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Economic Development Director Jobs in Philadelphia, PA

STV

Director of Real Estate Economics

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

$179K - $205K/yr

STV is actively seeking a highly experienced Lead/Director Real Estate Economist to join our ... Lead complex real estate and economic development projects, including market analysis, highest and ...

Pfizer

Director, Contract Development

Collegeville, PA · On-site

... economic modeling activities. Your expertise and innovative approach will enhance the value of our ... The Director, Contract Development partners closely with the Director, Contract Strategy to ...

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All JobsEconomic Development JobsEconomic Development Director JobsEconomic Development Director Jobs in Philadelphia, PA

Economic Development Director information

See Philadelphia, PA salary details

$48.9K

$125.1K

$203.8K

How much do economic development director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for economic development director in Philadelphia, PA is $125,060.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,300.00 and $154,900.00 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.

More about Economic Development Director jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Economic Development jobs in Philadelphia, PA?

The most popular types of Economic Development jobs in Philadelphia, PA are:

What are popular job titles related to Economic Development Director jobs in Philadelphia, PA?

For Economic Development Director jobs in Philadelphia, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Economic Development Director jobs in Philadelphia, PA look for?

The top searched job categories for Economic Development Director jobs in Philadelphia, PA are:

What cities near Philadelphia, PA are hiring for Economic Development Director jobs?

Cities near Philadelphia, PA with the most Economic Development Director job openings:

Economic Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Economic Development Director job openings in Philadelphia, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,060 per year, or $60.1 per hour.

Sales - Business Development Director - Philadelphia

BI Worldwide

Bala Cynwyd, PA • On-site

$140K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Do you live in the Philadelphiaarea? Are you competitive, confident in your ability to sell, assertive, and dependable? Are you curious, have strong business acumen and have a passion for understanding how businesses work? Can you provoke constructive conversation with your customers? Do you work well in a dynamic team environment?

We are BI WORLDWIDE. Inspiring people. Delivering results.

We're the global leader in solutions that drive measurable results for our clients around the world by inspiring the people who impact their success. We help translate their strategic imperatives into actionable solutions that utilize the principles of behavioral economics to engage, motivate and inspire their employees, sales force, channel partners, and customers delivering measurable results on a local, national, and global level.

We are seeking candidates located in the Philadelphia area to join our Philadelphia based sales team.

The Business Development Director is an individual contributor and is responsible for identifying potential business opportunities, developing relationships and understanding the customer's critical business strategies with accounts located in the Philadelphia market then working with a team of subject matter experts to create and execute a solution to help achieve the customer's business objectives.

Qualifications:

* Must be currently located in the Philadelphia area.

* Minimum seven years of direct B2B sales experience calling on Fortune 1000 companies

* Clear history of new business development selling marketing solutions, or professional business services

* Demonstrable sales success through prospecting and growing revenue in large accounts

* Large volume sales experience ($250k plus per sale)

* Experience with broad range of sales cycles (three to six to twelve months)

* History of career stability with a maximum of three employers in the last ten years

* Compensation derived through highly leveraged commissions and bonuses

* Four year college degree is preferred

* Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products is required; Proficiency with web, SaaS, and mobile applications a plus

Compensation Opportunity:

Your compensation is uncapped and is based on your performance. We offer a base salary of $140,000, plus a commission tied to your revenue productivity, as well as a fiscal year-end bonus calculated based on your revenue productivity and the profitability of that revenue. For your first two years, we also offer an opportunity to earn bonuses for achieving key performance indicators tied to sales activities.

Additional Benefits:

Business Development Directors are automatically eligible for a full suite of performance management reward programs, including an annual President's Club travel award. Other benefits include car allowance, company laptop, mobile device reimbursement and full expense account for client entertainment.

Full List of Benefits:

https://www.biworldwide.com/careers/benefits-page/

Apply