Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager

The City of Eugene's Community Development Division is actively seeking candidates to fill the role of Business Development Manager to perform a variety of economic development duties. This position will lead efforts to establish and grow economic development initiatives. The Business Development Manager will play a key role in establishing and building relationships with Eugene's regional partners and the business community. The successful individual will work to expand firms within targeted economic sectors and support the creation of living-wage jobs.

We are seeking a collaborative and enthusiastic individual to join the City of Eugene's Economic Prosperity Team. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in the application of professional knowledge and skills to affect research, analysis, planning and implementation of economic development programs. The successful candidate will develop, recommend, and implement the goals, strategies, policies and programmatic framework for business-focused economic development activities in Eugene. The position requires a high degree of professionalism, problem-solving skills, and the frequent use of independent judgment. The ability to work in a team and across city departments and private-sector partners is mandatory. The successful candidate must be comfortable working on high-profile projects that are subject to public scrutiny.

The Business Development Manager will join the highly motivated Economic Prosperity team, committed to creating a vibrant community with economic opportunity for individuals at all skill levels and from all backgrounds. The team values excellence and empowers innovation. The work is hard, but the rewards are many, including being involved in tangible improvements that will contribute to the economic vitality and livability of Eugene.

In Community Development we recognize the racial injustices that impact those we serve. Our division has started a Racial Equity Literacy program for ourselves, committing time throughout each month to promote awareness and ease of dialogue about how we can improve or better include the lives of Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color in Eugene, and transform the way we do business by seeing it through a racial equity lens.

Application Deadline: Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 5 p.m. P.T.

Accepting Online Applications only through the City of Eugene Website

Classification: Class Specifications | Manager 1

Salary: $46.04 - $62.15 hourly / $95,763.20 - $129,272.00 annually

The City of Eugene determines starting pay within the range based on relevant education and experience as provided by the applicant in their application materials. This process is consistent with the Oregon Equal Pay Act (OEPA).

Department, Division: Community Development, Planning and Development Department

Position Information: Non-Represented, Exempt

Work Location: Atrium, 99 West 10th Avenue, Eugene, OR

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with the flexibility per business need

Benefits: The City of Eugene offers robust and competitive benefits. For more information, select the Benefits Tab, or view benefits summaries as well as see information about all employee benefits.

Bilingual Pay Benefit: This position qualifies for up to an additional 5% of base salary for bilingual pay. Please see "Supplemental Information" at the end of the posting for more information.

Living & Working in Eugene: Information about living in Eugene, how the City of Eugene operates, and more can be found on our website.

Examples of Duties Performed

Strategic Planning and Coordination

• Manages and coordinates the planning and implementation of the Business Development programs including business attraction, retention, job creation, business assistance, marketing, and related functions.
• Develops an Economic Development Strategy for the City that aligns with and complements strategic planning efforts with regional partners.
• Serves as a liaison for economic development activities with regional agencies and organizations, including regional economic development partners, workforce training, industry trade organizations, and City of Eugene workgroups. Coordinates with the partners to promote economic prosperity on a countywide basis; identifies and fosters partnering opportunities for various economic development programs and proposals.
• Identifies funding strategies for long-term economic development initiatives, in collaboration with other City departments.
• Attends the various City Council and commission meetings and acts as a staff resource to various sub-committees and City staff.
• Researches and utilizes racial equity principles and practices in managing economic and business development programs to evaluate and implement efforts to eliminate systemic racism, including how the City can build relationships with and support groups that have historically been marginalized or unable to access our business development programs.

Business Recruitment and Marketing

• Communicates and coordinates with economic development and real estate professionals interested in establishing businesses in Eugene.
• Creates, coordinates, and assembles marketing materials for business retention, expansion, and recruitment.
• Coordinates the development and implementation of public information for the City's economic development programs and resources. Updates relevant webpages and social media tools.
• Prepares press releases and responds to questions from the media about City's economic development programs and efforts in coordination with the department's Public Information Officer.

Administration and Research

• Directs and oversees the planning, prioritizing, assigning, supervising, training, and review of the Business Development Team.
• Keeps abreast of legislative developments which may impact economic development programs, policies and/or procedures and implements approved follow-up action.
• Update existing regional economic development data and develop efficient methods of maintaining current data on employment, wages, and real estate trends.
• Researches, analyzes, interprets, and prepares studies and reports on a variety of economic and demographic topics.
• Conducts independent research on City policies, regulations, and processes and their impact on commercial activity; identifies potential improvements and recommends changes.
• Negotiates, prepares and administers contracts and agreements.
• Reviews analysis, documents and reports prepared by consultants and staff to assure accuracy, completeness and appropriateness.
• Researches, prepares, and/or oversees preparation of complex grant and funding applications and proposals, and administers grants.
• Prepares staff and other reports for the City Council and other committees and advisory boards; makes presentations as required.
• Provides ongoing project management and reporting.
• Performs related and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

At least five years of professional experience in project management or program administration, preferably in the public sector. At least two years of full supervisory experience.

Bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited college or university in Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy, Planning or closely related field, AND four (4) years of professional experience in Economic Development OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. A master's degree in a relevant field is desirable.

Knowledge of:

• The principles and practices of economic/business development strategies, program administration, and resources, including methods for business attraction and retention.
• Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, regulations, and procedures concerning economic development.
• Marketing, public information, and promotional techniques used in economic development.
• Knowledge of methods and sources used in analyzing local economic trends and industry trends.
• The functions and relationships between private and public sector groups in the economic community.
• The principles and practices of contract negotiation methods and techniques, contract development and contract administration.
• Principles and practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, goals, and related objectives.

Skills and Abilities in:

• Is flexible and able to work with shifting priorities, competing demands, and uncertainty.
• Can work effectively in time-sensitive situations to meet deadlines; coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks concurrently.
• Can exercise sound independent judgment and demonstrate initiative and creativity, with minimal supervision.
• Communicate complex material clearly, logically, and concisely, both orally and in writing, including public presentations to varied audiences, including the general public, business community, and elected officials.
• Can research, analyze and prepare highly technical funding proposals, contracts, and financial reports.
• Can analyze problems and identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals;
• Can interpret and apply complex federal, state and local policies, laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to plan, organize and implement a comprehensive business development program, including proactive outreach and communication program which projects the image to the community.
• Is a team player and trust builder with colleagues,