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Economic Development Director Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Wayne County

Dep Dir-Econ Develop-002901

Detroit, MI

Under the leadership of the Assistant County Executive, the Deputy Director - Economic Development supervises the work of a growing staff working on economic development, business development, and ...

Wayne County

Dep Dir-Econ Develop-002901

Detroit, MI · On-site

Under the leadership of the Assistant County Executive, the Deputy Director - Economic Development supervises the work of a growing staff working on economic development, business development, and ...

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All JobsEconomic Development Director JobsEconomic Development Director Jobs in Michigan

Economic Development Director information

See Michigan salary details

$42.3K

$108K

$176.1K

How much do economic development director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for economic development director in Michigan is $108,020.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $133,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Economic Development Director vs Economic Development Specialist?

AspectEconomic Development DirectorEconomic Development Specialist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Economics, Business, or Public Administration; experience in economic planningSimilar credentials, often with less managerial experience
Work EnvironmentLeadership role in government agencies or economic development organizationsSupport role, assisting with projects and research
Employer & IndustryMunicipalities, regional agencies, economic development firmsLocal government departments, economic development offices
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in economic developmentLearning about supporting roles in economic growth projects

The main difference between an Economic Development Director and an Economic Development Specialist lies in their level of responsibility and leadership. The Director oversees strategic planning and manages teams, while the Specialist focuses on supporting projects and research. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work within government or economic organizations, but the Director holds a higher managerial position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Economic Development Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Economic Development Director, you need expertise in economic analysis, project management, and public policy, typically supported by a degree in economics, public administration, or a related field. Familiarity with economic modeling software, GIS tools, and grant management systems is often required, along with certifications such as Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). Strong leadership, strategic communication, and relationship-building abilities help foster collaboration among public, private, and community stakeholders. These skills are crucial for identifying growth opportunities, securing funding, and driving sustainable economic progress in a community or region.

What are the main challenges Economic Development Directors face when balancing community needs and business interests?

Economic Development Directors often need to align the interests of local businesses, government stakeholders, and community members, which can be challenging due to differing priorities. For example, attracting new businesses might conflict with preserving community character or addressing affordable housing. Success in this role frequently involves transparent communication, creative problem-solving, and building consensus through public engagement and strategic partnerships. Navigating these complexities requires adaptability and a strong understanding of both economic trends and local needs.

What does an Economic Development Director do?

An Economic Development Director is responsible for creating and implementing strategies to promote economic growth within a community or region. They work to attract new businesses, support existing ones, and encourage job creation by collaborating with local government officials, business leaders, and community organizations. Their duties often include managing economic incentive programs, overseeing redevelopment projects, and conducting market research to identify opportunities for development. Ultimately, their goal is to improve the local economy and enhance the quality of life for residents.

What Is an Economic Development Director?

An economic development director is a city government employee who helps spur the city economy. Your two biggest responsibilities are to persuade new businesses to move into your town and to encourage existing businesses to expand. You attend fundraising events for civic and business groups and interact with donors to make connections with potentially valuable economic partners. Your duties include developing strategic programs for economic and financial growth, analyzing market trends, writing city tax policy proposals, and advising the city manager and the city council.

More about Economic Development Director jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Economic Development jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Economic Development jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Economic Development Director jobs in Michigan? For Economic Development Director jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Economic Development Director jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Economic Development Director jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Economic Development Director jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Economic Development Director job openings:
Economic Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Economic Development Director job openings in Michigan as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,020 per year, or $51.9 per hour.
Economic Development Program Manager

Economic Development Program Manager

The City of Bay City, Michigan

Bay City, MI • On-site

$30.40/hr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

JOB SUMMARY
This is administrative and technical work in economic development, environmental programs, and marketing management. The work involves developing and coordinating the City's economic development strategies; maintaining liaison with local, state and federal agencies responsible for economic growth; acting as a contact person for business and environmental concerns requiring information on local economic development and brownfield programs and policies and providing staff assistance for organizations as assigned.
Position provides direct assistance to businesses with problems concerning all municipal services, including coordination of permits and zoning. The position serves as a liaison for Bay City Electric, Light and Power (BCELP) and provides assistance to economic development projects and existing businesses with electric rate and service issues. This includes serving as an advocate for any City business or potential business to facilitate a successful service interaction with all respective City departments.
Position provides assistance with environmental needs, as assigned. This includes overseeing the Middleground Landfill, environmental reviews for federally funded projects, and environmental concerns on property located in the City.
ILLUSTRATIVE JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical assignment to the class. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.
  1. Serves as a representative of the City of Bay City at various meetings and works closely with Bay Future in the effective marketing and development of commercial and industrial properties located in the City.
  2. Collaborates with the Economic Development Project Manager and Community Development Director, as well as other City Divisions and Departments to plan and implement the City's economic development programs and objectives.
  3. Provides premier customer service to citizens, internal and external customers by responding to requests in a positive, timely, effective and professional manner.
  4. Provides professional economic development advice, assists in applications, permits, and zoning requirements. Coordinates interaction and assistance between developers, contractors, and other City departments.
  5. Develops and implements a business recruitment, retention, and expansion campaign in partnership with Bay Future, Inc.
  6. Coordinates economic development strategies for redevelopment of property that is abandoned or underutilized. Promotes the redevelopment of city-owned and private-sector industrial and commercial properties. This includes the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy to identify and effectively market all industrial and commercial properties that are not being utilized or are underutilized.
  1. Maintains confidentiality while participating in negotiations for the acquisition or disposition of real property.
  2. Gathers information on other local, state and federal economic development programs to ensure the City's programs are contemporary and competitive. Develops and implements short and long-range economic development strategies and action/work plans, public/private partnerships for development, and business assistance programs for existing and prospective businesses. Recommends adjustments in programs, activities, policies, and procedures to further economic development goals. Additional responsibilities include the packaging, coordination and document management of local, state and federal economic development incentives.
  3. Maintains contacts with local business owners and operators to inform them of the City's economic development policies and programs and assess their needs for assistance. Serves as liaison with business entities during development to access the various programs such as the Brownfield, Obsolete Properties, Industrial Facilities Exemption, Neighborhood Enterprise Zones, as well as other City services. Works with clients to promote the use of Bay City Electric, Light and Power system and services.
  4. Meets with prospects, developers, and business representatives to discuss opportunities and incentive programs; provides information regarding development sites, city regulations, and conducts client and prospect tours. Provide technical assistance to clients interested in local, state, and federal incentive programs.
  5. Serves as liaison for the City's Economic Development Corporation and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. Serves as the project manager of the City's brownfield programs. Brownfield programs involve the coordination, review, document management, oversight and ongoing implementation of the City's Brownfield plans, marketing and management of the City's Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund, and associated incentives.
  6. Proposes and writes resolutions, staff reports, and other official documents as required related to economic development. Makes presentations to the City Commission, business community groups, and the general public regarding economic development programs, issues, policies, initiatives, and incentives. Follows up on Commission actions and requests related to Economic Development and City-owned property with environmental concerns.
  7. Completes HUD Part 58 environmental reviews for federally sourced funds for projects within the City limits. This includes funding awarded to other organizations whose projects are on properties within the City, as well as the City's CDBG and HOME projects annual funding.
  8. Authors applies for, and serves as liaison for federal, state, and local grants obtained, including grant management and reporting. Coordinates grant and redevelopment opportunities between stakeholders to increase effectiveness and return on investment.
  9. Supports management of the Middleground Landfill site. This involves reviewing environmental reports, preparing and maintaining the budget for the site, and coordination of meetings and communication with the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP) group and the landfill attorney firm.
  1. Build and maintains effective, professional relationships with business leaders, advisory groups, citizens, state and local government leaders, private developers, realtors, banking and financial leaders, professional economic development and trade associations, economic development professionals and other community leaders.
  2. Coordinates City's efforts with infrastructure improvements in connection with economic development related projects including, but not limited to, preparing requests for bids, solicitation of consultants, project plans and specifications.
  3. Implement City's tax increment finance plan specific improvements and property assemblage for the Marquette Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) and the Midland Street TIFA Districts and associated annual reporting.
  4. Participates in civic organizations and related activities in the interest of maintaining contacts. Develops, implements, and participates in special business community events to promote business development and vitality.
  5. Frequent interaction with developers and serves as primary contact with environmental consultants, attorneys, architectural and/or engineering design professionals as well as building and infrastructure contractors and crews to implement the City's development activities.
  6. Participates in the preparation and administration of the Economic Development Division budget, TIFA budgets, Middleground Landfill budget, brownfield program budgets, and other budgets as assigned.
  7. Provides technical support and coordinates clerical and other staff support for various organizations as assigned.
  8. Coordinates with the City's attorney and external law firms, as required.
  9. Supports the Economic Development Project Manager in certain aspects of their roles and responsibilities
  10. Performs related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
Knowledge of:
  • This position is required to participate in various activities to maintain knowledge of current programs and practices in economic development in Bay County and the State of Michigan.
  • Sensitive handling of confidential and proprietary information is required.

Ability to:
  • Ability to analyze problems, identify multiple solutions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
  • Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions, as well as establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, citizens, developers, financiers, and other government agencies and officials.
  • Attend after hour's meetings and public speaking.
  • Meet project deadlines which may require working more than 40 hours per week occasionally

Education/Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in economics, marketing, planning, public or business administration or related field. A certification from IEDC in economic development and/or Master's Degree in Business Administration is preferred.
  • Five years of increasingly responsible work experience in any combination of public or private business, real estate development or construction management, or economic development and/or experience in a legal environment. Experience with brownfield and environmental incentive programs highly desirable.
  • Previous public relations and marketing experience highly desirable.
  • Excellent communication skills; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Must possess and maintain a valid Michigan driver's license. Must possess excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to work with numerous interruptions and work effectively under time constraints to meet deadlines.

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