Economic Development Project Manager

About the role

The City of Centerton is seeking an Executive Fellow to help build a data-driven community and economic development strategy that aligns market intelligence, planning priorities, and community engagement to proactively attract and retain desired businesses.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive listening tour with key stakeholders to surface insights into current development patterns, community priorities, and challenges related to commercial recruitment and decision-making.
• Conduct a landscape analysis to review existing plans, zoning, and land use policies, development proposals, and relevant demographic and market data.
• Research best practices from comparable fast-growing communities that have successfully strengthened downtowns and diversified local economies.
• Develop and propose refined project goals, priorities, and anticipated Year One deliverables for review and approval by City leadership.
• Lead localized market and retail analyses to better understand unmet demand, target business types, and realistic commercial opportunities within Centerton.
• Work closely with City staff and partners to translate these insights into clear commercial positioning and recruitment strategies that align with the City’s downtown vision and planning framework.
• Support structured community and stakeholder engagement to incorporate resident perspectives, strengthen alignment among City departments, and coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses.
• Help develop practical tools and processes that support consistent, data-informed decision-making for city development.
• Pilot decision-support tools, improve how staff evaluate development proposals, and strengthen internal workflows for responding to business and developer inquiries.
• Support early implementation efforts that test approaches, build momentum, and inform longer-term strategies, while remaining flexible as priorities evolve based on ongoing learning.

Requirements

• Synthesizes complex information into clear and concise recommendations and action-oriented implementation plans.
• Develops and effectively implements both strategic and operational project management plans.
• Generates innovative, data-driven, and result-oriented solutions to complex challenges.
• Responds quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies, and other processes.
• Communicates effectively verbally and in writing and excels in active listening and conversing.
• Fosters collaboration across multiple constituencies to support more effective decision-making.
• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, both inside and outside of government, particularly community-based relationships.
• Embraces differing viewpoints and implements strategies to find common ground.
• Demonstrates confidence and professional diplomacy while effectively interacting with individuals at all levels of various organizations.

Qualifications

• At least 15 years of professional experience.
• Deep connections to the community being served.
• Experience leading projects that improve public services and accelerate systems change.

Skills

• Data-driven and results-oriented approach.
• Strong project management skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration abilities.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders.

Benefits

This fellowship provides an annual salary of $95,000, along with various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. Fellows can also access additional resources and support to enhance their public service experience.

Pay

$95,000 annually

Schedule

Full-time for one year, beginning October 26, 2026 and ending October 22, 2027.