Senior Economic Development Planner – Special Initiatives

Houston-Galveston Area Council; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 62,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston-Galveston Area Council seeks a seasoned professional in economic development and regional planning to lead strategic initiatives and manage multi-stakeholder projects.

You will analyze regional data, pursue funding opportunities, and guide grant applications from concept through reporting, collaborating with local governments and partners to advance broadband, resilience, and infrastructure priorities.

Qualifications

• Five or more years in economic development, regional planning, or related field.
• Experience managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience researching, developing, and managing grant applications.
• Experience leading planning studies or community development projects.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation and coordination of strategic initiatives (broadband, resilience, infrastructure).
• Analyze regional data, identify needs, and develop strategies to improve services and opportunities.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities aligned with priorities.
• Lead development of grant applications, budgets, and work plans with partners.
• Provide oversight of awarded grants, including reporting and performance tracking.
• Coordinate regional broadband and related initiatives with governments, institutions, and partners.
• Prepare professional reports and planning documents for leadership and stakeholders.

Skills

Economic development

Regional planning

Grant development

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Communication

GIS

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

GIS

Job description

About Houston-Galveston Area Council

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country with a diverse service area of 13 counties and more than 7 million people. We are the pulse of our region addressing issues that cross city limits and county lines every single day.

We make decisions that affect our transportation system, ensure the safety and well-"-being of our seniors, connect people to jobs, help families recover from natural disasters, preserve water quality for our children, and so much more. We work to make the region a great place to live, work, and thrive.

What will I be doing?

• Lead implementation and coordination of strategic initiatives, including broadband, digital opportunity, resilience, infrastructure, and other Board or departmental priorities.
• Analyze regional data, identify emerging needs and opportunities, and develop strategies that improve services, expand economic opportunity, and strengthen regional competitiveness.
• Identify, evaluate, and pursue federal, state, philanthropic, and private funding opportunities that align with organizational and regional priorities.
• Lead development of competitive grant applications, including project narratives, budgets, work plans, supporting documentation, and coordination with internal and external partners.
• Provide strategic oversight of awarded grants by coordinating compliance activities, reporting requirements, performance tracking, and collaboration with Finance and project teams.
• Coordinate implementation of the Texas Regional Broadband Plan (TRBP) and related telecommunications initiatives by working collaboratively with local governments, state agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector partners.
• Support implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) by advancing priority projects, initiatives, and collaborative regional efforts.
• Lead consulting engagements, economic development planning projects, and special initiatives for local governments, public agencies, and regional partners.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with local governments, economic development organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, businesses, utilities, and state and federal agencies.
• Identify opportunities for regional collaboration, joint initiatives, and multi-jurisdictional funding strategies that leverage public and private resources.
• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate regional meetings, workshops, conferences, advisory committees, peer exchanges, and other stakeholder engagement activities that strengthen partnerships and advance H-GAC priorities.
• Represent H-GAC at local, regional, state, and national meetings, conferences, advisory committees, public events, and collaborative initiatives.
• Prepare professional reports, planning documents, grant applications, presentations, briefing materials, and recommendations for leadership, partner organizations, elected officials, boards, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor emerging legislation, funding opportunities, policy trends, and industry best practices related to economic development, broadband, strategic initiatives, and regional planning.

Key Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, regional planning, public administration, project management, grant development, consulting, broadband, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience researching, developing, and managing competitive grant applications and funding strategies.
• Experience leading planning studies, consulting engagements, strategic initiatives, or community development projects.
• Strong research, analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate complex issues and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, presentations, grant proposals, and briefing materials for diverse audiences.
• Strong facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and organizational priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications; experience with GIS, data visualization, project management software, or grant management systems is desirable.

Do you have…

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy, Community Development, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience working with local government, nonprofit organizations, regional planning, economic development, project management, grant administration, consulting, or related responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy, Community Development, or a related field.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, planning, consulting, grant strategy, strategic initiatives, or regional collaboration.
• Experience managing federally funded programs and pursuing funding from agencies such as the Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), or other federal and state funding programs.
• Experience supporting broadband, digital opportunity, resilience, infrastructure, or community development initiatives.
• Professional certification such as the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Grant Professional (CGP), or similar credential.
• Experience working with councils of governments, regional planning organizations, economic development organizations, or other public-sector entities.
• In-depth understanding of local, state, and federal economic development policies and regulations.
• Established connections with key industry stakeholders, government agencies, and community organizations.

Salary Range- $62,000.00-$72,000.00

All employees of H-GAC are required to reside within the agency’s region of service to support our commitment to excellence in serving our region.

H-GAC is an Equal Opportunity/ADA Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

All employees of H-GAC are required to reside within the agency’s region of service to support our commitment to excellence in service of our region.

H-GAC is an equal opportunity/ADA employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or protected veteran status.