BUSINESS RETENTION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP MANAGER

Job Title

Economic Development Specialist

Job Description

Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The application review process will take place immediately and continue until the position is filled. This recruitment may close any time after the first review or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

The hiring range for this position is $72,000.00 up to a maximum of $80,000.00 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Pay Grade for this position is 21.

General Definition of Work: Performs professional work in the development of relationships for the office of Cabarrus Economic Development. This position will oversee programs related to local start-up activities, business retention and expansion, and other support services for existing businesses in Cabarrus County. Work is performed under the general direction of the President & CEO.

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions/Typical Tasks: Builds long-term relationships with existing companies. Actively explores retention and expansion opportunities by providing full-service support on workforce resources, new market/supply chain opportunities, financing options, and enhanced productivity and efficiency resources. Assists with special projects; maintains records and files.

• Provide business guidance on government programs, resources, and services.
• Maintain and expand relationships with existing businesses and key contacts, including startups, entrepreneurs, and the innovation and tech communities in Cabarrus County.
• Conduct regular business visitations, meetings, focus groups, and annual satisfaction surveys to identify challenges and growth opportunities and connect companies to appropriate resources in collaboration with partners.
• Track, analyze, and report business visitation outcomes, trends, risks, and opportunities using a CRM or BRE database.
• Support business retention and expansion by coordinating incentives (with the Economic Development Manager), job creation resources, and proactive interventions for at-risk companies.
• Prepare and present BRE reports for leadership, board members, funders, and public partners.
• Identify, secure, and administer grants supporting business expansion, including building improvements, utility infrastructure, and energy efficiency initiatives.
• Maintain strong partnerships with support agencies and allies, including Cabarrus Center partners, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), utility providers, and municipal and county governments.
• Coordinate and facilitate programming (e.g. Manufacturing Day activities) that links existing industry, K-12 and Rowan Cabarrus Community College.
• Compile and present data on North Carolina's business climate, taxes, available sites and buildings, labor force capabilities and availability, demographic trends, market opportunities, and incentive programs.
• Develop and implement marketing and outreach materials to promote program offerings.
• Support the engagement of the business, entrepreneur, innovation, and tech communities through Flywheel to inform and deliver programs at the Cabarrus Center that stimulate startup activity and support existing businesses.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the organization's economic development mission.

Knowledge of general business operations and management principles, with strong writing, editing, and website content development skills, including experience with web-based property databases. Familiarity with local government operations preferred. Proficiency with standard office equipment, computers, and applicable software required. Ability to research, analyze, and present information clearly in reports and presentations. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with business and community leaders. Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, event coordination ability, and the capacity to work independently with minimal supervision.

Minimum Education / Experience Requirements

Education and Experience: Requires graduation from an appropriately accredited college or university with a degree in Business Administration, Management, Economic Development, or a related field. Three to five years of experience in economic development, business retention and expansion, small business support, or a closely related field is strongly preferred.

Some county job postings indicate that you can qualify with an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If this language is included in the job description, it means you may qualify through either education, your years of directly related experience, or a combination of both. If you have indicated that you have earned a certificate, diploma, or degree from a technical school, college, or university, please note that Cabarrus County will verify your educational credentials. Official transcripts must clearly show the specific credential awarded to ensure accurate validation.

Special Requirements: Requires occasional travel. Flexibility and willingness to work outside of normal business hours, including early mornings, evenings, or occasional weekends, as needed. Requires possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the state of North Carolina.

Physical Requirements: This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; work requires reaching, standing, walking, and grasping; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

Supplemental Information

Cabarrus County selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application. Applicants who obtained their education outside of the United States and its territories are expected to assume responsibility for having their academic degrees validated as equivalent to a degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.

Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit. "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted. If multiple applications are submitted to an individual position, only the most recent application received prior to the posting closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Processing applications will take an average of 6 8 weeks due to the high volume of applications received. It is not necessary to contact the Human Resources Office to check the status of an application. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the most qualified applicants.

For technical issues with your applications, please call the NEOGOV Help Line at View phone number on click.appcast.io. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at View phone number on click.appcast.io.