Senior Economic Development Manager

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

The selected candidate can sit anywhere within the Duke Energy footprint of North Carolina or South Carolina

Position Summary 

To increase electric revenues, improve local economies, and enhance Duke Energy’s brand by recruiting new electrically profitable industrial and commercial load to our service footprint. A good economic development manager will accomplish that by: 

• Maintaining a wide array of allies across the economic development spectrum 

• Developing an understanding of the forces which drive projects to choose a new site and the tactics used by the economic development profession to succeed in winning these projects. 

• Bringing deep knowledge of energy and utility company operations to the Economic Development arena 

• Using company resources to lead, to innovate, and to ultimately win projects 

• Representing the company at all levels and at all times as a consummate professional 

Responsibilities 

• Negotiate and execute complex economic development transactions with potential customers within the data center, commercial and industrial space. Includes providing guidance and direction to potential customers around site adequacy, state/community engagement, generation capacity, transmission timelines, customer delivery costs obligations and other contractual requirements. 

• Identify market opportunities and develop innovative solutions to customer challenges 

• Work cross-functionally across internal organizational boundaries to advance economic development initiatives  

• Manage economic development lead(s)/project(s) in the region by developing effective working relationships with state, regional, and local economic development network to enhance Duke Energy’s influence in the regional economy. Manage leads/projects in the region – overseeing activity, resources, negotiations, and packages required for project closure. Work with State Departments of Commerce, as well as regional and local economic development associations and organizations. Build trade ally network through membership in targeted economic development support organizations. Business development activities within existing state, region and local networks; including product (site) development and site analysis/assistance for communities and state representatives. Provide information, data and marketing materials for network representatives as needed to meet client needs. Conduct client visits to service area. 

• Implement strategies and tactics for creating economic growth to stimulate the economic vitality of the Duke footprint in the Carolinas, Midwest and Florida.  Communicate as needed across internal and external networks regarding leads and pertinent information. Communication interfaces include but are not limited to lead generation channels such as site selection coordinators, existing customers, new customers, trade show and foreign trip contacts. Other contacts/relationship development and management requirements include Local ED professionals, Regional ED professionals, State ED professionals, Workforce training program contacts, local elected officials, state elected officials, ally communities, and other professional ED organizations. 

Basic/Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Economics, Accounting or Business AND five (5) years minimum required related experience 

• In lieu of degree(s) and years' experience listed above, High School/GED AND 10 years minimum required related experience 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Proven experience in commercial transactions, contract negotiations (especially with hyperscale load customers), and complex economic development deal structures. 

• Strong understanding of both regulated and non-regulated utility environments, with technical knowledge of the energy industry, including rates, power delivery, and customer service. 

• Demonstrated expertise in economic development, particularly in data center and industrial project management, with exposure to large-scale manufacturing, general construction, real estate development, and project finance. 

• Effective communicator with excellent written and verbal presentation skills; experienced in interfacing with all levels of internal and external stakeholders. <