Regional Economic Development Director

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first work model

Professional development opportunities

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is seeking a Regional Economic Development Director to represent the agency across an assigned Wisconsin region. This remote-first role focuses on connecting businesses and communities with resources, guiding development projects, and building partnerships to drive economic growth.

Based in Wisconsin and traveling more than 30% statewide, you will advise stakeholders, manage regional accounts, review investments, and collaborate with internal

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in economics, urban and regional studies, urban planning, or related field.
• Ten or more years of experience in economic development, community development, or a related field.
• Must reside within the assigned region, which includes multiple Wisconsin counties.
• Strong project management, relationship-building, and customer service skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Frequent statewide travel, including overnight travel (more than 30%).
• Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to businesses, communities, and economic development partners within the assigned region.
• Identify and support development opportunities through strategic consultation and resource deployment.
• Manage a portfolio of regional accounts and build strong relationships with local stakeholders and partner organizations.
• Review projects and provide recommendations related to economic and community development investments.
• Assist businesses and communities with financing strategies, program implementation, and access to available resources.
• Monitor project performance and support ongoing compliance and reporting activities.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to advance regional economic development goals.
• Represent WEDC at meetings, conferences, public events, and speaking engagements throughout the region.

Skills

Project management

Relationship-building

Customer service

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Independent work

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in economics, urban and regional studies, urban planning, or related field

Job description

Regional Economic Development Director

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)

Location: Remote (Wisconsin-based)

Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt

Reports To: Senior Economic Development Director

About WEDC

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) works with businesses, communities, and partners statewide to foster innovation, support job creation, and strengthen Wisconsin’s competitive position. Driven by a mission to make Wisconsin the best place to live, work, and build a business, WEDC is a purpose-driven organization that values integrity, collaboration, and forward-thinking solutions, and invests in its people so they can help invest in Wisconsin’s future.

WEDC is a Wisconsin-based organization with a remote-work-first environment. Remote work is expected to be performed in the state of Wisconsin.

Role Overview & Key Responsibilities

The Regional Economic Development Director serves as the primary WEDC representative for communities and businesses within an assigned region of Wisconsin. This role helps drive economic growth by connecting organizations with resources, providing strategic guidance, managing development projects, and building strong partnerships with local, regional, and statewide stakeholders.

The assigned territory includes Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marquette, Menominee, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago counties.

In this role, you will:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to businesses, communities, and economic development partners within the assigned region
• Identify and support business and community development opportunities through strategic consultation and resource deployment
• Manage a portfolio of regional accounts and build strong relationships with local stakeholders and partner organizations
• Review projects and provide recommendations related to economic and community development investments
• Assist businesses and communities with financing strategies, program implementation, and access to available resources
• Monitor project performance and support ongoing compliance and reporting activities
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to advance regional economic development goals
• Represent WEDC at meetings, conferences, public events, and speaking engagements throughout the region

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in economics, urban and regional studies, urban planning, community development, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Ten or more years of experience in economic development, community development, or a related field
• Must reside within the assigned region, which includes Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marquette, Menominee, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago counties
• Experience working with businesses, communities, financial partners, and economic development organizations
• Strong project management, relationship-building, and customer service skills
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Frequent statewide travel, including overnight travel (more than 30%)
• Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation required

Benefits

WEDC is committed to supporting the well-being and growth of our team. We offer a remote-first work environment that promotes work-life balance, supported by generous paid time off (PTO) and a culture that values flexibility. Professional development is a priority at WEDC, and we invest in our employees through dedicated training resources, internal learning opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and support for professional certifications. In addition to these development-focused offerings, employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System; a hybrid work allowance; and health, dental, vision, and life insurance.

WEDC DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING STATEMENT

WEDC must be a diverse and inclusive organization reflective of the businesses, communities, and people in Wisconsin and beyond. We believe that diversity drives innovation and commit to create an inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace where our differences are celebrated as drivers of our organization’s performance.

TO SUPPORT A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE AT WEDC, WE WILL WORK TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING GOALS:

• Increase WEDC’s racial diversity, specifically with Black/African American, Native American and Latinx populations;
• Increase LGBTQ representation across WEDC; and
• Increase the diversity of WEDC’s leadership.

TO MEET OUR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION GOALS, WEDC WILL TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

• Create an intentional approach to recruit minority candidates by using targeted media channels to promote open positions;
• Ensure formal offers are made only after a diverse pool of candidates have been considered at each hiring stage;
• Identify and develop a variety of employee resource groups, including groups for African Americans, Hispanics and Latinos, LGBTQ+ and more;
• Post signage to highlight WEDC’s commitment to diversity and inclusion; and
• Revisit EEO disclosures in our application process to highlight statements regarding WEDC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution and EEO/Affirmative Action Employer committed to excellence through diversity. Employment offers are made on the basis of qualifications, and without regard to race, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

Veteran Declaration

Applicants for employment are invited to participate in affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment.

PROTECTED VETERAN DEFINITION

Protected veteran means a veteran who may be classified as an active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, disabled veteran, Armed Forces service medal veteran or recently separated veteran.

Active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

Armed Forces service medal veteran means any veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985 (61 FR 1209, 3 CFR, 1996 Comp., p. 159).

Disabled veteran means (1) a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or (2) a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

Recently separated veteran means a veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service.

Hispanic or Latino - A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.

White (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.

Black or African American (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands.

Asian (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian Subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand and Vietnam.

American Indian or Alaska Native (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment.

Two or more races (not Hispanic or Latino) - All persons who identify with more than one of the above races.