Economic Development Manager Jobs in Oklahoma (NOW HIRING)

Tulsa Innovation Labs LLC (TIL) is a tech‑led economic development organization headquartered in Tulsa, OK pioneered by the George Kaiser Family Foundation. The organization is responsible for catalyzing Tulsa’s leadership in advanced industries such as energy tech, advanced air mobility, virtual health, and cyber. We believe that by building a world‑class tech hub in America’s heartland, we unlock opportunity for all.

The organization was founded in January 2020 and has already experienced significant momentum including its $38.2M Build Back Better Regional Challenge win and recent $51.7M Tech Hubs award from the US Department of Commerce. Now, TIL is emerging from startup‑phase and has established itself as a system hub and community leader, requiring additional emphasis on scaling‑up operations and organizational capacity.

The Director of Industry and Corporate Relationships will lead Tulsa Innovation Labs’ (TIL) efforts to engage national and international corporations in advancing Tulsa’s economic development priorities. This role is pivotal in forging high‑impact partnerships that enhance capital access, workforce development, and infrastructure initiatives. Rather than focusing on the quantity of relationships, success in this role hinges on the strategic value and outcomes of these partnerships.

The ideal candidate will have a strong grasp of industry dynamics, the ability to navigate corporate structures, and the strategic insight to translate business challenges into opportunities for TIL and the Tulsa region. This individual must be a trusted connector, convener, and influencer—aligning corporate partners with TIL’s mission while ensuring long‑term, mutually beneficial collaborations.

• Develop & Execute Engagement Strategy – Identify and prioritize corporate targets aligned with TIL’s strategic initiatives. Lead engagement of these companies regularly with a tailored partnership approach.
• Corporate Relationship Management – Build deep knowledge of each partner’s business model, leadership structure, priorities, and decision‑making processes to foster meaningful collaboration, documenting opportunities and sharing insights across the the TIL system.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration – Work closely with TIL’s executive leadership and initiatives teams to lead the integration of corporate partnerships into broader TIL efforts and economic development strategies.
• Partnership Development – Identify and cultivate opportunities for external funding, workforce development collaborations, and infrastructure investments that drive TIL’s mission forward.
• Strategic Influence – Engage senior executives at national and global corporations, navigating complex decision‑making environments to build alignment and unlock resources for Tulsa.
• Programming & Events Integration – Collaborate with TIL’s events and programming team to leverage conferences, networking events, and curated engagements that strengthen relationships with key corporate stakeholders.
• Thought Leadership & Market Intelligence – Stay ahead of industry trends, investment shifts, and corporate initiatives that could impact Tulsa’s economic landscape. Serve as an internal advisor on emerging business opportunities.
• Representation & Advocacy – Represent TIL at national industry conferences, executive roundtables, and key forums to position Tulsa as a premier partner for corporate innovation and expansion.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, economic development, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in economic development, corporate engagement, strategic partnerships, or business development.
• Proven ability to engage senior corporate leaders and drive long‑term partnerships.
• Strong understanding of corporate structures, decision‑making, and economic development dynamics.
• Experience working across cross‑functional teams to execute large‑scale initiatives.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills.

• Experience with capital attraction, workforce strategy, or innovation ecosystems.
• Familiarity with CRM and productivity tools (salesforce, asana)

• Strategic Connector – Ability to identify and link corporate priorities with TIL’s mission.
• Trusted Influencer – Comfortable engaging C‑suite executives and senior decision‑makers.
• Adaptive Problem‑Solver – Thrives in ambiguous, evolving environments and proactively drives solutions.
• Compelling Communicator – Strong ability to articulate complex ideas, craft compelling pitches, and foster engagement.
• Action‑Oriented & Intentional – Demonstrates urgency and proactive execution.
• Collaborative & Agile – Works effectively across teams, aligning resources to maximize impact.

• Communicate: Frequent phone, in‑person, and messaging communication via various platforms. Must be able to exchange information effectively and accurately in all elements of verbal and written communication.
• Operate: Constant operation of computer, phones, and other office productivity tools.
• Willingness and ability to travel between program and related stakeholder locations, and service provider/vendor offices as required.

• Position is based in Tulsa within TIL headquarters located at 3 North Cheyenne Ave.
• Typical work hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 to 5:00, with flexibility required for various events, meetings, and relevant business needs.

As part of our overall compensation package, we offer work/life flexibility, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and a generous retirement contributions designed to support you and your family.

• 100% employer paid medical, dental, and long‑term disability for full‑time employees only. Option to add vision and dependents.
• 401K employee and employer contributions.
• Paid time off to support you while you are out of the office.
• Paid holidays so our employees can spend time with those they care about.
• Employer paid AD&D life insurance, with employee options to add supplemental life insurance.