Vice President of Economic Development

Job Title:

Vice President of Economic Development Focus:
Business Recruitment & Retention Job Description

Would you like to help write the story of Laredo, here at the center of the North American supply chain? The Laredo Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) is seeking an experienced, energetic and forward-thinking economic development professional to serve as Vice President – Economic Development. This is an opportunity to harness your skills in business attraction, recruitment and retention where international trade, manufacturing, logistics, energy, technology and the rapidly evolving North American supply chain all converge.

Laredo has emerged as one of North America’s great trade gateways. And today, the LEDC seeks to leverage that extraordinary position to attract new investment, diversify the regional economy and create the next generation of opportunities for Laredo and Webb County. We are looking for someone who wants to help lead that transformation.

We are building an economic development organization for the future—one that combines relationships and traditional economic-development expertise with data, technology, artificial intelligence, strategic marketing and disciplined execution. Founded in 1966, the LEDC promotes and fosters the economic and industrial development of Laredo and Webb County. The LEDC collaborates with public and private-sector leadership, developers, investors, educational institutions, workforce organizations, along with local, state and federal agencies to attract investment, support existing businesses and strengthen the regional economy.

As Vice President, you will be a senior member of the LEDC team responsible for developing and executing initiatives that generate business investment, job creation and long-term economic growth. This is both a strategic and hands-on position. The successful candidate will report directly to the President & CEO, working directly with companies, site selectors, developers, investors and public-sector partners, helping move projects from initial prospect identification through recruitment, negotiation, location and implementation.

• Employ business analytic skills to monitor economic and industry trends, maintain disciplined prospect and project information employing CRM, data analytics and AI tools to improve research, prospecting and execution.
• Identify prospective companies and investment opportunities; prepare and coordinate RFIs, RFPs, proposals, presentations, prospect visits and site tours.
• Target and execute business attraction, retention and expansion initiatives and cultivate relationships with corporate executives, site selectors, developers and investors.
• Work with governmental, workforce and education partners on incentives, infrastructure, talent and other project requirements.
• Advance strategic initiatives involving manufacturing, logistics, international trade, energy, infrastructure, emerging technology and other targeted industries.
• Represent LEDC at business meetings, industry conferences, trade missions and economic-development events throughout Texas, Mexico and beyond.

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of economic-development experience, business judgment, relationship‑building ability and entrepreneurial drive. We want someone comfortable moving between the boardroom, a manufacturing facility, a government office, a prospect meeting and an international trade conference—and who can translate opportunities into action.

• Significant experience in economic development, business recruitment, governmental relations, public‑sector incentives, workforce development or related fields.
• Proven project‑management, strategic‑planning, analytical,…