Economic Development & Government Affairs Associate
hace 3 días
Laredo
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. 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.