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Economic Development Director Jobs in Charleston, SC

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Economic Development Director information

See Charleston, SC salary details

$45.4K

$116K

$189K

How much do economic development director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for economic development director in Charleston, SC is $115,979.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,800.00 and $143,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 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 most commonly searched types of Economic Development jobs in Charleston, SC?

The most popular types of Economic Development jobs in Charleston, SC are:

What are popular job titles related to Economic Development Director jobs in Charleston, SC?

For Economic Development Director jobs in Charleston, SC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Charleston, SC are hiring for Economic Development Director jobs?

Cities near Charleston, SC with the most Economic Development Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Economic Development Director job openings in Charleston, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,979 per year, or $55.8 per hour.

Business Development Director - Hyperscaler Clients - Americas Region

Arcadis

Charleston, SC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Arcadis rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

80th of 451 rated engineering


Job description

Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are more than 34,000 people, in over 30 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play.

With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world's most complex challenges and deliver more impact together. Role description: As Business Development Director / Account Leader for Hyperscaler Clients, you will manage client experience and satisfaction, deliver client growth within the existing portfolio of work, and achieve portfolio margin targets across Software & Internet. You'll build long-term relationships and drive account growth with Software & Internet key clients, driving maximum retention and expansion.

We deliver Design, Construction & Engineering Services to our clients. Asset/project types that we deliver within Software & Internet include data centers, offices, logistics facilities/warehouses, transportation maintenance facilities, studios, labs, and more. Role accountabilities: Drive organic growth within the Software & Internet client portfolio through active oversight of portfolio performance and commercial levers.

Increase share of wallet through existing service offerings for Software & Internet clients. Be responsible for the Software & Internet client and portfolio workload forecast. Determine pursuit teams and provide pursuit approvals.

Maintain accurate and timely pipeline hygiene. Build and maintain strong client relationships, including ownership of client experience, satisfaction, retention, and resolution of client escalations. Facilitate regular business reviews with Software & Internet clients.

Ensure client and portfolio margins are aligned to targets. Pursue new commercial models with Software & Internet clients. Manage client frameworks and Master Services Agreements to understand opportunities for rate card improvement.

Support Services through identification of emerging client needs and opportunities for new or enhanced Service offerings. Lead the Software & Internet client account team with health, safety and wellbeing at the forefront. Actively mentor and guide members of the account team in client relationship building.

Foster an inclusive working environment within the account team. Qualifications & Experience: Demonstrated experience in account management, client management or project leadership within the AEC or related professional services industry. Proven ability to grow client relationships over time, increasing share of wallet through cross selling, upselling and diversification of Services within existing accounts.

Strong commercial and financial acumen, including understanding of pricing, cost of sales, client NOI and margin, and using these to inform account decisions and actions. Experience with workload and revenue forecasting, and collaborating with delivery and Services teams to align resources to pipeline and portfolio needs. Track record of managing client escalations and issues, balancing client needs with commercial and delivery constraints to achieve sustainable solutions.

Strong relationship building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with client stakeholders and internal teams. Experience leading or coordinating multi-disciplinary, non-hierarchical teams, fostering collaboration and inclusive ways of working to achieve client goals. Excellent communication, presentation and facilitation skills, including experience running client reviews and internal portfolio discussions.

Leadership style that empowers Arcadians, promotes accountability and continuous improvement, and supports a healthy, inclusive and high engagement culture aligned to the Arcadis Leadership profile of being curious, driving success and igniting passion. Degree level education in a relevant field such as business, economics or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Why Arcadis.

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It's why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.

You'll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you'll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you. Together, we can create a lasting legacy.

Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy. Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day.

Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We are an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

US: Arcadis offers benefits for full time and part time positions. These benefits include medical, dental, and vision, EAP, 401K, STD, LTD, AD&D, life insurance, paid parental leave, reward & recognition program and optional benefits including wellbeing benefits, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement. We offer nine paid holidays and 15 days PTO that accrue per year.

The salary range for this position is $186,000 - $213,900 USD. Actual salaries will vary and are based on several factors, such as experience, education, budget, internal equity, project and location. CAN: The salary range for this position is $159,280 - $ 238,920 CAD.

The base salary represents Arcadis' hiring range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and will be based on various factors, such as location, skills, experience, and qualification for the role. #LI-CB1.


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About Arcadis

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Our work with clients has a direct impact on people's lives and on the planet. We make moving, living and belonging in cities safer, more resilient and more sustainable. By partnering with our clients as responsible custodians of our earth's resources, we can create a sustainable planet. We continue to think of new ways to make positive impacts and create better experiences for people; data driven and digital solutions have become part of the Arcadis DNA. Working together with clients and using techniques like design thinking, we can get to the heart of our clients' most pressing challenges and work together to solve them.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Highlands Ranch, CO, US