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Economic Development Director Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Utah State University

Business Consultant

Beaver, UT · On-site

Coordinate with USU Extension, agricultural organizations, economic development partners, local ... Matthew Pinner Executive Director Civil Rights & Title IX Office matthew.pinner@usu.edu 435-797 ...

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Economic Development Director information

See Utah salary details

$44.2K

$112.8K

$183.9K

How much do economic development director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for economic development director in Utah is $112,826.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $139,700.00 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 Utah? The most popular types of Economic Development jobs in Utah are:
What are popular job titles related to Economic Development Director jobs in Utah? For Economic Development Director jobs in Utah, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Economic Development Director jobs in Utah look for? The top searched job categories for Economic Development Director jobs in Utah are:
What cities in Utah are hiring for Economic Development Director jobs? Cities in Utah with the most Economic Development Director job openings:
Economic Development Director jobs near you

FT - Assistant Economic Development Director - Economic Development Division

City of Ogden, Utah

Ogden, UT

$46.30 - $67.14/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

ASSISTANT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Department: Community & Economic Development

Division: Economic Development

Pay Grade: GRADE 175: $96,311.45 - $139,651.60 Annual Salary ($46.30 - $67.14 Hourly Rate)

FLSA Status: Exempt, Non-Merit, Full-Time, & Eligible for Benefits

GENERAL PURPOSE

This position provides high-level support to the Economic Development Director in developing and implementing the Economic Development division's strategies. It leads projects in business retention and expansion and may also manage projects in business recruitment, small business support, and redevelopment. The position reports to the Economic Development Director.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

  • Participate in developing and implementing the Economic Development Division's strategy.
  • Develop and implement strategies for Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) and lead BRE projects and overall business support and resource development.
  • Engage with existing businesses, understand their challenges and opportunities, solve problems to address concerns, and communicate information about city resources and projects.
  • Lead and/or contribute to Ogden City Economic Development's efforts to enhance the building blocks of economic development, such as workforce development, talent attraction, and promotion of the region to target industries.
  • Support development and redevelopment projects, including property acquisition, entitlement, environmental assessments, and real estate transactions.
  • Support strategy and implementation for Ogden City Economic Development's marketing and communications efforts.
  • Contribute to Business Recruitment projects, including developing technical proposals for business prospects, coordinating site visits and meetings with community partners, and conducting complex research and data analysis.
  • Keep abreast of new trends and innovations in Business and Economic Development.
  • Assist in hiring, training, and supervising Economic Development staff.
  • Assist with administrative duties as needed/directed by the Economic Development Director, including staff timesheet management, approvals, and contract and expenditure review and approval.
  • Manage contracts for division projects and programs, including procurement, preparation, and routing of contracts, tracking contract performance, and overseeing payments for work performed.
  • Organize, conduct, and follow up with business and public outreach activities.
  • Respond to and resolve complex and sensitive business and citizen inquiries and challenges.
  • Maintain relationships and coordinate with key community partners that support businesses, such as Chambers of Commerce, educational institutions, and industry associations.
  • Use real estate databases and other tools to search for sites and buildings that best meet project parameters for prospects. Maintain relationships with real estate brokers and developers active in the area to remain aware of upcoming real estate options.
  • Familiar with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) concept of database management and diligently maintains records related to all contacts and projects.
  • Assist businesses with the City's permitting and entitlement process. Participate in safety and risk management activities; take action to reduce liability to the city.
  • Attendance and punctuality are essential functions of this position. Employees are required to work as a team and frequently meet with co-workers and supervisors; employees are required to communicate in person with the public during office hours; and employees are required to use on-site equipment.
  • Perform other related duties as required/assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

  • At least four years of increasingly responsible economic development experience. Prior supervisory and administrative responsibility is preferred.
  • Bachelor's Degree in Business, Economics, Public Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field.
  • An equivalent combination of the above-stated work experience and education is acceptable.
  • Certified Economic Developer (CED) designation preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Possession of, or ability to obtain an appropriate, valid Utah driver's license.
  • Employee will be required to complete NIMS IS100, IS200, IS300, IS400, IS700, IS703, I775, IS701 and IS800 within one year of hire.

Failure to obtain/maintain license and certificate as outlined above may result in termination from the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of economic and real estate development.
  • Knowledge of the principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of marketing and communications.
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of program development and administration.
  • Skill in networking and cultivating professional relationships with new and existing contacts.
  • Skill in working professionally in a team setting or independently.
  • Skill in organizing time/workload and adapting work priorities when needed.
  • Skill in responding quickly and accurately to short deadlines, new instructions, and internal policies and practices.
  • Skills in using Microsoft Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and social media tools, including LinkedIn.
  • Knowledge of standard research methods and resources.
  • Skill in communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Ability to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception is needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading and writing, and operating assigned equipment as required by the position.
  • Ability to maintain mental capacity, which allows for effective interaction and communication with others.
  • Ability to comply with all city policies and regulations, including safety and risk management standards.

OGDEN CITY BENEFITS

  • Language Pay
  • Longevity Pay
  • Holidays
  • Sick, Vacation, and Comp Time Leave
  • Medical and Dental
  • EAP- Employee Assistance Program
  • Life Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability
  • Employee Loan Program- Computer, Bike & Exercise equipment loans when available
  • Wellness Program
  • Tuition Reimbursement

OGDEN CITY FULL JOB POSTING ATTACHED AS PDF

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