Economic Development Jobs in Baton Rouge, LA (NOW HIRING)

The Economic Competitiveness Team leads LED’s efforts to position Louisiana to win and ensure sustainable economic growth for generations to come. The team analyzes economic trends, evaluates public policy, and works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to foster an environment conducive to innovation, investment, and job creation.

The Economic Competitiveness Team’s work includes:

• Benchmarking and researching best-in-class economic development tax, and fiscal policies across the United States and internationally;

• Evaluating Louisiana’s tax and business climate to identify opportunities to strengthen the state’s economic competitiveness and support strategic industries;

• Conducting economic and fiscal research to inform executive leadership, policymakers, and stakeholders; and

• Supporting the development and implementation of policy initiatives that advance Louisiana’s long-term economic competitiveness. 

Work Experience

 Position Overview

The Fiscal Policy & Research Specialist will support Louisiana’s efforts to strengthen its competitive position through data-driven fiscal policy research, economic analysis, and strategic recommendations. This position will analyze state and local tax systems, evaluate economic development incentives, benchmark Louisiana’s economic competitiveness position on a national scale, and assess the economic and fiscal impacts of proposed policy changes.

The position requires an individual who is intellectually curious, highly analytical, and capable of translating complex fiscal and economic concepts into clear, actionable recommendations for improving Louisiana’s economic competitiveness.

The ideal candidate will possess strong quantitative and research skills, an understanding of state and federal fiscal policy, and the ability to communicate technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. 

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, public administration, finance, accounting, business, political science, or a related field.

• 2-5 years of experience in tax policy, economic development, management consulting, government, or a related analytical field.

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including experience interpreting economic, fiscal, and demographic data.

• Experience conducting policy research and comparative analyses across states or jurisdictions.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement and work independently while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams.

• Knowledge of state tax policy, economic development incentives, public finance, or legislative processes is preferred.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other suite programs; experience with data visualization or statistical software is a plus.

Job Responsibilities

• Research and analyze Louisiana’s fiscal policies, including state and local tax structures, business climate, incentive programs, and regulatory environment, to benchmark the state’s economic competitiveness against peer and competitor states.

• Prepare research reports, briefing materials, and summaries to communicate findings.

• Collect, analyze, and interpret economic, tax, labor market, and demographic data from federal, state, and private sources.

• Collaborate with internal LED teams and, as requested, external stakeholders on research initiatives.

• Monitor emerging trends in taxation, economic development, fiscal policy, and state competitiveness.

• Support strategic initiatives related to tax reform, incentive modernization, economic competitiveness, and legislative priorities.

• Assist with special projects and perform other duties as assigned in support of the Economic Competitiveness Team. 

Louisiana Economic Development is transforming the state’s approach to economic development. With a mission to cultivate jobs and build meaningful economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana, LED is modernizing its organizational structure to operate at the speed of business, proactively and comprehensively supporting the state’s existing business ecosystem, and aggressively competing to attract new ones.

LED is excited to identify leaders who share this vision of success.