ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
About The Position
The Economic Development Specialist will function as a Program Manager for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development division. The Program Manager is responsible for driving initiatives and managing programs that promote small business growth and entrepreneurial innovation throughout Arkansas. This position is integral to fostering relationships with key stakeholders and ensuring the alignment of division activities with broader strategic goals. This role will also provide critical support in invoicing and budget management across the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development programs, including tracking expenditures, processing invoices, and ensuring accuracy and compliance with program and state requirements. This role requires excellent organizational skills, written and verbal communication skills to reach a wide range of audiences, including business partners, peers inside and outside of the agency, company representatives, employees, C-Suite management, and other stakeholders. The successful applicant has a strong attention to detail, good math skills, is a team player willing to ask and answer questions while taking on multiple roles. This position requires on-site employment with no remote or hybrid options available. This role requires a proactive, organized, and collaborative individual with a strong commitment to fostering economic growth and innovation in Arkansas. The Program Manager will contribute significantly to shaping an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports and empowers businesses across the state. The Economic Development Specialist supports the planning, research, administration, and coordination of initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth and community revitalization. This role is ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals looking to gain practical experience in economic policy, community planning, and project management. The specialist works closely with experienced economic development teams in an attempt to collect data, manage projects, and facilitate communications with a variety of assorted personnel.
Requirements
- Excellent organizational skills
- Written and verbal communication skills to reach a wide range of audiences, including business partners, peers inside and outside of the agency, company representatives, employees, C-Suite management, and other stakeholders.
- Strong attention to detail
- Good math skills
- Team player willing to ask and answer questions while taking on multiple roles.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively support team interactions.
- Basic proficiency in data management and the ability to assist in interpreting economic data for research and reporting purposes.
- Comfortable using standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite or Google Workspace) and willing to learn new digital tools for data analysis and project management.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Community Development, Economics, or a related field.
Responsibilities
- Support the administration of programs under the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Division.
- Act as a liaison between AEDC and stakeholders, including Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs), small business owners, resource providers, and state partners, to strengthen collaboration and program impact.
- Provide support for invoicing and budget management across Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development programs, including tracking expenditures, processing invoices, and ensuring accuracy and compliance with program and state requirements.
- Develop and maintain databases to track program performance, stakeholder engagement, and project milestones for effective program management.
- Support outreach efforts to promote state programs, with an emphasis on engaging underserved communities.
- Prepare reports, materials for board meetings, and other documentation to facilitate informed decision-making by leadership and partners.
- Coordinate cross-initiative support across the division and agency to ensure cohesive efforts in supporting small businesses and startups statewide.
- Undertake additional duties as assigned to enhance the division's capacity to achieve its objectives.
- Maintain calendars, schedule appointments, and organize meeting logistics for the economic development team.
- Prepare and manage documentation including meeting minutes, reports, and databases.
- Assist in gathering economic data, conducting market analyses, and compiling research for feasibility studies and development projects.
- Support the creation of data-driven reports to inform program recommendations and strategies.
- Provide support in coordinating events such as community forums and local economic development workshops.
- Help monitor project timelines, deliverables, and budget tracking to ensure smooth implementation of initiatives.
- Serve as a contact point for local business groups, community organizations, and government agencies, facilitating communications and outreach efforts.
- Assist in drafting presentations and promotional materials for public events and funding proposals.
- Support the preparation of grant applications, funding proposals, and related project documentation.
- Assist in tracking funding opportunities and maintaining records of submissions and outcomes.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
