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Economic Developer Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

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Economic Developer information

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$92

How much do economic developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for economic developer in Alabama is $60.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41.83 and $77.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an economic developer?

Economic Developers are professionals who work to improve the economic well-being and quality of life in a community or region. They do this by attracting new businesses, supporting existing companies, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable economic growth. Their responsibilities often include planning and managing development projects, securing funding, and collaborating with government agencies, businesses, and community groups. Economic Developers play a vital role in shaping the economic future of the areas they serve.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an economic developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Economic Developer, you need a solid background in economics, business administration, or urban planning, often supported by a relevant degree and experience in public or private sector development. Familiarity with data analysis tools, geographic information systems (GIS), and economic modeling software, as well as certifications like CEcD (Certified Economic Developer), are typically valuable. Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills set top performers apart in this field. These competencies are crucial for crafting effective development strategies, securing investments, and fostering sustainable economic growth within communities.

What are some common challenges economic developers face when working with local businesses and government agencies?

Economic Developers often work at the intersection of public and private interests, which can present challenges such as aligning the goals of local businesses with municipal regulations or community needs. Navigating complex approval processes, securing funding, and balancing economic growth with sustainable development are frequent hurdles. Effective communication and relationship-building skills are essential, as the role requires ongoing collaboration with government officials, business leaders, and community stakeholders to create win-win solutions.

What is the difference between Economic Developer vs Urban Planner?

AspectEconomic DeveloperUrban Planner
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in economics, business, or related field; often certifications in economic developmentBachelor's or master's in urban planning, geography, or related field; planning certifications
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, economic development organizations, consulting firmsMunicipalities, government agencies, private planning firms
Employer & Industry UsageFocuses on attracting and retaining businesses, job creation, economic growthFocuses on land use, zoning, community development, and urban design

While both roles aim to improve communities, Economic Developers primarily focus on economic growth and business attraction, whereas Urban Planners concentrate on land use and community development. They often collaborate but serve different core functions within urban development projects.

How much do economic developers make?

Economic developers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $90,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior or specialized roles can pay over $100,000, especially in larger organizations or regions with a high cost of living. The role often requires strong communication, project management skills, and knowledge of economic development tools and policies.

What are popular job titles related to Economic Developer jobs in Alabama?

For Economic Developer jobs in Alabama, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Economic Developer jobs in Alabama look for?

The top searched job categories for Economic Developer jobs in Alabama are:

Economic Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Economic Developer job openings in Alabama as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,682 per year, or $60.4 per hour.

Economic Development Director

Northport, AL • On-site

City of Northport, AL
See more jobs at City of Northport, ALexternal

$99K - $149K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Salary : $99,947.17 - $149,844.10 Annually
Location : Northport, AL
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Administration
Opening Date: 09/04/2026
Closing Date: 9/18/2026 4:00 PM Central
JOB SUMMARY & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Under the general direction of the City Administrator, this position serves as a primary point of contact for the current and potential retail, commercial, tourism, and development communities of the City of Northport. The position supports the City's economic development, business recruitment and retention, community revitalization, tourism and Main Street initiatives. The position assists businesses, developers, tourism-related organizations, and other stakeholders through applicable City processes and commercial development activities.
This position also provides administrative oversight and strategic direction for the City's Main Street Alabama program. The position is responsible for providing strategic oversight and direction for Experience Northport, the City's unified brand and marketing initiative designed to promote Northport to visitors, businesses, families, residents, and prospective investors.
The position works to promote Northport as a destination for business, tourism, events, shopping, dining, recreation, cultural activities, and investment, while coordinating these efforts with the City's broader economic development and community development goals.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
  • Serves as the City's primary contact with the retail, commercial, tourism, and business communities; facilitates effectively among individuals from a variety of backgrounds and the City's various departments.
  • Coordinates the flow of information between the community and City staff and assists businesses, developers, property owners, tourism-related organizations, and other stakeholders in navigating City processes.
  • Works with City staff to ensure timely resolution to issues affecting commercial development projects, businesses, tourism activities, and community events.
  • Assists with the recruitment and retention of businesses, retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, and tourism-related businesses that contribute to Northport's economic vitality and quality of life.
  • Assists in promoting Northport as a destination for visitors, businesses, families, events, recreation, shopping, dining, cultural activities, and other tourism opportunities.
  • Develops and maintains relationships with local businesses, tourism organizations, chambers of commerce, civic organizations, educational institutions, regional tourism partners, and other community stakeholders.
  • Assists with the development, coordination, and promotion of tourism initiatives, special events, festivals, attractions, and activities designed to generate visitors and economic activity within the City.
  • Assists in identifying opportunities to enhance Northport's visitor experience and increase visitor spending, business activity, and community engagement.
  • Assists in identifying opportunities to leverage Northport's historic, cultural, recreational, educational, and community assets for economic and tourism development.
  • May attend local, state, and national conferences, trade shows, meetings, and other events to market Northport to prospective retailers, developers, businesses, visitors, and tourism partners.
  • Assists in the collection and analysis of demographic, economic, retail, tourism, and visitor data.
  • Tracks retail and commercial development into and out of the City of Northport and investigates factors affecting business recruitment, retention, expansion, relocation, or closure.
  • Assists in identifying economic and tourism trends and provides recommendations regarding opportunities for Northport.
  • Serves, when assigned, as the City's representative to the business, tourism, institutional, and community organizations.
  • Works to develop a culture of partnership and teamwork among City employees, businesses, developers, tourism organizations, and the Northport community.
  • Attends City Council meetings and other meetings as assigned by the City Administrator.
  • Creates and updates forms, reports, correspondence, presentations, promotional materials, and other documents associated with the position. Maintains files and records.
  • Provides strategic oversight and direction for Experience Northport, the City's unified brand and marketing initiative for promoting Northport to visitors, businesses, families, residents, and prospective investors.
  • Establishes, in coordination with the City Administrator, the overall goals, priorities, and strategic direction for the Experience Northport brand and marketing initiative.
  • Ensures that Experience Northport supports and advances the City's broader economic development, tourism, business recruitment and retention, community development, and quality-of-life objectives.
  • Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with businesses, tourism organizations, community organizations, regional partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen and expand the reach of the Experience Northport brand.
  • Provides oversight and direction for the development and implementation of marketing, promotional, public relations, and branding strategies associated with Experience Northport.
  • Ensures consistency in the City's use and presentation of the Experience Northport brand across appropriate City departments, programs, events, businesses, tourism initiatives, and community partnerships.
  • Identifies opportunities to use the Experience Northport brand to strengthen Northport's identity and reputation as a place to visit, do business, raise a family, invest, and live.
  • Works with City staff, the Main Street Alabama Coordinator, tourism partners, businesses, and other stakeholders to align appropriate marketing and promotional efforts with the Experience Northport brand.
  • Evaluates the overall effectiveness and impact of Experience Northport and recommends strategic adjustments and future opportunities to the City Administrator.
  • Provides periodic updates to the City Administrator and other City leadership regarding the progress, impact, and strategic direction of Experience Northport.
  • Provides administrative oversight and strategic direction for the City's Main Street Alabama program.
  • Directly supervises the Main Street Alabama Coordinator and provides direction, guidance, and performance oversight consistent with the City's goals and priorities.
  • Works with the Main Street Alabama Coordinator to establish annual goals, priorities, work plans, and measurable objectives for downtown revitalization, business development, promotion, design, tourism, and community engagement.
  • Reviews and monitors the activities, programs, events, and initiatives of the Main Street Alabama Coordinator to ensure alignment with City policies, priorities, and strategic objectives.
  • Provides guidance and support to the Main Street Alabama Coordinator in coordinating downtown business recruitment and retention, events, marketing, promotions, beautification, placemaking, and community engagement.
  • Ensures effective communication and coordination between the Main Street Alabama Coordinator, City departments, the City Administrator, elected officials, downtown businesses, property owners, civic organizations, and other community stakeholders.
  • Works with the Main Street Alabama Coordinator to identify opportunities to strengthen downtown Northport as an economic, cultural, entertainment, and tourism destination.
  • Coordinates with the Main Street Alabama Coordinator to incorporate appropriate downtown businesses, events, attractions, and initiatives into Experience Northport marketing and branding efforts.
  • Monitors the effectiveness and impact of Main Street programs and initiatives and provides regular updates, recommendations, and performance information to the City Administrator.
  • Assists with the development of annual Main Street priorities and budgets and monitors program activities and expenditures to ensure resources are used effectively and in accordance with City policies.
  • Coordinates Main Street initiatives with the City's broader economic development, tourism, and Experience Northport efforts to maximize business recruitment, visitor activity, community investment, and downtown revitalization.
  • Supports the Main Street Alabama Coordinator in maintaining appropriate relationships with Main Street Alabama and other downtown revitalization organizations, while allowing the Coordinator to serve as the day-to-day program contact.
  • Represents the City in Main Street-related meetings and activities as assigned by the City Administrator.
  • Performs other duties related to Main Street Alabama oversight and downtown revitalization as assigned.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, plus a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience, including significant experience in municipal government, with additional experience in economic development, tourism, business development, community development, marketing, event management, facility or venue management, Main Street, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Qualifications:
  • Possession of a valid, State of Alabama driver's license to operate a motor vehicle. Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment.
  • Significant experience in the management and administration of programs, initiatives, projects, events, contracts, facilities, or community-based organizations, with demonstrated ability to establish goals, develop work plans, manage resources, monitor performance, and achieve desired results.
  • Demonstrated experience supervising and managing employees, including assigning work, establishing expectations, providing direction, evaluating performance, addressing performance issues, and fostering a positive and productive work environment.
  • Demonstrated experience planning, coordinating, and overseeing events, including working with event organizers, vendors, contractors, sponsors, community partners, and the public.
  • Experience overseeing contractors, vendors, or third-party operators responsible for public facilities, event venues, sports facilities, recreational facilities, or similar community assets preferred.
  • Experience monitoring service contracts, contractor performance, budgets, schedules, and compliance with established standards and City expectations preferred.
  • Experience in economic development, business recruitment and retention, tourism, hospitality, marketing, community development, downtown revitalization, branding, or Main Street programs preferred.
  • Experience working with businesses, tourism organizations, chambers of commerce, Main Street organizations, economic development organizations, community organizations, or similar partners preferred.
  • Experience working in a municipal or public-sector environment preferred.
  • Experience with a municipal software management system is preferred.
  • Must be bondable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES/PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise, lead, and develop employees, establish clear expectations, delegate responsibilities, monitor performance, and maintain accountability.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple programs, projects, contracts, initiatives, and priorities simultaneously while meeting established goals, deadlines, and budgetary requirements.
  • Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with elected officials, City employees, businesses, developers, contractors, tourism partners, community organizations, event organizers, residents, and the general public.
  • Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to organize, review, analyze, and accurately communicate complex information and ensure that projects, programs, contracts, and initiatives are carried through to completion.
  • Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to establish priorities, manage competing demands, exercise sound judgment, and develop practical solutions.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of economic development, business recruitment and retention, tourism, downtown revitalization, Main Street principles, marketing, branding, event development, and community engagement.
  • Ability to provide strategic oversight and direction for Experience Northport and align branding, marketing, tourism, business development, and community initiatives with the City's overall goals.
  • Ability to provide effective administrative and strategic oversight of the Main Street Alabama program and directly supervise the Main Street Alabama Coordinator while maintaining appropriate accountability and performance standards.
  • Ability to oversee contractors and third-party operators responsible for City-owned facilities and venues, including monitoring performance, contracts, budgets, schedules, deliverables, and compliance with City expectations.
  • Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with a diverse range of businesses, organizations, governmental agencies, community partners, and stakeholders and represent the City of Northport in a professional manner.
  • Ability to collect, analyze, and apply demographic, economic, tourism, visitor, business, event, and other relevant data to support sound recommendations and decisions.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, demonstrate integrity, and consistently represent the City of Northport at the highest ethical standards.
  • Knowledge of communication and public relations.
  • Knowledge of City ordinances, policies, and procedures.
  • Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint,

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