A Day in the Life:

• Manages and negotiates projects with emphasis on attracting new high-wage job opportunities for Hoosiers, focusing on the Northern Region of Indiana.
• Lead state and local economic development partners in presenting unified responses to company requests for proposals and site visits. Respond to inquiries and formal RFP / RFIs regarding IEDC/state programs.
• Serves as primary Northern Indiana regional Attractions liaison to IEDC northern office, utilizing and regularly updating IEDC leadership on region activities.
• Builds and maintains relationships with economic development partners, regional employers and government officials within the State, acting as a professional resource for education and training of economic development and local elected officials.
• Build and maintain ongoing relationships with regional employers and government and economic development partners in Northern Indiana and statewide. 
• Encourages collaboration between economic development partners within the IEDC and the Northern region.
• At the direction of and/or approval by IEDC leadership, provides representation on economic development related partner organizations assisting Indiana’s economic development ecosystem.
• Maintain confidentiality to protect the integrity of the client and State of Indiana.
• Supports outside sales trips and other outside sales efforts to generate leads and raise Indiana brand awareness; responsible for attending conferences, out of state meetings, and events as needed.
• Assist in Business Retention & Expansion efforts and projects as needed
• Other critical Business Development functions as identified by VP of Attractions, and other IEDC Leadership.

What You'll Need for Success:

Education:

• Relevant Bachelor’s degree (or higher) and equivalent experience including, but not limited to, the following fields: economic development, community development urban planning real estate, sales/business development, tax / regulatory law, or any of the core industries listed below.

Experience:    

• Eight years of postgraduate professional work experience, or other equivalent background and experience, preferably in a client-facing role.
• At least five years of experience working in the field of economic development is desired.
• Appropriate business development/professional experience and background, in particular with an emphasis of business deal negotiation and/or government relations.

Knowledge of:

• Critical industries to the State of Indiana such as manufacturing, life sciences, agribusiness, microelectronics, AI/cybersecurity, aerospance/defense development
• IEDC and other government-agency programs and processes; both in-state and other states.
• IEDC business development processes and account management processes.
• Region’s community and business development- organizations, including local government officials, economic development leaders, business executives and non-profit and community development organizations.
• Region’s business climate, quality of place offerings, workforce makeup, and state economic development laws and trends.
• Indiana government structure, including local government structure and how it engages with state government structures.
• Local government incentive programs, administrative processes, etc.
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM program or other similar client management system.

Ability to: 

• Engage a broad range of business professionals to generate desired project outcomes.
• Identify the leverage of each side in a business deal via analysis of the overall context within which the deal is taking place.
• Negotiate on behalf of the State of Indiana in complex business transactions, optimizing the outcome for Hoosier taxpayers.
• Lead state and local economic development partners in presenting unified responses to company requests for proposals.
• Develop relationships with local economic development officials, brokers, site selectors, consultants to help develop economic development projects.
• Mentor and grow project managers in their business transaction management and business negotiation abilities as well as interaction with businesses, government agencies and local economic development offices.
• Analyze and evaluate needs of businesses and communities to determine the appropriate level of IEDC and other state, public and private sector services to meet those needs.
• Communicate clearly and directly both orally and in writing, including public speaking and presentations.
• Navigate, use and understand CRM-based databases and spreadsheets.
• Travel in-state and nationally as needed.
• Maintain residency within the Northern Region of Indiana, and preferably near the IEDC’s primary offices, or willingness to locate within region.