Economic Development Project Manager

Economic Development Project Manager

The Economic Development Project Manager is an execution-focused professional responsible for advancing economic development and real estate initiatives from concept through completion. This role translates strategic priorities and approved projects into tangible results by managing timelines, coordinating stakeholders, and ensuring successful implementation.

Reporting to the Director of Economic Development, the Project Manager serves as the central point of coordination for assigned projects. The ideal candidate possesses direct experience managing commercial real estate development, redevelopment, mixed-use development, public-private partnership, or economic development projects and can demonstrate successful delivery of projects from concept through entitlement, financing, construction, and completion. The successful candidate is highly self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and results-driven, with the ability to independently advance complex initiatives while maintaining strong relationships with diverse stakeholders. This position works closely with the Economic Development Analyst, who provides analytical and financial evaluation, while the Project Manager is responsible for execution, delivery, and overall project performance.

Essential Job Functions

Project Management & Execution

Leads assigned economic development and real estate projects from initiation through completion. Develops and manages project plans, schedules, and milestones; coordinates implementation; and ensures projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with City priorities. Utilizes project management software and reporting tools to develop schedules, monitor progress, manage risks, track deliverables, and communicate project status. Maintains comprehensive project documentation, action plans, stakeholder communications, and performance metrics through established project management systems.

Commercial Real Estate & Development Coordination

Works directly with developers, property owners, investors, and brokers to advance redevelopment and investment initiatives. Facilitates development processes and helps move projects efficiently from concept to construction. Manages development projects through all phases including site identification, due diligence, feasibility review, entitlement, financing coordination, construction, and project completion. Identifies and proactively addresses development obstacles, regulatory issues, infrastructure constraints, and stakeholder concerns that may impact project success. Serves as a project champion, driving momentum and accountability among internal and external stakeholders.

Deal Execution & Transaction Coordination

Supports the advancement and closing of real estate transactions and public-private partnerships, including ground leases, development agreements, and incentive packages. Coordinates internal teams and external partners to move projects through approvals, documentation, and implementation.

Development Process & Entitlement Coordination

Facilitates development review and entitlement processes, including zoning, permitting, and design review. Works closely with Community Development and other departments to identify issues early, streamline approvals, and maintain project schedules.

Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination

Serves as the primary point of contact for assigned projects. Coordinates with internal departments (Community Development, Legal, Transportation, Environmental & Public Works, Finance, etc.) and external stakeholders, including development authorities, developers/investors, business leaders, and community representatives.

Incentives & Agreement Administration

Implements and administers economic development incentives, development agreements, and public-private partnership structures. Monitors compliance with agreements and coordinates with Legal and Finance to ensure proper execution.

Authority & Board Coordination

Supports coordination with the Roswell Development Authority (RDA) and Downtown Development Authority (DDA), including preparation of staff reports, presentations, and agenda materials. Assists in advancing projects through authority approvals and implementation.

Project Intake & Pipeline Coordination

Supports project intake and pipeline coordination, working with the Economic Development Specialist to transition projects from initial evaluation into active project management and implementation.

Financial Management & Coordination

Tracks project budgets, expenditures, and funding sources. Coordinates with Finance and the Economic Development Specialist to ensure alignment between financial assumptions and project execution.

Performance Tracking & Reporting

Tracks project status, milestones, and deliverables. Prepares regular status updates, dashboards, and reports to communicate progress, risks, and key decisions to leadership and elected officials.

Issue Resolution & Problem Solving

Identifies risks, delays, or challenges and develops practical solutions. Coordinates with stakeholders to resolve issues and keep projects advancing.

Program & Process Support

Supports continuous improvement of economic development programs, project tracking systems, and internal coordination processes.

Executive Communication & Presentations

Prepares clear, concise, and visually compelling presentations and briefing materials for senior leadership, Mayor and Council, and development authorities.

Initiative & Strategic Project Advancement

Independently identifies opportunities to advance economic development priorities and redevelopment initiatives. Demonstrates persistence, creativity, and resourcefulness in moving projects forward despite obstacles or competing interests. Takes ownership of project outcomes and proactively recommends solutions, partnerships, and implementation strategies.

May supervise assigned professional and support staff in the planning, execution, and close-out of economic development projects.

Provide leadership, training, performance evaluation, and day-to-day guidance to direct reports or project teams, fostering collaboration across personnel, DDA, Visit Roswell, Roswell Inc. and other external partners while promoting accountability and professional development.

Oversee staff workload, project timelines, and resource allocation for assigned initiatives; conduct regular progress reviews, resolve operational issues, and ensure compliance with City processes, regulatory requirements, and partnership standards to deliver high-impact results without compromising relationships.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Requires a bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Construction Management,, or related field; five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience managing commercial real estate development, redevelopment, economic development, public-private partnership, infrastructure, or complex capital projects; demonstrated experience successfully advancing development projects through multiple phases, including entitlement, financing, stakeholder coordination, and implementation; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Experience working directly with developers, investors, brokers, property owners, development authorities, or public-sector agencies strongly preferred. Experience working in a municipal or public sector environment preferred. Familiarity with public-private partnerships and incentive programs is highly desirable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Real Estate, Finance, Project Management or related field.

• Experience in commercial real estate, economic development organizations, local government, or consulting.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid State of Georgia Driver's License

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously from initiation through completion

• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and maintaining project momentum through complex approval and implementation processes.

• Demonstrated track record of successfully completing complex real estate development, redevelopment, economic development, capital investment, or public-private partnership projects.

• Strong track record of delivering projects on schedule and within budget.

• Ability to articulate specific project accomplishments, challenges encountered, and measurable outcomes achieved.

• Experience developing and maintaining detailed project plans, timelines, and milestones

• Experience administering incentive agreements, contracts, or development-related agreements

• Strong understanding of compliance monitoring, reporting requirements, and performance tracking

• Ability to identify risks or non-compliance issues early and implement corrective actions

• Advanced proficiency with project management software such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Monday.com, Asana, Trello, Primavera, or similar platforms.

• Experience developing critical path schedules, project dashboards, milestone tracking reports, and executive-level project status reporting.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Power BI, GIS applications, CRM systems, and other tools used to support economic development project delivery preferred.

• Proven ability to work effectively across internal departments (Community Development, Legal, Transportation, Environmental & Public Works, Finance, etc.)

• Skilled at aligning stakeholders with differing priorities and ensuring consistent communication

• Experience coordinating with external partners including developers, businesses, and agencies

• Proactive in identifying challenges and developing practical, solution-oriented responses

• Ability to manage competing priorities and adapt to changing project conditions

• Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills

• Experience tracking project budgets, expenditures, and financial commitments

• Ability to evaluate project performance against established goals and metrics

• Familiarity with basic financial analysis and feasibility considerations

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to prepare clear, concise status reports for leadership and elected officials

• Skilled at translating complex project information into actionable insights

• Focused on delivering results efficiently and effectively

• Strong attention to contracts, timelines, and compliance

• Ability to build strong relationships across teams and stakeholders