Economic Development & Government Affairs Associate

Killam Co; Laredo (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading economic development firm in Texas is seeking an Economic Development & Government Affairs Associate to identify and advance economic development tools to support community growth. The role requires over 10 years of experience in economic development or corporate real estate. Key responsibilities include leading recruitment efforts, managing business relationships, and collaborating with stakeholders. A bachelor's degree is required with a preference for an MBA or similar degrees. Excellent negotiation and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Must have at least ten (10) years in economic development, corporate real estate, or related roles.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies for deploying economic development tools.
• Lead business recruitment efforts across different industry sectors.
• Identify and manage relationships with local businesses.
• Research community impact on development efforts.
• Support economic research to advance business growth.
• Negotiate development grants, loans, and investment packages.
• Engage with stakeholders to align regional interests.
• Build relationships with governmental and community leaders.
• Utilize economic data and market trends for opportunities.
• Oversee real estate and site development programs.
• Collaborate on economic development projects.
• Manage Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone agreements.
• Lead partnerships with Municipal Management Districts.
• Seek new business opportunities through networking.
• Participate in local government and community events.
• Work collaboratively across departments.

Skills

Proficient in Windows operating systems and associated software

High level negotiation skills

Ability to lead and manage complex projects

Experience with city, county, state, and federal agencies

Strong oral and written communication skills

Ability to work with community and governmental leaders effectively

Knowledge of trends in economic development

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (MBA, Economics, Public Policy)

Certified Economic Developer (CEcD)

Job description

Description

The Economic Development & Government Affairs Associate is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and advancing real estate economic development tools and assets covered by these tools to leverage expertise in public-private partnerships, incentives, market intelligence, and strategic relationships. This role focuses on maximizing project feasibility, long‑term value, and community alignment while supporting the company’s growth and development objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develops, assists, and helps with negotiating long‑term strategies for deploying economic development tools to assist with development and construction growth plans
• Lead business recruitment and development efforts for the company across different industry sectors.
• Identify existing industries with expansion efforts and manage relationships with local businesses.
• Research community impact on development efforts to ensure business goals are accomplished.
• Support economic research to advance business growth.
• Negotiate business development grants, loans, and investment packages with local, state, or federal government.
• Engage with stakeholders, including government officials, educators, and community leaders to align regional interests.
• Build and maintain relationships with governmental, community, and business leaders to facilitate development projects.
• Utilize economic data, GIS mapping, and market trends to identify prime locations and economic opportunities.
• Oversee, direct, and monitor real estate and site development programs to ensure compliance with company goals.
• Collaborate with internal departments on economic development projects.
• Manage current and future Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) agreements.
• Lead Municipal Management Districts (MMD) partnerships and Municipal Utility Districts (MUD) and any other special districts or economic development tools
• Actively seek new business opportunities through networking and outreach.
• Participate in town hall meetings, City Council, Planning and Zoning, MPO, State and Federal meetings, non‑profits, conferences, workshops and community development events to establish and build business networks.
• Work collaboratively with team members and across departments.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

Bachelor’s degree required, with master’s degree (MBA, Economics, Public Policy) preferred. Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) preferred.

Experience

Must have at least ten (10) years in economic development, corporate real estate, business finance, or related roles.

Skills

• Proficient in Windows operating systems and associated software
• High level negotiation skills
• Ability to lead, present to executives or public boards, and manage complex projects
• Experience working with city, county, state, and federal agencies
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work with community and governmental leaders effectively
• Knowledge of trends, developments, and techniques in the field of economic development

Licenses/Certifications

Must have a current driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.

Physical Requirements

• Sit for long periods of time while gathering, updating, and validating vendor or supplier cost information or performing other related activities.
• Lift 10–20 lbs. of files, plans, office supplies, or similar items.
• Constantly uses fingers and hands when dialing/answering the telephone and operating a computer or other office machinery, such as a copy machine, scanner, and computer printer.
• Ability to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information through verbal communications in person or detect objects in and around job site over the telephone.
• Average, ordinary visual acuity necessary to prepare or inspect documents; operate a computer or other office machinery; or.
• Walk short distances on slippery, even, and/or uneven surfaces.
• Stand, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, turn, or crawl.

Working Conditions

• Majority of work is performed in an office atmosphere located inside a building, with building inspections as needed.
• May require infrequent job site visits involve performing work in outdoor weather conditions with exposure to extreme cold, heat, and noise depending upon project site.
• Travel locally and between cities where development is in progress will be expected.

Other Requirements

• Adhere to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, professionalism, and discretion.
• Project a courteous, professional and positive approach with clients, subcontractors, employees, and authorizing agencies while providing prompt, efficient, and accurate assistance.
• Follow and exchange basic instructions, information, and guidelines.
• Direct and instruct sub‑contractors effectively with a leadership style that is firm, fair, consistent, and goal‑oriented.
• Nurture a working environment which encourages employee loyalty, longevity, and satisfaction.
• Creates a culture of customer satisfaction.
• Make independent decisions based on experience or knowledge with minimal supervision.
• Participate in training and development opportunities offered to maintain construction‑related software and safety knowledge.
• Communicate and comprehend instructions/directions in accordance with safety requirements, which necessitates no language barriers exist between employees and supervisors.
• Adhere to and perform functions according to company and OSHA safety guidelines.
• Wear personal protective equipment as required such as steel‑toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, hard hat, vest, and the like while conducting job site visits.
• Maintain regular, timely, and predictable attendance.