Contractual Entry Level Economic Development Jobs

Overview

The Project Manager serves on a project management team within the Office of Business Development at Louisiana Economic Development (LED). The Project Manager directly supports LED’s efforts to conduct national-caliber business recruitment, expansion, and retention practices. The Project Manager plays a key role in the achievement of LED’s business plan goals by securing project wins (corporate expansions or locations) which result in Louisiana capital investment and job creation. To secure project wins, a Project Manager must plan, organize, and manage resources to bring about the successful completion of a specific project for a company interested in expanding in or relocating to Louisiana. The Project Manager is expected to work primarily in a leadership role on multiple concurrent projects, while occasionally working in a support role. The Project Manager strives to accomplish all of the project goals and objectives while working within defined project constraints: people, time, cost, and performance requirements.

 Key Responsibilities

• Develop customized Louisiana Solutions that present a compelling case for companies considering expansion or relocation to Louisiana.
• Assess company needs, address concerns, and present business development solutions with speed, confidence, and professionalism.
• Prepare proposals, presentations, and other materials that align with LED’s current branding, messaging, and Louisiana value proposition.
• Lead economic development projects from initial prospect engagement through agreement execution, announcement, and implementation.
• Analyze project return on investment and develop competitive incentive packages that generate positive economic benefits for Louisiana.
• Ensure companies and partners understand incentive terms, agreement requirements, reporting obligations, and project expectations.
• Provide excellent client service and coordinate with LED teams, state agencies, educational institutions, and regional or local economic development partners.
• Maintain expertise in Louisiana’s sites, buildings, workforce, infrastructure, tax advantages, incentive programs, and other competitive assets.
• Maintain accurate and timely project records, communications, and status updates in LED’s CRM database.
• Monitor assigned incentive agreements and manage special project assignments.

Major Activities Include

• Develop Louisiana Solutions based on the company’s industry, business needs, and key project decision criteria.
• Identify appropriate sites and buildings and coordinate site visits, presentations, and supporting materials.
• Coordinate communications with company representatives and LED project team members at critical stages of the project.
• Prepare accurate, well-structured proposals, reports, presentations, and project documents.
• Conduct return-on-investment analyses and develop incentive recommendations using state-to-state competitive analysis.
• Develop and execute negotiation strategies with company representatives.
• Assist LED Legal with Cooperative Endeavor Agreements and ensure negotiated incentive terms and conditions are accurately included.
• Coordinate with LED divisions, state agencies, workforce partners, and economic development organizations to support project wins.
• Support project announcements, media releases, press conferences, and communications plans.
• Track project details and status in the CRM database and provide updates to LED leadership and project partners.
• Collect required project data, support companies after announcement, and monitor contractual reporting and progress requirements.
• Recruit internal and external assistance for project assignments and travel as needed.

Our Work Culture

• Training and development opportunities to support your professional growth to set you up for success.
• Supportive and collaborative team environment where employees are valued, heard and respected.
• Clear communication channels and transparent leadership to foster trust and open dialogue.
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth through training, mentorship and career development programs.
• Emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion practices to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace.
• Commitment to employee well-being with comprehensive benefits packages and resources for mental health support.
• A new positive and uplifting healthy work culture that promotes positivity, creativity, and a sense of belonging.
• Empowerment and autonomy core values that emphasize training and trusting employees to take ownership of their work and be proactive.

Working Conditions

Standard office environment with regular office hours and remote work, but may require additional hours for events, meetings, and other activities.

Work Experience

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, Economics, Engineering or related degrees
• Master’s degree in Business or related fields desirable, but not required

Experience required

• Experience in business development and/or economic development
• Project management certification (e.g., PMP, CSM, ACP, CPM) is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Communications skills including written reports and verbal presentations

Experience desired

• Successful track record in sales and marketing
• Real estate sales/development
• Financial analysis
• Management/leadership roles

Personal attributes

• Relationship building: develop, maintain, and strengthens relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with a positive and collaborative attitude.
• Proactive problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to changing project requirements.
• Ability to effectively manage and communicate with various stakeholders to drive project success.
• Critical thinking: strong problem solving and analytical skills with the ability to evaluate opportunity
• Adaptable: comfortable with ambiguity as decisions or processes evolve over time and the ability to quickly refine strategies after receiving feedback from stakeholders
• Results/goal oriented: ability to focus on initiatives with the commitment to achieving desired outcomes
• Timely: ability to juggle and prioritize multiple tasks and achieve completion deadlines
• Detail oriented: committed to maintaining order and accuracy of details
• Willingness to travel

Louisiana Economic Development is transforming the state’s approach to economic development. With a mission to cultivate jobs and build meaningful economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana, LED is modernizing its organizational structure to operate at the speed of business, proactively and comprehensively supporting the state’s existing business ecosystem, and aggressively competing to attract new ones.

LED is excited to identify leaders who share this vision of success.