Economic Development Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Description Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity Mission: To connect, value, and empower people, businesses, and communities. Vision: An inclusive, accessible, prosperous, and resilient Harris County. What you will do at the Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity: The Economic Development Director serves as the senior leader responsible for implementing, managing, and advancing Harris County Economic Development initiatives.

This position drives business attraction, retention, and expansion by deploying the full suite of tax incentive and financing tools available under local, state, and federal law. The Director collaborates with elected officials, the business community, site selectors, developers, regional partners, and state agencies to expand the tax base, create quality jobs, and strengthen the jurisdiction's economic competitiveness. Leadership Scope: The Director is the primary accountable executive for Economic Development and Strategy, including: Translating plan goals and benchmarks into annual work programs with measurable outcomes Aligning departmental budget requests and staffing with strategic priorities Reporting plan progress quarterly to elected officials and the public Coordinating cross-departmental initiatives (planning, public works, finance, legal) required for plan success Duties and Responsibilities: Business Development & Attraction Lead proactive marketing and recruitment efforts targeting priority industry sectors identified in the strategic plan Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective businesses, site selectors, and real estate brokers Manage prospect relationships throughout the full pipeline, from initial inquiry to operational launch Negotiate letters of intent, development agreements, and incentive packages on behalf of the jurisdiction Tax Incentive Program Administration The Director must possess deep, applied knowledge of all available tax tools and strategically lead their deployment: Tax Abatement Policy: Design, negotiate, and administer real and personal property tax abatement agreements; establish performance standards (job creation, wage thresholds, capital investment); monitor compliance and enforce clawback provisions Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ): Administer or pursue FTZ grantee/operator status; advise manufacturers and distributors on duty deferral, reduction, and weekly entry procedures; coordinate with U.S

Customs and Border Protection Hotel/Motel & Hospitality Taxes (HOT): Advise on allowable uses of HOT revenues for tourism and economic development; partner with CVBs and the hospitality industry on eligible project funding Tax Increment Financing (TIF): Identify, designate, and manage TIF districts; prepare project and financing plans; coordinate bond issuance and fund administration with the finance department New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC): Partner with CDFIs and investors to channel NMTC allocations into qualifying low-income community investments Opportunity Zones: Market designated Opportunity Zones to investors; connect developers with Qualified Opportunity Funds; track qualifying investment activity Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) / Revenue Bonds: Structure and administer IRBs and other conduit financing for qualifying manufacturing and industrial projects Sales Tax Incentives: Administer local option sales tax rebate programs and Chapter 380/381 (or equivalent) economic development agreements PILOT Agreements: Negotiate Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes arrangements with nonprofit or public institutions as economic development tools Federal & State Grants: Identify and pursue EDA, CDBG-ED, USDA, and state economic development grant opportunities aligned with plan priorities Retention & Expansion (BRE) Execute a structured Business Retention and Expansion program with regular outreach to existing employers Identify businesses at risk of relocation or contraction and develop retention strategies Facilitate expansion projects for existing businesses, including incentive structuring and site/facility assistance Workforce & Talent Pipeline Partner with workforce boards, community colleges, and K-12 systems to align training programs with employer needs Integrate workforce development objectives into incentive agreements where appropriate Stakeholder & Community Engagement Build and maintain relationships with chambers of commerce, industry associations, utilities, and regional economic development organizations Present before elected bodies, planning commissions, and community groups on economic development matters Represent the jurisdiction at state, regional, and national economic development conferences and events Administration & Compliance Supervise economic development professional staff; conduct performance evaluations and foster professional development Prepare and manage the department budget; ensure fiscal accountability for all incentive programs Maintain a comprehensive incentive tracking and compliance database; submit required state and federal reports Ensure all programs operate within applicable legal and ethical frameworks; work with legal counsel on agreements. Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net. This position is subject to a criminal history check

Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate. Requirements Education: Bachelor's Degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Urban Planning, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field Experience: Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, with at least three (3) years in a supervisory or management role Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering tax abatement agreements, TIF districts, or equivalent incentive programs Experience with multiple state and federal financing and incentive tools (IRBs, NMTCs, Opportunity Zones, EDA grants, CDBG-ED, or equivalents) Proven track record of successfully recruiting businesses, closing deals, and managing incentive compliance Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Working knowledge of Foreign Trade Zone administration and federal trade zone regulations Familiarity with hotel/motel tax (HOT) statutes, allowable uses, and tourism-related economic development applications Comprehensive knowledge of local, state, and federal economic development statutes, regulations, and incentive programs Expert-level understanding of property tax abatement policy design, performance benchmarking, and claw back mechanisms Strong financial analysis skills, including ROI modeling for incentive packages and cost-benefit analysis Ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders, including elected officials, business leaders, and community members Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to present complex financial and policy information to lay audiences Proficiency in economic development CRM platforms and GIS-based site selection tools Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously High ethical standards and commitment to transparency in the administration of public incentive programs NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration.

"See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications. Preferences Education: Master's Degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Urban Planning, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field Graduate-level coursework or certification in public finance, tax law, or community development finance Experience: Experience administering a municipal or county Foreign Trade Zone subzone or grantee program Certifications and Designations: Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Site Selector Guild membership or demonstrable relationships with national site selection community General Information Position Type and Scheduled Hours: This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m

to 5:00 p.m. Hours may vary based on the business needs of the department. Work Environment and Physical Demands: Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with frequent travel to business sites, community events, and state/national conferences

Evening and weekend work may be required for public meetings and industry events. The position is expected to maintain availability for time-sensitive business prospect needs. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.

Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. Typical office work with limited physical demands. Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.