Economic Development Program Manager

Company Overview

Greater Iowa City, Inc. (Greater IC) is a dynamic network of business and public sector leaders who collaborate to support local companies, guide investment, and grow a resilient economy. Work covers the cities, towns, and rural areas in the greater Iowa City area – or Johnson County, Iowa. As a dynamic and forward‑thinking organization, Greater IC is dedicated to fostering economic growth, community development, and workforce enhancement in the Greater Iowa City area.

The organization is committed to building a prosperous and inclusive community where businesses thrive, talent flourishes, and innovation thrives.

The Economic Development Program Manager will play a pivotal role in driving forward the mission to enhance economic vitality and overall well‑being of the community. This individual will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a diverse range of programs and initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth, fostering community engagement, and addressing social challenges.

1.
Program / Initiative Development
:
Lead the conceptualization, design, and implementation of economic development programs / initiatives aligned with organizational goals and community needs. This includes:

• Conducting thorough needs assessments and stakeholder consultations to identify priority areas for intervention in conjunction with Greater IC leadership.
• Developing comprehensive program plans, including goals, objectives, activities, and timelines.
• Collaborating with internal and external partners to leverage resources and expertise in program design and implementation.
• Ensuring that programs are inclusive, culturally responsive, and tailored to the unique needs and assets of the community.
• Continuously evaluating and adapting programs based on feedback, data analysis, and changing community dynamics.

2.
Stakeholder Engagement
:
Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including business leaders, non-profit organizations, local government officials and the State of Iowa Economic Development Authority to foster collaboration and support for programs / initiatives.

3.
Project Management
:
Oversee all aspects of program implementation, including budget management, timeline adherence, resource allocation, and performance monitoring.

4.
Data Analysis and Reporting
:
Work with Greater IC staff to measure the impact of programs and initiatives. Utilize LOIS (Location One Information System) lease accounting software and the real estate platform Resimplifi related to supporting project leads. Assist Greater IC staff to prepare clear and compelling reports for internal and external stakeholders.

5.
Policy Advocacy
:
Provide data and impact reports as requested for Advocacy leadership to assist in their efforts to advocate for our programs. Monitor local, state, and federal policies related to economic development and community well‑being, and advocate for policy changes that support our mission and objectives.

6.
Outreach and Education
:
Develop and implement outreach strategies to engage diverse community members in program activities, workshops, and events aimed at promoting economic and community development initiatives and programs.

7.
Team Leadership
:
Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to teammates, program partners and volunteers, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Business Retention/Expansion Program
:
Lead the business retention program for Greater IC. Currently, the program relies on building relationships with local employers to fill out a Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Survey so that local needs are understood and that we are using this information to build supporting initiatives to retain and grow companies. The BRE survey data is also conveyed to the State of Iowa Economic Development Authority to be used to inform state‑wide initiatives, policies and programs.

Economic Development Support (Attraction):
Receive and coordinate requests for proposals from site selectors and/or companies interested in locating in Johnson County by being a point of contact with local…