Greater Iowa City, Inc. Company Overview: 

Greater Iowa City, Inc. (Greater IC) is a dynamic network of business and public sector leaders who collaborate to support local companies, guide investment, and grow a resilient economy. Our work covers the cities, towns, and rural areas in the greater Iowa City area – or Johnson County, Iowa. As a dynamic and forward-thinking organization, Greater IC is dedicated to fostering economic growth, community development, and workforce enhancement in the Greater Iowa City area. We are committed to building a prosperous and inclusive community where businesses thrive, talent flourishes, and innovation thrives.  

As we continue to expand our impact, we are seeking a talented and passionate individual to join our team as an Economic Development Program Manager. 

Position Overview: 

The Economic Development Program Manager will play a pivotal role in driving forward our mission to enhance the economic vitality and overall well-being of our community. This individual will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a diverse range of programs and initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth, fostering community engagement, and addressing social challenges. 

General Responsibilities: 

1. Program / Initiative Development: Lead the conceptualization, design, and implementation of economic development programs / initiatives aligned with organizational goals and community needs. This includes: 

• Conducting thorough needs assessments and stakeholder consultations to identify priority areas for intervention in conjunction with Greater IC leadership. 

• Developing comprehensive program plans, including goals, objectives, activities, and timelines. 

• Collaborating with internal and external partners to leverage resources and expertise in program design and implementation. 

• Ensuring that programs are inclusive, culturally responsive, and tailored to the unique needs and assets of the community. 

• Continuously evaluating and adapting programs based on feedback, data analysis, and changing community dynamics. 

2. Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including business leaders, non-profit organizations, local government officials and the State of Iowa Economic Development Authority to foster collaboration and support for programs / initiatives. 

3. Project Management: Oversee all aspects of program implementation, including budget management, timeline adherence, resource allocation, and performance monitoring. 

4. Data Analysis and Reporting: Work with Greater IC staff to measure the impact of programs and initiatives.  Utilize LOIS (LocationOne Information System) lease accounting software and the real estate platform Resimplifi related to supporting project leads. Assist Greater IC staff to prepare clear and compelling reports for internal and external stakeholders. 

5. Policy Advocacy: Provide data and impact reports as requested for Advocacy leadership to assist in their efforts to advocate for our programs.  Monitor local, state, and federal policies related to economic development and community well-being, and advocate for policy changes that support our mission and objectives. 

6. Outreach and Education: Develop and implement outreach strategies to engage diverse community members in program activities, workshops, and events aimed at promoting economic and community development initiatives and programs. 

7. Team Leadership: Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to teammates, program partners and volunteers, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment. 

Initial Program Responsibilities: 

1. Business Retention/Expansion Program: Lead the business retention program for Greater IC.  Currently, the program relies on building relationships with local employers to fill out a Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Survey so that local needs are understood and that we are using this information to build supporting initiatives to retain and grow companies. The BRE survey data is also conveyed to the State of Iowa Economic Development Authority to be used to inform state-wide initiatives, policies and programs. 

2. Economic Development Support (Attraction): Receive and coordinate requests for proposals from site selectors and/or companies interested in locating in Johnson County by being a point of contact with local jurisdictions, realtors, brokers and other stakeholders that can help land opportunities that fit our asset-base and make the company feel welcome here.  This includes monitoring LOIS, a national online location analysis tool designed for communities and economic development organizations to promote available site and buildings, and tracking major projects. 

3. Cluster Initiatives: Leading the effort to define and communicate local economic cluster opportunities.  Several clusters are currently being evaluated, and this role would help lead this effort. 

4. Workforce Support and Programming: Receive and coordinate response and staffing of workforce support requests from Community Partners at the secondary and post-secondary levels, as well as State-led initiatives and Iowa Workforce Development. This includes making introductions to companies for workforce requests and guiding industry requests in line with other Economic Development programs as outlined.  

Other Responsibilities: 

Supporting the Economic Development Innovation Council: Take lead in agenda and content development to support this quarterly meeting of industry leaders. This council guides our efforts and the Economic Development Program Manager will take lead on shaping action items and informing relevant stakeholders and our partners of next steps by sharing information in the Greater Iowa City, Inc. Communications network (newsletters, socials, blogs, etc.) to generate support for new programs and initiatives over time. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in economics, public administration, urban planning, public policy, business administration, or related field; master's degree preferred. Relevant experience considered in lieu of formal education. 

• Experience and progressive opportunities in relevant roles in community development, economic development, or a related field, with a proven track record of program management and stakeholder engagement. 

• Strong understanding of economic development principles, community development strategies, and social impact measurements. 

• Experience in data analysis and ability to learn other community and economic development data tools. 

• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences through written reports, presentations, and public speaking engagements. 

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, businesses, and residents. 

• Proficiency in project management, budgeting, and data analysis. 

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders and commitment to prioritize access when designing or implementing programs.