The Economic Development Specialist supports Stanly County’s business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts by serving as the primary point of contact for existing businesses, assisting with recruitment efforts, and providing research, marketing, and RFI support. This role blends relationship-building, data analysis, communications, and administrative coordination to advance economic development initiatives under the supervision of the EDC Director, with a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
An employee in this class performs a variety of professional and technical support tasks in support of the economic development efforts of business attraction, retention and expansion. The employee will serve as Stanly EDC’s existing business point of contact, as well as the main point of contact for RFI support. The employee performs marketing, communications, public contact, and administrative office support work in support of the department. Work involves screening and handling a variety of economic development inquiries by telephone and in person; explaining program policies and procedures; developing relationships with local businesses and partners; providing technical assistance including the coordination of workshops and meetings; performing research for RFI’s; data collection and presentation; conducting current industry visits; creating flyers and marketing materials; updating department website; and preparing and maintaining a variety of records and files. Work also includes office management tasks of preparing board folders; placing facilities work orders, screening calls, and others. Employee must exercise independent judgement, discretion, and initiative in completing assignments and handling difficult public contact situations requiring considerable tact and knowledge of applicable policies, procedures and programs. Work is characterized by its variety and confidential nature, requiring considerable organizational and analytical ability.Represents Stanly County to the highest degree, helping existing businesses expand or to attract new business to the County. Serves as Stanly County EDC’s existing business point of contact, conducting a minimum of five industry site visits per month and assisting all local manufacturers in Stanly County and within its municipalities.
Develops and maintains relationships with local partners; regional, state, and federal
representatives, and serves on local, regional, or state committees when applicable.
Assists in business recruitment marketing efforts; develops and maintains materials for business recruitment and marketing packets. Provides site location assistance to prospective businesses; meets with prospective business representatives.
Screens and handles a variety of economic development inquiries by telephone and in person; responds to public and internal economic development inquiries, explains program policies and procedures; provides information.
Provides assistance to the Economic Development Director; coordinates and monitors department program-specific activities and projects.
Conducts research to gather data on county statistics or demographics for internal and external use.
Schedules, sets up and takes down, and attends economic development meetings; takes meeting minutes; coordinates catering for meetings as needed.
Coordinates and implements economic development projects in cooperation with the Director; conducts research for RFI preparation.
Creates and prepares flyers and marketing materials; maintains and updates the department website; ensures information on the website is up to date.
Composes, edits, and coordinates the preparation of reports or other printed materials; creates and maintains databases to monitor and track information; prepares and maintains department files.
Considerable knowledge of business development and attraction principles, practices, methods and techniques for economic development.
Considerable knowledge of business retention and expansion strategies.
Working knowledge of project/program coordination and implementation.
Working knowledge of marketing practices and principles.
Considerable knowledge of modern office procedures, practices, and equipment.
Skill in managing deadlines, work flow, and coordinating activities.
Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality on industrial and commercial project information.
Ability to research program documents and narrative materials and to compile reports from
the information gathered.
Ability to make routine administrative decisions independently in accordance with laws, regulations, and county policies and procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to tactfully and courteously deal with employees, local and state agencies.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
Ability to prepare clear, concise written reports, studies, and memoranda.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with industry
representatives, public officials, supervisors, employees, and the general public.
Considerable competency in departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in economics, planning, communications, marketing, or related field, and at least two (2) years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with significant coursework in a related field and substantial experience in sales, business management, or economic development.
Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to travel occasionally for work regularly is required.
Flexibility and willingness to work outside of normal business hours, including early mornings, evenings, or occasional weekends, as needed.
