Director, Economic Development & Partnerships

Hampton Roads Alliance; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Hampton Roads Alliance is seeking a Director of Business Development to drive business attraction and expansion initiatives. You will manage projects from inquiry to closeout, coordinate with VEDP, localities, and partners, and maintain Salesforce records while building durable relationships with executives and consultants.

The role emphasizes strategic communication, materials preparation, and timely responses to prospects, with the ability to travel and work across regional partners.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of relevant experience in economic development, B2B sales, corporate business development, project management, site selection, commercial real estate, public administration, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of CRM systems; Salesforce experience strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in business, economics, public policy, planning, public administration, real estate, communications, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Serve as project manager for assigned business attraction and expansion projects from inquiry through response, site visit, follow-up, and closeout.
• Coordinate project responses with VEDP, localities, utilities, real estate partners, and internal staff, including RFIs, site/building options, workforce data, infrastructure information, incentives context, and customized materials.
• Translate project requirements into clear action items, deadlines, partner responsibilities, and decision points.
• Prepare concise project briefs, site visit agendas, prospect summaries, internal updates, and follow-up materials for leadership and partners.
• Coordinate site visits and prospect support, including agendas, partner participation, logistics, follow-up, and documentation of outcomes.
• Support existing company expansion projects when regional coordination, data response, site evaluation, or partner facilitation is needed.
• Build and maintain relationships with site selection consultants, brokers, VEDP staff, utility partners, developers, and regional stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate Salesforce records, project tracking, pipeline updates, and communications documentation.
• Support customized business cases, presentations, and strategic messaging.
• Learn and understand assigned target industries through research, meetings with subject matter experts, and/or by any other means necessary.
• Coordinate with the Business Intelligence team to respond to requests for information from prospects, brokers, site selection consultants, or other stakeholders.
• Interact with local economic development staff on a regular basis to ensure each locality is aware of the Alliance’s activities.
• Monitor industry trends and corporate announcements.

Skills

Communication

Public speaking

Project management

Organizational skills

B2B sales

Relationship building

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Hampton Roads Alliance is seeking a Director of Business Development to drive business attraction and expansion initiatives. You will manage projects from inquiry to closeout, coordinate with VEDP, localities, and partners, and maintain Salesforce records while building durable relationships with executives and consultants.

The role emphasizes strategic communication, materials preparation, and timely responses to prospects, with the ability to travel and work across regional partners.