Economic Development Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

This position serves in a dual-capacity role to facilitate, coordinate, and lead economic development activities and strategic initiatives throughout rural Pottawattamie County and Mills County, Iowa, on behalf of Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation (ASWIC) and Mills County Economic Development Foundation (MCEDF). The position holds direct responsibility for advancing business recruitment, retention, expansion, entrepreneurship, and community development initiatives across both service areas. The role is responsible for fostering job creation, supporting private capital investment, encouraging business growth, and advancing long-term economic prosperity throughout both Counties. This position will cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with municipalities, county governments, utility providers, businesses, developers, community leaders, educational institutions, workforce partners, and other key stakeholders to strengthen the overall business climate, support infrastructure and workforce development initiatives, encourage new investment, and expand the local tax base within rural Pottawattamie County and Mills County. In addition, this position will proactively identify and pursue opportunities that enhance regional competitiveness, promote site and community readiness, support existing industry, and position both counties for sustainable economic growth and long-term investment success.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Promote business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts throughout rural Pottawattamie and Mills Counties. Provide direct assistance to businesses and developers including identification of real estate and site opportunities; access to local, regional, and state incentive programs; financing resources; coordination with utility providers regarding infrastructure capacity and improvements; facilitation of zoning, planning, annexation, and entitlement processes; connections to workforce development and training programs; and access to relevant demographic, labor, and market data.

2. Conduct regular outreach and engagement with all communities located within rural Pottawattamie and Mills Counties, including providing ongoing communication, project updates, and formal presentations to City Councils, County Boards of Supervisors, utility boards, and other local governing bodies and stakeholder organizations.

3. Serve as lead project manager and primary point of contact for new-to-market business attraction projects, business expansion opportunities, and other economic development initiatives within rural Pottawattamie and Mills Counties, as well as additional ASWIC and MCEDF projects as assigned. Responsibilities include providing accurate and timely information to clients and site selectors; coordinating all inbound and outbound project communications and site visits; ensuring consistent follow-up and follow-through; facilitating coordination among public and private stakeholders; and maintaining complete, accurate, and organized digital project records.

4. Plan, coordinate, and implement public relations, marketing, and community awareness initiatives designed to elevate the visibility of economic development opportunities, available sites, infrastructure investments, and business growth activities throughout rural Pottawattamie and Mills Counties.

5. Build and maintain collaborative relationships with investors, funding partners, municipal officials, county leadership, utility providers, educational institutions, regional organizations, state agencies, and other local and regional economic development stakeholders to advance strategic economic development goals.

6. Monitor, evaluate, and remain informed regarding local, regional, state, and federal policies, legislation, programs, and funding opportunities that may impact economic development, infrastructure investment, workforce development, housing, business recruitment, and industry growth within rural Pottawattamie and Mills Counties.

7. Support community development efforts to increase the attractiveness of the region for the recruitment of businesses and workforce. Advocate for and encourage broad-based support of these initiatives.

8. Prepare and deliver regular reports, project updates, and formal presentations to ASWIC and MCEDF leadership, investors, partner organizations, City Councils, County Boards of Supervisors, and other stakeholder groups regarding economic development activities, project pipelines, community engagement efforts, and organizational outcomes.

9. Serve as the Executive for the Mills County Economic Development Foundation coordinating board meetings, financial reports, strategic planning, budgeting, and other Board management. Coordinate with the MCEDF Board president and Executive Committee to set agendas.

10. Establish and maintain a strong and collaborative working relationship with the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), including coordination on business recruitment, incentive programs, workforce initiatives, infrastructure opportunities, and community development efforts.

11. Actively utilize and maintain the partnerships CRM and project management systems to accurately track business outreach activities, project activity, partner engagement, site inventory, investor relations, and related economic development initiatives.

12. Perform additional duties and special projects assigned in support of the regional economic development mission and strategic priorities within Mills County and rural Pottawattamie County.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Coordinate activities and projects with the CEO of ASWIC.

2. Adhere to and follow all the Guiding Principles as set forth by the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership Agreement.

3. Actively participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion training to advance one’s own journey of inclusion and acceptance.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:

This position shall operate in accordance with the financial policies, procedures, and budgetary guidelines established by both Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation (ASWIC) and the Mills County Economic Development Foundation (MCEDF). All expenditures associated with MCEDF activities, initiatives, and operations shall be reviewed by the ASWIC CEO and submitted to the MCEDF Board of Directors for review and final approval prior to payment or reimbursement. Expenditures associated with ASWIC activities and operations shall be reviewed and approved by the ASWIC CEO in accordance with established organizational policies and approved budgets, with all authorized expenditures subsequently submitted for payment through ASWIC’s standard financial procedures. The position is expected to maintain accurate records, exercise sound fiscal stewardship, and ensure transparency and accountability in all financial matters.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, the individual must reside in or have established business relationships in Pottawattamie County or Mills County and be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed should be representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and related work experience

Preferred applicant will have at least five years of experience in economic, community or real estate development activities.

Certifications, Licenses, Designations

Valid Driver's License

Other Skills and Qualifications

1. Proficient in use of Microsoft Office, Adobe and CRM platforms and software.

2. Must be able to work independently and display exceptional time management skills.

3. Ability to operate audio visual equipment.

4. Exposure to and/or experience with GIS software preferred.

5. Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple projects with short deadlines.

6. Excellent attention to detail.

7. Demonstrated effective communication skills (written and oral).

8. Team environment player.

9. Strong marketing and negotiation skills.

10. Must be able to drive and/or provide own transportation.

Physical Demands

Typical office environment