Project Manager, Business Development

Key Responsibilities

• Develop customized Louisiana Solutions that present a compelling case for companies considering expansion or relocation to Louisiana.
• Assess company needs, address concerns, and present business development solutions with speed, confidence, and professionalism.
• Prepare proposals, presentations, and other materials that align with LED’s current branding, messaging, and Louisiana value proposition.
• Lead economic development projects from initial prospect engagement through agreement execution, announcement, and implementation.
• Analyze project return on investment and develop competitive incentive packages that generate positive economic benefits for Louisiana.
• Ensure companies and partners understand incentive terms, agreement requirements, reporting obligations, and project expectations.
• Provide excellent client service and coordinate with LED teams, state agencies, educational institutions, and regional or local economic development partners.
• Maintain expertise in Louisiana’s sites, buildings, workforce, infrastructure, tax advantages, incentive programs, and other competitive assets.
• Maintain accurate and timely project records, communications, and status updates in LED’s CRM database.
• Monitor assigned incentive agreements and manage special project assignments.

Major Activities Include

• Develop Louisiana Solutions based on the company’s industry, business needs, and key project decision criteria.
• Identify appropriate sites and buildings and coordinate site visits, presentations, and supporting materials.
• Cook up communications with company representatives and LED project team members at critical stages of the project.
• Prepare accurate, well-structured proposals, reports, presentations, and project documents.
• Conduct return-on-investment analyses and develop incentive recommendations using state-to-state competitive analysis.
• Develop and execute negotiation strategies with company representatives.
• Aid LED Legal with Cooperative Endeavor Agreements and ensure negotiated incentive terms and conditions are accurately included.
• Cook up communications with LED divisions, state agencies, workforce partners, and economic development organizations to support project wins.
• Track project details and status in the CRM database and provide updates to LED leadership and project partners.
• Collect required project data, support companies after announcement, and monitor contractual reporting and progress requirements.
• Recruit internal and external assistance for project assignments and travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, Economics, Engineering or related degrees. Master’s degree in Business or related fields desirable, but not required.
• Experience: Experience in business development and/or economic development. Project management certification (e.g., PMP, CSM, ACP, CPM) is a plus.
• Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Communications skills including written reports and verbal presentations. Experience in sales and marketing. Real estate sales/development. Financial analysis. Management/leadership roles.
• Personal Attributes: Relationship building, excellent communication and negotiation skills, proactive problem-solving skills, adaptable, results/goal oriented, timely, detail oriented, willingness to travel.