Economic Development Project Manager

Posting number: 26-00284

Department: Economic Development

Division: Economic Development

Job classification: Economic Development Project Manager

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Economic Development

Summary

Responsible for attracting, expanding, and retaining businesses across Denton. This position will assist companies exploring growth opportunities by helping them navigate site selection, real estate options, public incentives, workforce connections, and strategic partnerships. This position will manage projects across Denton’s commercial and industrial corridors, focusing on existing businesses and target industries including technology, life sciences, aviation, advanced manufacturing and mobility, creative, and other emerging industries.

Examples of duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
 
DUTIES

• Advise business executive leadership teams on relocation or expansion opportunities in Denton, including site selection, incentives, relevant university programs, and state and local business resources. 
• Assist or lead supporting special projects such as retail recruitment initiatives and the advancement of tech ecosystem and startup recruitment pipelines.
• Manage, coordinate, and draft comprehensive responses to Requests for Information (RFIs) received from site selectors, companies, and regional economic partners such as the Governor's Office of Economic Development and Dallas Regional Chamber to ensure all site data, utilities, and community metrics are submitted accurately and on time.
• Perform detailed quantitative analyses and return-on-investment (ROI) modeling to evaluate prospective corporate projects, using economic modeling tools to determine appropriate public incentive thresholds, tax impacts, and community benefits.
• Structure, negotiate, and draft economic incentive proposals and formal legal agreements, coordinating with the City Attorney's Office to ensure compliance with municipal policies, City Council guidelines, and Texas local government codes (e.g., Chapter 380/312 agreements).
• Assist businesses in evaluating commercial and industrial real estate opportunities, including assessing utility access, navigating zoning and permitting requirements, and optimizing speed to market for the development site.
• Organize and lead site tours, partner meetings, and market visits for prospective businesses, covering office, industrial, manufacturing, and research locations.
• Develop tailored proposals, pitch decks, memorandums, presentations, and other materials that communicate Denton’s value proposition and project recommendations to internal and external audiences.
• Manage business development projects from intake through execution, including incentive applications, analyses, administrative deadlines, board and council approvals, and follow-up actions.
• Support business talent needs by assisting with the coordination of local job fairs, staying continuously abreast of regional workforce resources, and continuing to learn and leverage university offerings and educational talent pipelines.
• Maintain Denton’s business development pipeline using CRM tools to track KPIs and maintain regular reporting metrics. 
• Primarily work on incoming prospect leads with occasional lead generation duties, conducting company, industry, and market research to identify business attraction targets and strategic growth opportunities.
• Conduct extensive market intelligence, consumer behavior, and labor market research using advanced data analytics tools such as JobsEQ and other industry databases to generate insights, identify industry trends, and generate reports. 
• Coordinate with local, state, and international partners and trade organizations, to support business attraction and retention. 
• Represent Denton at regional industry conferences, networking events to promote the city as a premier destination for business growth and investment.

 SUPERVISORY/BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES 

• None. 

 OTHER DUTIES 
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  

Qualifications

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or relat