Senior Economic Development Manager

TITLE:

Senior Economic Development Manager

DIVISION:
External Relations

REPORTS TO:

Director of Community Outreach

SUPERVISE:
None

LOCATION:

Lewistown, MT

FLSA STATUS:
Exempt

GROUP:
Core

HOURS:

Full-Time averaging 40 hours per week

• Paid Vacation
• Paid National Holidays
• Paid Sick Days
• Paid Volunteer Hours
• 401K with up to 3% employer match
• Medical Insurance with optional
• Flexible Savings or Health Savings Account &
• Dependent Care Account
• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, Critical Illness, & Accident Insurance
• Work Role Provisions (Pool Vehicle)
• Reserve Lodging Perks
• Corporate Discounts
• Flexible Scheduling

This position will build and maintain strong relationships with local businesses and community partners, identifying opportunities that help local entrepreneurs benefit from American Prairie’s growing visitation and operations. By linking businesses that provide lodging, food and dining, cultural experiences, outfitting, and related services to visitor demand, this role will support increased public awareness and meaningful community impact. The position will collaborate closely with regional tourism and economic development organizations to identify and develop joint marketing and promotional opportunities, including the creation of visitor itineraries that highlight the broader region.

Working alongside the Marketing team, this role will also produce periodic community impact reports and develop storytelling content that showcases the positive local outcomes of American Prairie’s work.

• Contribute significantly to strategy development, working with the Director of Community Outreach, and take primary responsibility for implementing initiatives that support economic diversification, sustainable tourism, and recreation-based business opportunities in the region. Engage local businesses, identify partnership opportunities, provide tools and resources, and support entrepreneurs whose work connects to the prairie’s landscape and wildlife.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with regional economic development partners including Montana Tourism Districts, Snowy Mountain Development, Lewistown Downtown Association, and local Chambers of Commerce (Glasgow, Lewistown, Malta, Jordan, Chinook). Conduct proactive outreach to understand business needs, offer training and educational opportunities, and foster collaboration around tourism-driven economic growth.
• Manage allocated community development funds and establish a transparent process for distributing mini-grants or training support to local business partners. (Examples include funding for website development, business planning support, or registration/travel for industry training.)
• Serve as a primary relationship manager for key community stakeholders, including business owners, elected officials, community groups, and entrepreneurs on matters related to economic development and regional business growth.
• Connect local businesses to opportunities that leverage the region’s natural resources, wildlife, and cultural heritage for responsible economic benefit.
• Explore, evaluate, and help develop regional events or experiences that highlight prairie culture, attract visitors, and stimulate local economic activity.
• Act as a liaison between community members, businesses, NGOs, and American Prairie staff to support ongoing communication and alignment.

• Develop, maintain, and continuously update an inventory of local businesses, tourism operators, and community groups to strengthen collaboration and visitor engagement.
• Lead the creation of regional itineraries, resource lists, and visitor experience guides; partner closely with the Marketing and Communications department to promote these assets across digital and print channels.
• Analyze community and economic development data and generate reports to track progress towards goals. Develop and disseminate an annual Community Impact Report.
• Communicate opportunities that encourage visitation to American Prairie and connect visitors to local business, experiences, and amenities.