Program Manager, Business Funding and Incentives Division

Department Information

The Office of Economic Development and International Trade (“OEDIT”) works to foster a positive business climate that encourages quality economic development through support of local and regional economic development activities throughout the State of Colorado. A comprehensive slate of programs within OEDIT’s divisions work together to offer economic development services for all Colorado businesses – new and expanding, traditional and emerging, small and large – including retention programs to ensure continued competitiveness of Colorado’s economic base, and job training to keep Colorado’s workforce the best in the nation.

The Business Funding & Incentives Division within OEDIT administers a variety of financial incentives and collaborates with partners throughout the State to create a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth for Coloradans.

The Program Manager will implement and manage the overall administration for rural-focused and strategic community programming within the Business Funding and Incentives team cifically, this position will fully manage the Rural Jump-Start Program, help administer the Skill Advance program, provide critical administrative support for the Enterprise Zone program, and will also contribute to other programs within the Business Funding & Incentives Division as needed.

The Program Manager serves as a primary point person for Rural Jump-Start businesses and sponsoring entities and regularly communicates with regional Enterprise Zone administrators, partners at the Colorado Community College System and the individual community colleges, and the general public. The Program Manager oversees end-to-end program management with respect to Rural Jump-Start, which includes contract management and compliance, ensuring that program reporting occurs on a timely basis, and maintains program information on our website and through other channels.

This position will work with leadership to improve program policies and processes and to evaluate program performance and suggested modifications.

This position will involve close collaboration with other members of the Business Funding & Incentives team, other OEDIT Divisions, particularly the Talent Innovation Office, the OEDIT procurement team, Commissioners on the Colorado Economic Development Commission, other State agencies, including the Department of Revenue and the Office of Information Technology (OIT), and external business partners and stakeholders.

Rural Jump-Start Program (50%):

• Manage the Rural Jump Start Tax Incentive and Grant program;
• Recruit and manage Rural Jump Start Zones by communicating closely with local government leaders such as but not limited to, county commissioners/administrators, municipality leaders, local economic development organizations, institutes of higher education, and other community officials;
• Promote the Rural Jump Start program to businesses and support Sponsoring Entities in educating and vetting interested applicants;
• Travel 4-6 times per year to rural regions of the state to maintain relationships with Rural Jump-Start participants and partners and help increase awareness with potential sponsoring entities and businesses;
• Conduct a competitive analysis for each Rural Jump Start applicant; and
• Design implementation mechanisms for grant programs, policies, and rules within statutory requirements.
• Develop marketing materials and communications strategies.
• Present prospective grant recipients to the Colorado Economic Development Commission for approval. If approved, in collaboration with a procurement officer, draft a contract scope of work and execute the grant agreement.
• Oversee contract performance, reporting, and initiating payments.
• Provide technical assistance to tax incentive and grant recipients as needed.
• Create, document,…