Economic Development Manager Jobs in Missouri (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:

The Director of Business Development is responsible for leading the execution of the company's market expansion strategy by directing the evaluation, planning, and advancement of new market opportunities from initial identification through construction readiness. This role oversees market research, financial analysis, project development activities, and cross-functional coordination to maintain a robust pipeline of qualified growth opportunities that support the organization's strategic and long-term development objectives.

As the operational leader of the Business Development function, the Director partners closely with Engineering, Construction, Finance, Government Affairs, Operations, and other key stakeholders to develop business cases, assess project viability, and drive timely approvals for market entry and expansion initiatives. The role ensures alignment between corporate growth priorities and project execution while supporting the successful delivery of the company's development pipeline.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop team members by providing ongoing feedback, performance management, mentoring, and growth opportunities.
• Establish clear goals, priorities, and performance expectations aligned with departmental and organizational objectives.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement that supports employee engagement and business results.
• Partner in workforce planning activities, including talent acquisition, succession planning, and capability development to ensure organizational readiness for future growth.
• Model company values and leadership behaviors while effectively leading through change, promoting cross-functional collaboration, and driving results.

Strategic Planning & Market Expansion

• Lead the development and execution of the company's multi-year market expansion strategy, establishing growth priorities, market selection criteria, and investment frameworks aligned with corporate objectives.
• Accountable for achieving market expansion objectives, including homes passed, subscriber growth, revenue generation, market penetration, and return-on-investment targets.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize new market opportunities through demographic analysis, competitive assessments, infrastructure reviews, and financial modeling.
• Direct the collection and analysis of market intelligence, including customer demand, competitor activity, broadband availability, regulatory requirements, and industry trends.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership regarding market opportunities, emerging trends, competitive threats, and growth investments.

Business Case Development & Capital Planning

• Own the market expansion portfolio and recommend capital deployment strategies that maximize long-term growth, profitability, and enterprise value.
• Partner with Finance to develop comprehensive business cases, including capital investment requirements, operating expenses, revenue forecasts, ROI analyses, and financial sensitivity models.
• Present market recommendations, investment analyses, and portfolio performance updates to executive leadership and, when appropriate, the Board of Directors.
• Establish performance metrics and reporting mechanisms to monitor pipeline health, project outcomes, and strategic growth initiatives.

Market Development & Stakeholder Engagement

• Establish and maintain relationships with municipalities, economic development organizations, utility partners, consultants, and strategic business partners to support market expansion initiatives.
• Partner with Government Affairs and community stakeholders to support municipal engagement efforts, franchise discussions, and public-private partnership opportunities.
• Travel to prospective and active markets to validate assumptions, assess feasibility, cultivate relationships, and support project advancement.

Cross-Functional Project Leadership

• Lead cross-functional teams responsible for the evaluation and development of market expansion opportunities.
• Partner with Engineering and Construction teams to assess network architecture, connectivity requirements, construction feasibility, capital costs, and deployment timelines.
• Establish project schedules, milestones, governance processes, and accountability measures to ensure initiatives progress efficiently from concept to construction readiness.
• Facilitate regular project reviews to evaluate progress, address risks, resolve issues, and prioritize resources across competing opportunities.
• Ensure alignment among business units to support successful project planning, approval, and execution.

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Develop and maintain standardized processes, reporting tools, and documentation supporting business development activities.
• Continuously improve market evaluation methodologies, project development processes, reporting capabilities, and decision-making frameworks.
• Promote a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and data-driven decision-making throughout the Business Development function.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Urban Planning, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or a related field, preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience will be considered.
• Master's degree (MBA or related discipline) a plus and preferred.

Experience

• 10+ of progressive experience in business development, strategic planning, market analysis, telecommunications, utilities, infrastructure, or related industries.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience overseeing business development, market expansion, strategic planning, or cross-functional project teams.
• Experience evaluating and prioritizing multi-million-dollar capital investment opportunities and developing executive-level business cases.
• Telecommunications, broadband, or fiber infrastructure experience strongly preferred.
• Previous people leadership experience, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and talent development, preferred.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of strategic planning, business development, and market expansion principles.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting financial models and evaluating investment opportunities.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and build collaborative working relationships.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Advanced problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience using business intelligence, GIS, CRM, and project management software is preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Ability to travel regularly to prospective and active markets.
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer.
• Occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.

Equal Opportunity:

i3 Broadband is an equal-opportunity workplace that respects the diversity of our customer base and our team. We will treat customers, employees, and applicants fairly without regard for gender, race, age, or any other characteristics protected by law. Our employment decisions are made on the basis of qualification, merit, and business need.