Senior Director, Economic Development

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Senior Director of Economic Development is a senior leadership role responsible for advancing the Chamber's strategic business growth agenda, with a primary focus on business recruitment, expansion, retention, and project execution.

This position serves as a key driver of the region's economic development outcomes by leading target industry engagement, managing complex business attraction and expansion projects, overseeing Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) efforts, and coordinating closely with public, private, and nonprofit partners across the region.

The Senior Director works in close partnership with the Senior Vice President for Economic Development and serves as a senior representative of the Chamber to businesses, site selectors, elected officials, and regional partners.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Economic Development Strategy & Execution

2. Develop, implement, and continuously refine strategies to attract, retain, and grow businesses aligned with the Greater Omaha region's target industries.

3. Translate regional economic development priorities into actionable plans, pipelines, and measurable outcomes.

4. Support broader Chamber initiatives related to talent, placemaking, and regional competitiveness.

5. Business Recruitment & Investment Attraction

6. Lead proactive business recruitment and investment attraction efforts to secure new business locations, capital investment, and job creation aligned with the Greater Omaha region's target industries.

7. Develop and execute targeted outreach, marketing, and lead-generation strategies to position Greater Omaha as a competitive, business-friendly region for growth and expansion. Cultivate and manage relationships with site selectors, corporate decision-makers, developers, and industry leaders to build and sustain a robust pipeline of prospective projects.
8. Collaborate closely with internal marketing and communications teams to align messaging, materials, and campaigns with economic development priorities.

9. Represent the Chamber at industry events, trade shows, recruitment missions, and other external forums to advance business development objectives.

10. Business Retention & Expansion (BRE)

11. Oversee and advance the Chamber's Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) strategy, ensuring existing employers are supported, engaged, and positioned for growth.

12. Work closely with regional partners to identify expansion opportunities, address business challenges, and mitigate risks to existing employers.

13. Proposal Development & Project Execution

14. Lead the development of competitive proposals and responses for prospective economic development projects, clearly articulating the Greater Omaha region's value proposition, workforce strengths, and site readiness.

15. Manage economic development projects from initial inquiry through site selection, announcement, and post-location support, ensuring a seamless and professional experience for prospective businesses.
16. Coordinate with state, local, utility, and regional partners to structure incentive strategies, site solutions, infrastructure plans, and workforce approaches aligned with project needs.
17. Serve as a strategic partner to companies navigating site development, investment decisions, partnerships, workforce recruitment, and community engagement.

18. Ensure projects are executed efficiently, responsibly, and in alignment with regional priorities and community values.

19. Reporting, Data & Performance Management

20. Track, evaluate, and report on economic development activities, outcomes, and performance metrics.

21. Provide regular updates, insights, and recommendations to Chamber executive leadership.

22. Use data and analysis to inform strategy, improve effectiveness, and demonstrate impact.

23. Economic Development Team and Partnership Leadership

24. Provide strategic leadership for the Chamber's economic development initiatives by aligning internal teams, regional partners, and external stakeholders around shared priorities and outcomes.

25. Directly supervise staff responsible for business attraction and expansion
26. Serve as the coordinator of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attend/work a variety of Chamber events and represent the organization as needed at business and community programs/events.

• Maintain ongoing relationships with member companies as potential vendors.

• Represent the Chamber with professionalism and integrity.

• Actively participate in Chamber staff activities and training to support a culture of inclusion and belonging. Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for supervising economic development team members and interns (when available).

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:

All expenditures require approval of Senior VP, Economic Development

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed should be representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and related work experience

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, management, finance, marketing, marketing, political science, or other related field required.

• Minimum five years proven experience in economic development, community development or planning, or transferable skills required.

• Experience supervising staff and managing a budget preferred.

Certifications, Licenses, Designations

Valid Driver's License

Other Skills and Qualifications

• Proficient in use of Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and PowerPoint.

• Experience with project management and CRM tools.

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple projects with short deadlines.

• Excellent attention to detail.

• Demonstrated strong leadership and communication skills (written and oral).

• Team environment player.

• Strong marketing and negotiation skills.

• Must be able to drive and/or provide own transportation

Physical Demand

• Office environment. Frequent walking, standing and sitting.

• Ability to lift, pull or push up to 15lbs.

• Ability to drive and provide own transportation.