Description SUMMARY The Economic Development & Government Affairs Associate is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and advancing real estate economic development tools and assets covered by these tools to leverage expertise in public-private partnerships, incentives, market intelligence, and strategic relationships. This role focuses on maximizing project feasibility, long-term value, and community alignment while supporting the company’s growth and development objectives. Requirements ESSENTIAL DUTIES: • Develops, assists, and helps with negotiating long-term strategies for deploying economic development tools to assist with development and construction growth plans • Lead business recruitment and development efforts for the company across different industry sectors. • Identify existing industries with expansion efforts and manage relationships with local businesses. • Research community impact on development efforts to ensure business goals are accomplished. • Support economic research to advance business growth. • Negotiate business development grants, loans, and investment packages with local, state, or federal government. • Engage with stakeholders, including government officials, educators, and community leaders to align regional interests. • Build and maintain relationships with governmental, community, and business leaders to facilitate development projects. • Utilize economic data, GIS mapping, and market trends to identify prime locations and economic opportunities. • Oversee, direct, and monitor real estate and site development programs to ensure compliance with company goals. • Collaborate with internal departments on economic development projects. • Manage current and future Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) agreements. • Lead Municipal Management Districts (MMD) partnerships and Municipal Utility Districts (MUD) and any other special districts or economic development tools • Actively seek new business opportunities through networking and outreach. • Participate in town hall meetings, City Council, Planning and Zoning, MPO, State and Federal meetings, non-profits, conferences, workshops and community development events to establish and build business networks. • Work collaboratively with team members and across departments. • Other Duties as Assigned. EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree required, with master’s degree (MBA, Economics, Public Policy) preferred. Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) preferred. EXPERIENCE: Must have at least ten (10) years in economic development, corporate real estate, business finance, or related roles. SKILLS: Must have the following skills and/or abilities: • Proficient in Windows operating systems and associated software • High level negotiation skills • Ability to lead, present to executives or public boards, and manage complex projects • Experience working with city, county, state, and federal agencies • Strong oral and written communication skills • Ability to work with community and governmental leaders effectively • Knowledge of trends, developments, and techniques in the field of economic development LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: Must have a current driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to perform the following physical activity on a frequent to constant basis: • Sit for long periods of time while gathering, updating, and validating vendor or supplier cost information or performing other related activities. • Lift 10–20 lbs. of files, plans, office supplies, or similar items. • Constantly uses fingers and hands when dialing/answering the telephone and operating a computer or other office machinery, such as a copy machine, scanner, and computer printer. • Ability to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information through verbal communications in person or detect objects in and around job site over the telephone. • Average, ordinary visual acuity necessary to prepare or inspect documents; operate a computer or other office machinery; or. • Walk short distances on slippery, even, and/or uneven surfaces. • Stand, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, turn, or crawl. WORKING CONDITIONS: • Majority of work is performed in an office atmosphere located inside a building, with building inspections as needed. • May require infrequent job site visits involve performing work in outdoor weather conditions with exposure to extreme cold, heat, and noise depending upon project site. • Travel locally and between cities where development is in progress will be expected. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to: • Adhere to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, professionalism, and discretion. • Project a courteous, professional and positive approach with clients, subcontractors, employees, and authorizing agencies while providing prompt, efficient, and accurate assistance. • Follow and exchange basic instructions, information, and guidelines. • Direct and instructs Sub-Contractors effectively with a leadership style that is firm, fair, consistent, and goal oriented. • Nurture a working environment which encourages employee loyalty, longevity, and satisfaction. • Creates a culture of customer satisfaction. • Make independent decisions based on experience or knowledge with minimal supervision. • Participate in training and development opportunities offered to maintain construction-related software and safety knowledge. • Communicate and comprehend instructions/directions in accordance with safety requirements, which necessitate no language barriers exist between employees and supervisors. • Adhere to and perform functions according to company and OSHA safety guidelines. • Wear personal protective equipment as required such as steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, hard hat, vest, and the like while conducting job site visits. • Maintain regular, timely, and predictable attendance.