Economic Development Project Manager, Northern Region

State-of-Indiana; Portage (IN); On-site; USD 64,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan options

Wellness rewards program

Paid leave

Education reimbursement

LinkedIn Learning access

Free parking

Job summary

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) seeks a dedicated Economic Development Project Manager for the Northern Region to lead expansion and business attraction initiatives. The role requires strong negotiation, relationship-building with regional partners, and active engagement with local governments and businesses.

The position covers the Northern Region of Indiana with primary residence in the Northwest or Northeast areas, offering a competitive salary and inclusive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent business experience.
• 1–3 years of experience in economic development or related field (preferred).
• International business development experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Manages and negotiates expansion and business attraction projects in the Northern Indiana Region.
• Builds and maintains relationships with economic development partners in the State and Northern Indiana.
• Visits local businesses and development organizations to assess needs and communicate program requirements.
• Monitors regional activities and reports to IEDC leadership; attends conferences and meetings on economic development.

Skills

Negotiation

Relationship building

Public speaking

Time management

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

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Economic Development Project Manager, Northern Region

Requisition ID: 486731

Location: Portage, IN, US, 46368

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Indiana Economic Development Corporation :

Bring your biggest and boldest ideas to life as an employee of the IEDC. We are a fast-paced and forward-thinking team charged with pursuing economic development opportunities for current and future Hoosiers in our state and around the world. Our culture embodies the spirit of being bold and working collaboratively to create the economy of the future.

The IEDC is organized as apublic privatepartnership led by the Secretary of Commerce and governed by a board chaired by the Governor of Indiana.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has been recognized as one of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Top Workplaces by Indianapolis Star.

Role Overview:

The Project Manager serves as the key Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) representative for select counties of the Northern Indiana Region. Responsible for management of IEDC projects within assigned areas of responsibility, with focus on negotiation of economic development deals taking place within assigned regions and fostering relationships with key partners and stakeholders.

The salary range for this position is $63,787 – $66,000, commensurate with education and work experience.

Location:

This role will be covering the entire Northern Region of the State of Indiana but will be primarily housed in one of two locations. The two permanent office locations are in the Northwest and Northeast regions (Northwest: 6100 Southport Road, Portage, IN 46368 and Northeast: 1st Source Center, 200 East Main Street, Suite 910, Fort Wayne, IN 46802). A requirement of this role is for your primary residence to be in either the Northwest or Northeast regions of the State of Indiana.

A Day in the Life:

• Manages and negotiates competitive expansion and business attraction projects as assigned with emphasis on attracting new companies, resulting in new job opportunities for Hoosiers;
• Builds and maintains relationships with economic development partners within the State and in particular within the Northern Indiana Region;
• Visits local businesses, local elected officials and development-related organizations to assess needs and identify opportunities for the IEDC and communicate requirements for assistance programs;
• Monitors activities within the assigned region and reports any items of interest/concern to IEDC leadership;
• Attend conferences, meetings and events concerning business development and related issues of economic development importance, particularly within Northern Indiana.
• Provide technical assistance to identify appropriate IEDC programs and complete the program applications for business attraction and expansion projects;
• Update the IEDC CRM database regularly with project and client related information;
• Provide general support to the Business Development leadership on projects as assigned

WhatYou’llNeed for Success:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent business experience including, but not limited to, the following fields: Economic Development, Community Development, Urban Planning, Real Estate Sales and/or Development, Sales/Business Development, or any of the Core industries listed below.

Experience:

• Appropriate business background, in particular with an emphasis of business deal negotiation and economic development / site selection;
• Preferred: In addition to the educational requirement, 1-3 years of experience in economic development or a related field;
• Preferred: International Business Development experience.

Knowledge of:

• Core industries to the State of Indiana such as aerospace and defense, manufacturing, life sciences, logistics, information technology, microelectronics, mobility
• General government-agency programs and processes;
• Economic development processes, sales processes, and Program Management processes;
• Regional community and business development organizations, including local government officials, economic development leaders, business executives, non-profit and community development organizations;
• Regional business climate and state economic development laws and trends;
• Indiana government structure, including general local government knowledge.

Ability to:

• Identify the leverage of each side in a business deal via analysis of the overall context within which the deal is taking place;
• Negotiate on behalf of the State of Indiana complex business transactions, optimizing the outcome for Hoosier taxpayers;
• Lead state and local economic development partners in presenting unified responses to company requests for proposals;
• Planning site tours for prospective clients including transportation, dining, special events/entertainment, meetings, and follow up;
• Analyze and evaluate needs of businesses and communities and effectiveness of IEDC and other state, public and private sector services to meet those needs;
• Travel frequently within the Northern Indiana Region and within the State, and on a limited basis, on IEDC sponsored/sanctioned domestic sales trips;
• Communicate clearly and directly both orally and in writing, including public speaking and presentations;
• Maintain residency within Northern Indiana, or willingness to locate within region;
• Maintain confidentiality;
• Manage time effectively by being prepared and prompt;
• Manage multiple tasks and projects with attention to detail and organizational skills while prioritizing workload; effectively operate as a member of a team;
• Operate computers and other technology using various suites of hardware and software, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Office, Outlook, CRM Databases, Adobe Acrobat and other relevant platforms and programs;
• Exercise tact and diplomacy when dealing with the public;

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b)account (similar to401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 160 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 16 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 192 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parkingfor most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learningaccess

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail] .