Project Manager – Team NEO

Ohio Economic Development Association; Toledo (OH); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

403(b) retirement plan

Paid time off and professional development opportunities

Job summary

Ohio Economic Development Association is looking for a Project Manager to work with economic development professionals in Toledo, Ohio. The role involves managing economic development projects and building strong relationships to help companies expand and retain their operations in Northeast Ohio.

This exempt position requires excellent communication skills and a bachelor’s degree, along with four years of related experience. The starting salary is $70K+, and there is a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of four years of business or related experience.
• Experience in financing and incentives is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist businesses in Northeast Ohio with expansion and retention.
• Manage project portfolios from conception to compliance.
• Deliver pitches for Ohio's strategic locations and workforce.
• Negotiate incentive deals with companies and community leaders.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Comfortable preparing and leading meetings

Self-motivated and team-oriented

Collaborative and detail-oriented

Client-service focused

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

About Team NEO:

Team NEO is the JobsOhio Network Partner for Northeast Ohio, working with economic development professionals across the region to entice companies to locate and retain their businesses in Ohio. The Project Management team oversees the full lifecycle of economic development projects and serves as the go-to experts on incentive programs that flow through the JobsOhio system.

Position Description:

Team NEO is seeking a Project Manager to serve as the front line with economic development professionals in the region, cultivating strong relationships while guiding both partners and companies through the JobsOhio/Team NEO project and incentive support process. This role leads and works on economic development projects designed to entice companies to locate and/or retain their businesses in Northeast Ohio, resulting in job creation and increased capital investment in the state of Ohio.

Project Managers vet and analyze opportunities, structure targeted assistance, and negotiate and advocate for incentives to create proposals that secure project wins. Following an offer, the team is deeply involved in incentive application review, contract execution, project announcements, post-deal compliance, and performance reporting. Team members serve as trusted advisors, negotiators, and facilitators, working holistically to help companies achieve their goals. Beyond JobsOhio incentives, they identify and leverage additional support available through Team NEO and its broader network of partners and stakeholders.

This is an exempt position reporting to the Managing Director, Project Management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist existing Northeast Ohio companies in expanding their business, and work with out-of-state and international prospects, in order to retain and create jobs and develop capital investments within the state of Ohio.
• Manage portfolios of projects from conception to compliance, ensuring all details are thorough and complete (e.g., contracts are accurate and executed in full).
• Follow up on leads of possible projects from a variety of sources.
• Meet with existing Northeast Ohio companies to assist in expansion strategies or dissuade them from relocating or expanding outside of Ohio.
• Work closely with businesses to discuss confidential business information (e.g., company financial information and strategic plans).
• Determine needs of companies and identify viable state and local programs and solutions.
• Deliver pitches (e.g., Ohio’s strategic locations, developed infrastructure, and highly educated and motivated workforce) to entice and assist companies in expansion or attraction efforts within Ohio.
• Structure recommendations to JobsOhio for incentive packages (e.g., tax credits, loans, and grants) and negotiate deals with company officials, community leaders, elected community officials, and state agencies.
• Meet with local agencies, communities, and companies as a technical expert on state incentive and financing programs.
• Act as an agent for a client company that wants to remain anonymous to provide site and building searches in Ohio.
• Serve as a liaison connecting key decision makers at state, local, and business levels to keep deals moving forward.
• Present projects before various approval bodies.
• Help companies through the various application processes.
• Participate in weekly and monthly status meetings with Team NEO staff.
• Attend meetings including JobsOhio Network Project Managers training meetings, JobsOhio and Network weekly calls, and approval body meetings.
• Participate in special projects such as revitalization programs and site selection initiatives.

Core Competencies & Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfortable preparing and leading meetings with companies, partners, and others.
• Comfort networking in peer groups.
• Self-motivated and team-oriented.
• Collaborative and detail-oriented.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Client-service focused.
• Functions well in a continually evolving environment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Four years of business or related experience.
• Financing and incentive acumen.
• Salesforce experience a plus.

Travel:

Travel is primarily in-region and to Columbus during the business day, although some early-morning and after-hours travel may be expected. Minimal overnight travel, primarily to Columbus. Access to a vehicle is required.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Starting salary $70K+, commensurate with experience.
• Competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions.
• Paid time off, holidays, and professional development opportunities.

Team NEO is firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, disability, military status, sexual orientation, or genetic information throughout the employment process. Team NEO expects all employees, vendors, and associates to support its nondiscriminatory policies.