Economic Development Project Manager (Business Retention)

City of Marietta; Marietta (GA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Marietta is seeking a strategic economic development professional to expand business retention, recruitment, and data-driven insights. You will coordinate with city partners, analyze market trends, and present findings to stakeholders.

Responsibilities include outreach to businesses, site selection support, and collaboration with multiple city departments to improve efficiency and transparency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree as listed, or a Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience analyzing statistical data and explaining results to diverse audiences.
• Ability to create, present, and explain statistical information using Excel and related tools.
• Experience with city development ordinances and interdepartmental coordination.
• Strong communication skills and ability to present to public and civic groups.
• Willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a strategy for the City's business retention efforts.
• Interacts with business owners, developers, property owners, and brokers to engage stakeholders.
• Collects, organizes, and reports data to update business retention activities.
• Assists with site selection and data for recruiting new businesses.
• Provides research, summaries, and reports on economic and industry trends.
• Keeps current on economic development programs and tools for use with businesses.
• Produces external communications and marketing materials describing division activities.
• Liaises with state/local partners and other economic development entities.
• Represents the office at community meetings and events.
• Participates in redevelopment opportunities and small area planning processes.
• Develops presentations on division activity and Marietta economy.
• Collaborates with Economic Development and BLW on recruiting utility customers.
• Performs special projects and provides guidance to temporary interns.
• Supports other duties as assigned.

Skills

Urban planning

Economics

Public administration

Real estate

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in urban planning, Economics, Public/Business Administration, Real Estate or related field

Master's degree in urban planning, Public/Business Administration, Real Estate (preferred)

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Rate of Pay: Pay Based on Qualifications
Status: Open Until September 29, 2026

Under the direction of the Assistant City Manager for Economic and Project Development, this role primarily provides outreach and support to Marietta's existing commercial, office, and industrial businesses. Other responsibilities include conducting statistical and programmatic research, fulfilling requests for information, assisting in site selection requests, and performing special projects under the office's strategic plan.

Essential Job Functions:

• Develops and implements a strategy for the City's business retention efforts. This function includes, but is not limited to the following actions:
• • In coordination with the Assistant City Manager for Economic and Project Development, formulates a systematic process for engaging with Marietta's business owners, developers, property owners and real estate brokers. This includes developing innovative methods of engagement.
  • Interfaces with local businesses, by gathering firm information, understanding their challenges and concerns, helping develop solutions and connecting them to available resources.
  • Records, organizes, tracks and reports collected data to continually update business retention activities.
• Assists with efforts to recruit new businesses by providing a range of functions including site selection and data.
• Provides research, analysis, statistical summaries, and reports concerning the City's economic and industry makeup. This should include tracking development both residential and commercial, market trends, workforce, and demographic information, etc.
• Maintains a knowledge and understanding of economic development programs and tools with the ability to bring this knowledge to bear with businesses and departmental colleagues.
• Produces and contributes to external communications, website content, marketing materials, and other products that communicate the activities of the division to existing and prospective businesses/developers, other City staff, elected officials and the general public.
• Serves as a liaison to state and local partners including, but not limited to, other economic development agencies, workforce and educational institutions, business associations, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
• Represents the office at various community meetings and functions.
• Attends committee and council meetings, economic development-related training seminars, etc. as necessary.
• Serves as an ombudsman by assisting businesses, property owners and developers with the development review process and coordinating with other City departments to contribute to efficiency and transparency.
• Identifies redevelopment opportunities and participates in the small area planning processes.
• Develops presentations concerning the activity of the division and the Marietta economy.
• Work with Economic Development team and BLW on efforts to recruit utility customers.
• Conducts special projects on behalf of the Department and City.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Provides direction or assistance to temporary interns as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, Economics, Public/ Business Administration, Real Estate or related field and two years related experience or a master's degree in urban planning, Public/Business Administration, Real Estate and one-year related experience. Knowledge of real estate market research, economic development programs and practices, and City activities.
• Ability to analyze and interpret statistical data and the ability to explain them to a variety of audiences.
• Skill using a computer and various software applications including MS Office Suite (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) to compose business letters, reports, presentations, emails, and promotional materials. Skill in creating, interpreting, presenting and explaining statistical information using Excel and other related applications as appropriate.
• Ability to learn City development ordinances related to development issues.
• Ability in team building, both with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to develop positive relations with the public, business owners, and other City staff. Must be able to make formal public presentations to various business and civic groups.
• Must have flexibility of irregular schedule, including attending evening meetings and weekends, as necessary.

Disclaimer:

Successful candidates are required to submit to drug screen & background inquiry.