Vice President of Economic Development

Laredo Economic Development Corporation; Laredo (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Laredo Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) is seeking a Vice President of Economic Development to drive business attraction, retention and long-term growth in the Laredo region. This senior role reports to the President & CEO and collaborates with companies, site selectors, developers and public-sector partners.

You will advance initiatives across manufacturing, logistics, energy and international trade.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in economic development, business recruitment, governmental relations or related fields.
• Proven project-management, planning, analytical, communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to engage credibly with CEOs, executives, site selectors and community leaders.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Professional economic-development certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute initiatives to generate business investment, job creation and growth.
• Report to the President & CEO; collaborate with companies, site selectors and partners.
• Lead projects from prospect identification through recruitment, location and implementation.
• Use CRM, data analytics and AI tools to improve research and execution.
• Identify opportunities; prepare RFIs, RFPs, proposals and site visits.
• Drive attraction, retention and expansion with corporate leaders and investors.
• Coordinate with governmental, workforce and education partners on incentives and infrastructure.
• Represent LEDC at meetings and conferences across Texas, Mexico and beyond.

Skills

Economic development

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication

Negotiation

Relationship-building

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Economics/Business/Public Administration/Urban Planning/Economic Development

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Salesforce

ChatGPT

Claude

Job description

Job Title: Vice President of Economic Development

Focus: Business Recruitment & Retention

Job Description

Would you like to help write the story of Laredo, here at the center of the North American supply chain? The Laredo Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) is seeking an experienced, energetic and forward-thinking economic development professional to serve as Vice President – Economic Development. This is an opportunity to harness your skills in business attraction, recruitment and retention where international trade, manufacturing, logistics, energy, technology and the rapidly evolving North American supply chain all converge. Laredo has emerged as one of North America’s great trade gateways. And today, the LEDC seeks to leverage that extraordinary position to attract new investment, diversify the regional economy and create the next generation of opportunities for Laredo and Webb County. We are looking for someone who wants to help lead that transformation.

The Organization

We are building an economic development organization for the future—one that combines relationships and traditional economic-development expertise with data, technology, artificial intelligence, strategic marketing and disciplined execution. Founded in 1966, the LEDC promotes and fosters the economic and industrial development of Laredo and Webb County. The LEDC collaborates with public and private-sector leadership, developers, investors, educational institutions, workforce organizations, along with local, state and federal agencies to attract investment, support existing businesses and strengthen the regional economy.

Your Role

As Vice President, you will be a senior member of the LEDC team responsible for developing and executing initiatives that generate business investment, job creation and long-term economic growth. This is both a strategic and hands-on position. The successful candidate will report directly to the President & CEO, working directly with companies, site selectors, developers, investors and public-sector partners, helping move projects from initial prospect identification through recruitment, negotiation, location and implementation.

• Employ business analytic skills to monitor economic and industry trends, maintain disciplined prospect and project information employing CRM, data analytics and AI tools to improve research, prospecting and execution.
• Identify prospective companies and investment opportunities; prepare and coordinate RFIs, RFPs, proposals, presentations, prospect visits and site tours.
• Target and execute business attraction, retention and expansion initiatives and cultivate relationships with corporate executives, site selectors, developers and investors.
• Work with governmental, workforce and education partners on incentives, infrastructure, talent and other project requirements.
• Advance strategic initiatives involving manufacturing, logistics, international trade, energy, infrastructure, emerging technology and other targeted industries.
• Represent LEDC at business meetings, industry conferences, trade missions and economic-development events throughout Texas, Mexico and beyond.

Your Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of economic-development experience, business judgment, relationship‑building ability and entrepreneurial drive. We want someone comfortable moving between the boardroom, a manufacturing facility, a government office, a prospect meeting and an international trade conference—and who can translate opportunities into action.

• Significant experience in economic development, business recruitment, governmental relations, public‑sector incentives, workforce development or related fields.
• Proven project‑management, strategic‑planning, analytical, communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Ability to engage credibly with CEOs, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, site selectors, investors, developers, elected officials and community leaders.
• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business, Public Administration, Urban Planning, Economic Development or a related discipline required; advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Professional economic-development certification, or significant progress toward certification is strongly preferred.
• Working proficiency with Microsoft Office and Excel, CRM platforms such as Salesforce, and modern AI tools including ChatGPT, Claude or comparable platforms is highly desirable.

Your Mission

If you want to help build what comes next for Laredo and one of North America’s most important economic regions, let us hear from you.