Economic Development Project Manager

Economic Development Project Manager

The purpose of this classification is to coordinate and manage economic development projects and initiatives related to business recruitment, business retention and expansion (BRE), redevelopment, strategic investment, and job creation in Cobb County. This position serves as a project manager for assigned economic development initiatives and works collaboratively with businesses, chambers of commerce, regional partners, developers, municipalities, and internal county departments to facilitate private investment, redevelopment opportunities, and long-term economic growth.

Essential Functions

Business Recruitment Manages assigned business recruitment projects from prospect inquiry through project completion. Serves as a point of contact for companies evaluating Cobb County for business location or expansion opportunities. Coordinates with local, state, regional, municipal, utility, chambers of commerce, and development partners to respond to Requests for Information (RFIs), prepare proposals, coordinate site visits, and facilitate project implementation. Develops and maintains relationships with commercial brokers, developers, site selectors, corporate executives, and industry partners. Identifies available commercial, office, industrial, and redevelopment sites to support business recruitment efforts. Assists in negotiating and administering economic development incentive agreements consistent with County policies.

Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Develops and maintains relationships with existing Cobb County businesses to encourage business retention and future expansion. Conducts regular business outreach visits to identify operational challenges, expansion opportunities, workforce needs, infrastructure concerns, and regulatory issues. Coordinates with County departments and external partners to resolve business issues and improve the local business climate. Identifies businesses eligible for local, state, and federal incentive programs and provides technical assistance throughout the application process. Tracks business investment, capital expenditures, job creation, and retention outcomes.

Redevelopment & Revitalization Manages redevelopment projects supporting the revitalization of commercial corridors, aging commercial centers, and targeted redevelopment areas. Assists in developing redevelopment strategies, market analyses, incentive recommendations, and implementation plans. Supports redevelopment grant programs and incentive initiatives that encourage private investment and commercial revitalization. Identifies catalytic redevelopment opportunities that advance the County's long-term economic development goals.

Project Management Serves as project manager for assigned economic development initiatives, ensuring projects remain on schedule, within scope, and in compliance. Monitors project milestones, budgets, deliverables, and performance measures. Prepares project updates, reports and presentations for Economic Development Director.

Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement Represents the Economic Development Department at local, regional, state, and national meetings, conferences, trade shows, industry events, and community meetings as needed. Develops collaborative relationships with chambers of commerce, municipalities, educational institutions, workforce organizations, economic development partners, developers, and business organizations. Participates in regional economic development initiatives that strengthen Cobb County's competitive position.

Economic Development Programs Assists in the administration of economic development incentive programs. Supports other economic development initiatives and programs as needed: small business development, entrepreneurship, redevelopment, as workforce development. Administers assigned incentive agreements and ensures compliance with program requirements. Assists with grant administration and identification of external funding opportunities supporting economic development initiatives.

Research & Analysis Conducts market research, demographic analysis, industry analysis, fiscal impact analysis, redevelopment analysis, and economic trend analysis. Develops reports, presentations, briefing materials, and recommendations for Economic Development Director. Maintains databases related to available sites, commercial inventory, redevelopment opportunities, incentive activity, business outreach, and project performance. Tracks economic development metrics including capital investment, jobs created and retained, business growth, occupancy trends, and redevelopment activity.

Departmental Support Supports departmental strategic planning initiatives, special projects, marketing efforts, community events, and public engagement activities. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Economic Development, Economics, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Real Estate, Finance, Community Development, or a closely related field; supplemented by five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, redevelopment, business recruitment, project management, planning, commercial real estate, community development, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 20 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station. Sensory Requirements Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally. Environmental Factors Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

EEO Statement Cobb County Government is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.