Economic Development Manager

Job Description

The Economic Development Manager helps drive the County’s efforts to catalyze transformative, place-based development and economic investment. This role is responsible for advancing economic development priorities outlined in the County’s 2045 Unified Plan, with a focus on activating key publicly-owned sites, supporting business expansions, and attracting new jobs that contribute to the County’s “Daily Community” framework.

• Serve as County representative for recruitment and expansion projects, partnering with organizations including Partnership Gwinnett to support competitive project proposals.
• Support catalytic development on key publicly owned sites, including site readiness and developer solicitations.
• Identify and prioritize opportunity sites aligned with the County’s vision and market conditions.
• Track and report on implementation progress, ensuring alignment with broader economic development and land use strategies.
• Serve as a single point of contact for new or expanding companies navigating County processes, including zoning, permitting, inspections, and development approvals.

• Administer and promote the County’s economic development tools, including tax abatements, tax allocation district financing, fee waivers, and expedited permitting.
• Support deal structuring to leverage incentives and close funding gaps.
• Evaluate new public financing mechanisms to support redevelopment goals.
• Benchmark best practices to enhance the County’s competitive position.

• Engage the development and site selector community to source and advance high-quality projects aligned with County priorities.
• Facilitate collaboration with Community Improvement Districts (CIDs), Partnership Gwinnett, developers, brokers, utility partners, state agencies, and the broader commercial real estate community to advance shared outcomes.
• Represent Gwinnett County in prospect meetings, site visits, and regional initiatives.

• Position will require candidate to speak publicly on redevelopment initiatives and projects.

The grade for this position is 204. Salary will be dependent on education and experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, public administration, economic development, urban planning, or a closely related field; AND
• Eight years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, or a closely related field, including two years’ experience as a manager: OR
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above will also be considered.
• Valid Driver's License from state of residency.

• Strong understanding of real estate finance, market analysis, and development feasibility.
• Experience in project management, particularly in redevelopment or commercial real estate projects.
• Experience with redevelopment financing tools (e.g., tax increment financing) preferred.
• Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with the development lifecycle, from predevelopment through stabilization.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Understanding of local government operations and policies.

Gwinnett County is committed to creating a diverse workforce. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information (including sex), race, color, national origin (including ancestry), gender (identity and expression), sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status (including pregnancy), disability, military or veteran status, religion, political affiliation, immigration status, homeless status, or any other category protected by law.