Project Manager - Economic Development

Columbus Partnership; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Front‑row leadership role

Generous paid time off

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Downtown office with free parking

Mission‑driven team

Job summary

The Columbus Partnership is seeking a Project Manager - Economic Development to lead competitive development projects across the Columbus Region. You will coordinate proposals, site selections, incentive packages and deliverables while collaborating with state and local partners.

Ideal candidates are strategic, relationship‑oriented professionals who can manage complex projects, maintain confidentiality, and navigate multiple priorities to drive investment and job creation in Central Ohio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, economic development, real estate, business or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for competitive economic development projects.
• Strategically manage business attraction and expansion projects from inquiry to outcomes.
• Deliver high‑quality client service and manage milestones, approvals and deadlines.
• Prepare proposals, site portfolios and incentive packages with partners.
• Plan and execute site visits and deliver presentations and reports.

Skills

Research and analysis

Organization

Communication

Time management

Professionalism

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in planning/economic development/real estate/business

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Salesforce

Job description

The Columbus Partnership is a nonprofit organization of CEOs from Columbus’ leading businesses and institutions. Through our membership and other ally organizations across Central Ohio, the Partnership upholds a shared vision to make Columbus the most prosperous region in the country.

The Columbus Partnership also includes One Columbus, one of the nation’s top economic development teams that serves the 11-county Columbus Region; and Smart Columbus, a civic innovation lab that advances what is new and next at the intersection of technology and community good.

Can you imagine Columbus as the most prosperous region in the United States, where more and more people are able to improve their economic and social well‑being? We do, every day.

The Role

The Project Manager - Economic Development manages competitive economic development projects that support business attraction, expansion and investment across the Columbus Region. Serving as a primary point of contact for clients, consultants and economic development partners. The project manager leads opportunities through the full project lifecycle, coordinating proposals, site selection activities, incentive packages, site visits and other project deliverables to drive successful outcomes.

Working closely with state, regional and local partners, the project manager also supports strategic real estate and site development initiatives while delivering exceptional client service, managing multiple priorities and maintaining a high level of professionalism and confidentiality. This opportunity is ideal for a strategic, relationship‑oriented professional who excels at managing complex projects, delivering exceptional client service, navigating competing priorities and collaborating with diverse partners to drive meaningful economic development outcomes.

Reports to: VP, Corporate Investment

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for competitive economic development projects across the Columbus Region.
• Strategically manage business attraction and expansion projects from initial inquiry through successful outcomes.
• Deliver industry‑leading client service throughout the project lifecycle, including managing client communications, follow‑up, key milestones, approvals and deadlines.
• Develop and deliver high‑quality client proposals, site location portfolios, incentive packages and other project materials in collaboration with state and local economic development partners.
• Plan and execute company and consultant site visits to the Columbus Region, including developing agendas, coordinating stakeholders and delivering high‑quality presentations, reports and related materials.
• Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of the Columbus Region’s competitive assets, economic advantages, available sites and resources to strategically position the Region for capital investment and job creation opportunities.
• Develop a strong understanding of JobsOhio programs that support traditional economic development projects and assist with the execution of strategic programs, including SiteOhio, the Small Business Grant Program, Ohio Sites Inventory Program, Vibrant Communities and Revitalization.
• Manage and support strategic real estate development initiatives that strengthen the Columbus Region’s competitiveness for client projects.
• Cultivate strong working relationships with clients, consultants and state, regional and local economic development partners.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date records of contacts, leads and project activity within the CRM.
• Manage multiple projects and workstreams simultaneously while adapting to competing priorities, shifting timelines and client deadlines.
• Exercise sound professional judgment and maintain strict confidentiality when working with clients, prospects and collaborative partners.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning, economic development, real estate,
• business or a related field.
• 3+ years of relevant experience in economic development, including experience supporting existing
• industry and new business attraction projects.
• Strong understanding of economic development and business development principles, practices and
• project processes.

Keys Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated research and analytical skills with the ability to synthesize information, identify insights and support project strategy and decision‑making.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities, shifting deadlines and competing demands in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while demonstrating initiative, sound judgment and accountability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively engage clients, partners and internal and external stakeholders.
• High level of professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, Adobe Acrobat and Salesforce.
• Some travel around the Columbus Region will be required.
• The Columbus Partnership is an in‑person work environment based in Downtown Columbus.
• Currently, the workday starts no later than 9:00 a.m., but in this role you must be available at all times consistent with client expectations and project deadlines. The Columbus Region competes on a global scale for investment and jobs, which may require accommodating client time zone differences to fulfil you duties.
• Must be available to work for than 8 hours per workday and during off‑hours for client meetings, client entertainment, or to otherwise meet client expectations and project deadlines.
• Travel within or outside the Columbus Region will be required, including the operation of a motor vehicle and as well as air travel.

We Offer

• A front‑row leadership seat impacting our community’s future.
• Generous paid time off, parental leave and holidays.
• A 401(k) plan with an exceptional employer contribution.
• A modern downtown office with free parking.
• A high‑impact, mission‑driven team that’s doing big things for the Columbus Region.