Economic Development Manager

Nash County; Nashville (NC); On-site; USD 81,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Nash County is seeking an Economic Development Manager to support the Director in growing business across the County and coordinating marketing activities that promote industrial, commercial, and retail growth.

The role emphasizes outreach to government officials, business leaders, and community partners, with a focus on recruiting and retaining industries while guiding marketing and grant initiatives.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of marketable assets, tax policies, land use policies, local incentives, environmental regulations, and permitting processes.
• Theories and practices in business development, including economics, demographics, planning, finance, fundraising, marketing, real estate, and grant administration.
• Knowledge of federal/state laws, county/city ordinances, and department policies and procedures.
• Understanding interrelationships among County and governmental agencies.
• Familiarity with data gathering from research databases.

Responsibilities

• Supports the Economic Development Director in implementing the County’s economic development strategy, priorities, programs, and annual work plan.
• Coordinates commercial and retail development activities, including identifying opportunities, working with property owners and developers, conducting site visits, facilitating introductions, and coordinating with local officials and partner agencies.
• Supports industrial recruitment and expansion efforts, including prospect responses, site tours, property research, data preparation, and coordination with businesses and project partners.
• Acts as a liaison to existing businesses and BRE program; conducts business visits, identifies issues, and coordinates resources and follow-up.
• Manages assigned economic development projects, grants, incentives, agreements, and community initiatives from planning through completion.
• Coordinates the preparation of grant applications, project proposals, requests for information, business responses, and other materials.
• Leads department marketing and communications, including development of marketing strategies, promotional materials, website content, social media, digital campaigns, and real estate and business development marketing.
• Conducts and coordinates research related to demographics, labor force, workforce, real estate, industry trends, and other data; prepares reports, presentations, maps, and customized information.
• Plans and coordinates economic development events, meetings, tours, presentations, and community initiatives.
• Maintains effective working relationships with businesses, developers, property owners, elected officials, government agencies, community organizations, and economic development partners.
• Represents the department on committees, boards, and regional or statewide organizations as assigned by the Director.
• Assists with department budget development, goal setting, strategic planning, and program evaluation.
• Assists in ensuring compliance with applicable County policies, State and federal requirements, agreements, and procedures.

Skills

Communication skills

Data analysis

Relationship building

Public speaking

Confidentiality

Research skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration/Business Administration/Economics/Urban Studies/Regional Planning or related field

Tools

Research databases

Internet research

Computer literacy

Job description

Full Salary Range- $80,876.00 - $130,241.00 Annually

Anticipated Hiring Range - $80,876.00-$88,963.60 Annually

The Economic Development Manager supports the Director of Economic Development in driving business growth and vitality across Nash County, North Carolina. This position focuses on business recruitment (industrial, commercial, and retail), retention and expansion of existing industries, and coordination of marketing and promotional activities.

An employee in this class works closely with local, state, and other governmental officials, community leaders, and business representatives to promote economic growth in the County. The role requires extensive public contact, demanding tact, courtesy, strong public relations skills, and effective marketing approaches. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Economic Development Director and is evaluated through conferences, reports, progress on recruited businesses, and effectiveness in supporting retention and expansion of existing industries.

• Supports the Economic Development Director in implementing the County’s economic development strategy, priorities, programs, and annual work plan.
• Coordinates commercial and retail development activities, including identifying opportunities, working with property owners and developers, conducting site visits, facilitating introductions, and coordinating with local officials and partner agencies.
• Supports industrial recruitment and expansion efforts, including prospect responses, site tours, property research, data preparation, and coordination with businesses and project partners.
• Serves as a primary liaison to existing businesses and industries through the County’s Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) program; conducts business visits, identifies issues and opportunities, and coordinates appropriate resources and follow-up.
• Manages assigned economic development projects, grants, incentives, agreements, and community initiatives from planning through completion, including coordinating schedules, partners, budgets, reporting, and deliverables.
• Coordinates the preparation of grant applications, project proposals, requests for information, business responses, and other materials supporting economic development activities.
• Leads department marketing and communications, including development of marketing strategies, promotional materials, website content, social media, digital campaigns, and real estate and business development marketing.
• Conducts and coordinates research related to demographics, labor force, workforce, real estate, industry trends, and other economic development data; prepares reports, presentations, maps, and customized information for business prospects and community partners.
• Plans and coordinates economic development events, meetings, tours, presentations, and community initiatives.
• Maintains effective working relationships with businesses, developers, property owners, elected officials, government agencies, community organizations, and economic development partners.
• Represents the department on committees, boards, and regional or statewide organizations as assigned by the Director.
• Assists with department budget development, goal setting, strategic planning, and program evaluation.
• Assists in ensuring compliance with applicable County policies, State and federal requirements, agreements, and procedures related to economic development programs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of the County’s marketable assets, taxation policies, land use policies, local incentives, environmental regulations, and related permitting processes.
• Thorough knowledge of theories and practices in business development fields, including economics, demographics, planning, finance, fundraising, marketing, real estate, and grant administration.
• Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, county and town ordinances, and county department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the functional interrelationships among the County and other governmental agencies.
• Knowledge of computer operating systems, internet research, and skill in gathering data from various research databases.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral, written, and presentation formats.
• Ability to analyze data and situations accurately, provide sound recommendations, and deliver precise information for industrial and business projects.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with business owners, executives, public officials (local, state, and federal), contractors, community leaders, organizations, department heads, superiors, and employees.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

Desirable Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, Urban Studies/Regional Planning, Finance, Marketing, or a closely related field directly applicable to economic development.

Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development at the local, state, or regional level in the public, quasi-public, or private sector. An equivalent combination of education and direct experience may substitute for the stated minimum requirements.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license.
• NCCED (North Carolina Certified Economic Developer) certification or ability to obtain within a reasonable timeframe is preferred.