Site Development & Investment Attraction Director

Location:

2352 S. Park Street, Suite 303, Madison, WI, 53713, United States

Base Pay: $72,200.00 - $90,300.00 / Year

Job Category:
Business and Investment Attraction

Employee Type:
Full Time

Phone:

Remote (Wisconsin-based). Work expected to be performed in Wisconsin.

Full-time, Exempt

Business & Investment Attraction, Senior Director

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) works with businesses, communities, and partners statewide to foster innovation, support job creation, and strengthen Wisconsin’s competitive position. Driven by a mission to make Wisconsin the best place to live, work, and build a business, WEDC is a purpose-driven organization that values integrity, collaboration, and forward-thinking solutions, and invests in its people so they can help invest in Wisconsin’s future.

The Site Development & Investment Attraction Director leads efforts to identify, develop, and promote industrial sites that support business attraction and investment across Wisconsin. This role combines strategic site development, stakeholder engagement, and industry alignment to strengthen the state’s competitive position for large-scale projects.

In this role, you will:

• Lead industrial site development initiatives that support business attraction efforts
• Identify and advance development‑ready sites for manufacturing, logistics, and other industrial users
• Serve as a subject‑matter expert on site readiness, infrastructure, and permitting requirements
• Build and maintain relationships with site selectors, corporate real estate professionals, and development partners
• Support RFI/RFP responses with site data, feasibility insights, and permitting considerations
• Maintain and enhance a statewide inventory of industrial sites and related data
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to improve site readiness and reduce development barriers
• Supervise and mentor assigned staff or interns

• Bachelor’s degree in economic development, urban or regional planning, engineering, public policy, business administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
• Five or more years of experience in economic development, industrial real estate, site development, infrastructure, or a related field
• Experience working with site selectors, corporate real estate professionals, or industry partners preferred
• Strong knowledge of industrial site development, infrastructure requirements, and permitting processes
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and project management skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Occasional travel, including statewide and national travel (up to 40%)

WEDC is committed to supporting the well‑being and growth of our team. We offer a remote‑first work environment that promotes work‑life balance, supported by generous paid time off (PTO) and a culture that values flexibility. Professional development is a priority at WEDC, and we invest in our employees through dedicated training resources, internal learning opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and support for professional certifications.

In addition to these development-focused offerings, employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System; a hybrid work allowance; and health, dental, vision, and life insurance.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution and EEO/Affirmative Action Employer committed to excellence through diversity. Employment offers are made on the basis of qualifications, and without regard to race, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

Applicants for employment are invited to participate in affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource…