems, databases, and performance metrics to organize work and demonstrate progress.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, take initiative, and work effectively with confidential business information.
• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience is preferred.

You'll Thrive in This Role If You...

• Genuinely enjoy meeting people, developing relationships, and creating connections that lead to opportunities.
• Are energized by the challenge of attracting businesses and helping companies see what the Brookings region has to offer.
• Take initiative, identify opportunities, and keep projects and priorities moving forward.
• Are known for strong follow-through, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
• Balance relationship building with a results-oriented approach to managing prospects, priorities, and business development goals.
• Communicate proactively and keep leadership and team members informed of progress, opportunities, and challenges.
• Can move comfortably between conversations with CEOs, site selectors, government partners, local business owners, and internal team members.
• Enjoy leading others and creating clarity around goals, responsibilities, and priorities.
• Value collaboration and recognize that successful economic development depends on strong partnerships inside and outside the organization.

What We Offer

Salary Range: $70,000- $85,000 depending on experience and qualifications

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support our team members both professionally and personally. Benefits may include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-supported retirement plan
• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and sick leave
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Flexible work environment, with occasional evening or weekend event support
• A collaborative team environment and the opportunity to contribute directly to the economic growth and future of the Brookings region.
• As part of our hiring process, final candidates will complete a standard post-offer background check

About Brookings Regional Growth Alliance

Brookings Regional Growth Alliance is dedicated to advancing economic opportunity, community development, and tourism throughout our region. Through strategic partnerships, business development, events, marketing, and outreach, we work to strengthen the Brookings region as a vibrant place to live, work, visit, and invest.

As Business Development Director, you'll have the opportunity to build relationships that matter, help businesses discover what's possible in Brookings, and play a direct role in creating economic opportunities for the region.