Economic Development Manager

Salary : $80,876.00 - $88,963.00 Annually
Location : Nashville, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Economic Development
Opening Date: 09/18/2026
Closing Date: 10/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

General Statement of Duties
Full Salary Range- $80,876.00 - $130,241.00 Annually
Anticipated Hiring Range - $80,876.00-$88,963.60 Annually

The Economic Development Manager supports the Director of Economic Development in driving business growth and vitality across Nash County, North Carolina. This position focuses on business recruitment (industrial, commercial, and retail), retention and expansion of existing industries, and coordination of marketing and promotional activities.

An employee in this class works closely with local, state, and other governmental officials, community leaders, and business representatives to promote economic growth in the County. The role requires extensive public contact, demanding tact, courtesy, strong public relations skills, and effective marketing approaches. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Economic Development Director and is evaluated through conferences, reports, progress on recruited businesses, and effectiveness in supporting retention and expansion of existing industries.

Essential Duties and Tasks

• • Supports the Economic Development Director in implementing the County's economic development strategy, priorities, programs, and annual work plan.
  • Coordinates commercial and retail development activities, including identifying opportunities, working with property owners and developers, conducting site visits, facilitating introductions, and coordinating with local officials and partner agencies.
  • Supports industrial recruitment and expansion efforts, including prospect responses, site tours, property research, data preparation, and coordination with businesses and project partners.
  • Serves as a primary liaison to existing businesses and industries through the County's Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) program; conducts business visits, identifies issues and opportunities, and coordinates appropriate resources and follow-up.
  • Manages assigned economic development projects, grants, incentives, agreements, and community initiatives from planning through completion, including coordinating schedules, partners, budgets, reporting, and deliverables.
  • Coordinates the preparation of grant applications, project proposals, requests for information, business responses, and other materials supporting economic development activities.
  • Leads department marketing and communications, including development of marketing strategies, promotional materials, website content, social media, digital campaigns, and real estate and business development marketing.
  • Conducts and coordinates research related to demographics, labor force, workforce, real estate, industry trends, and other economic development data; prepares reports, presentations, maps, and customized information for business prospects and community partners.
  • Plans and coordinates economic development events, meetings, tours, presentations, and community initiatives.
  • Maintains effective working relationships with businesses, developers, property owners, elected officials, government agencies, community organizations, and economic development partners.
  • Represents the department on committees, boards, and regional or statewide organizations as assigned by the Director.
  • Assists with department budget development, goal setting, strategic planning, and program evaluation.
  • Assists in ensuring compliance with applicable County policies, State and federal requirements, agreements, and procedures related to economic development programs.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

• • Knowledge of the County's marketable assets, taxation policies, land use policies, local incentives, environmental regulations, and related permitting processes.
  • Thorough knowledge of theories and practices in business development fields, including economics, demographics, planning, finance, fundraising, marketing, real estate, and grant administration.
  • Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, county and town ordinances, and county department policies and procedures.
  • Knowledge of the functional interrelationships among the County and other governmental agencies.
  • Knowledge of computer operating systems, internet research, and skill in gathering data from various research databases.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in oral, written, and presentation formats.
  • Ability to analyze data and situations accurately, provide sound recommendations, and deliver precise information for industrial and business projects.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with business owners, executives, public officials (local, state, and federal), contractors, community leaders, organizations, department heads, superiors, and employees.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

Desirable Education and Experience

Desirable Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, Urban Studies/Regional Planning, Finance, Marketing, or a closely related field directly applicable to economic development.

Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development at the local, state, or regional level in the public, quasi-public, or private sector. An equivalent combination of education and direct experience may substitute for the stated minimum requirements.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license.
• NCCED (North Carolina Certified Economic Developer) certification or ability to obtain within a reasonable timeframe is preferred.

INSURANCE PROGRAMS
Nash County offers cafeteria-style benefits including:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Supplemental Health Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurances)
- Disability Insurance (Long-Term and Short-Term Disability)
and more!
FINANCIAL PROGRAMS
Retirement

Membership in the North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement System is a requirement for all regular full-time and regular part-time employees. Employees contribute 6% of their annual compensation before it is taxed. If you leave County service before retirement, you may withdraw your retirement contributions or elect to freeze your contributions in anticipation of future local government employment. If you have 5 years of service, you are 100% vested in the NCLGERS.

NC401(k)

The NC401(k) supplemental retirement program is available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees. The County establishes this 401(k) account for each eligible employee and makes a 5% contribution based on monthly earnings. Employees may elect to make voluntary contributions through payroll deduction.

457 Deferred Compensation

The 457 Deferred Compensation program is available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees through payroll deduction. Deferred compensation is a voluntary investment plan to supplement retirement income and to defer taxable income.

Special Separation Allowance

The Separation Allowance is available to law enforcement officers between the ages of 55 and 62 years that are eligible and retire under the provisions of the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System.

125 Flexible Benefit Plan

Flexible Spending Account options are available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees who wish to use pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and daycare expenses. The Flex Convenience Card program gives you instant access to your account funds.

• Health Care Spending Account -- Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible health care expenses.
• Dependent Care Spending Account -- Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible dependent care expenses.

Direct Deposit

Direct Deposit is a condition of employment for all employees. Deposit of your paycheck will be made to checking or savings accounts in a bank of your choice.
LEAVE PROGRAMS
Vacation Leave

For regular full-time County employees, vacation leave accrues based on length of service in the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System. Regular part-time employees accrue prorated vacation leave based on a percentage of the full-time benefit.

Sick Leave

For regular full-time County employees, sick leave accrues each pay-cycle. Regular part-time employees accrue prorated sick leave based on a percentage of the full-time benefit. Your unused sick leave balance can be applied as creditable service toward a service retirement under the guidelines of the NCLGERS.

Holidays

The policy of the County is to follow the holiday schedule as published by the State of North Carolina each year.
The following holidays are observed:

• New Year's Day,
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and the day after, and
• Three (3) days at Christmas.

Military Leave

Annual Training - Reserves and National Guard -Ten paid workdays per fiscal year.
Active Duty - Reserves and National Guard - Ten paid workdays upon activation.

Civil Leave

Paid leave is provided to full-time or regular part-time County employees called for jury duty or as a witness of the court for the federal or state government, or a subdivision thereof.

Family Medical Leave Act

Federal law provides job protection and continuation of existing paid health insurance during 12 weeks of leave, paid or unpaid, to an eligible employee for qualifying events. These events can include birth or adoption, and serious illness of an immediate family member, or of the employee.
OTHER PROGRAMS
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Employee Assistance Program is open to all employees and their dependents. It is a confidential service provided at no cost to the employees of the County. EAP provides certified counselors who administer assessment and brief therapy to employees who want help with a variety of personal and work-related issues such as stress, parenting concerns, grief, alcohol/drug use, family problems, financial concerns, and work-related problems.

Wellness Center and Telemedicine

We believe that staying healthy is inclusive of exercising regularly and taking care of your physical body. Nash County has a Wellness Center, which consists of various exercise equipment and videos, open to all full and part-time employees.

All full-time employees also have access to telemedicine through Teladoc. Teladoc treats conditions like allergies, sore throats, asthma, and more. Doctors are available by phone or video 24/7 from wherever you are. They are available to diagnose symptoms and send a prescription if needed.