Regional Economic Development Manager – GPC Metro South Region

Southern Company•Atlanta, GA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This position offers a unique opportunity to serve as a trusted advisor to communities across the Metro South Region, helping them prepare for and attract new economic development investment and grow existing industry. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker, strong relationship builder, and collaborative partner who thrives in a dynamic environment — and who is eager to grow and contribute to Georgia Power’s legacy of leadership in economic development. Please Read the Entire Job Description Carefully! Please attach a relevant resume . Please attach a cover letter detailing your interest in the role and why you want to join Georgia Power’s Regional Economic Development team — What unique experience and passion position you to be competitive for the role and specifically for the Metro South Region territory? POSITION COVERAGE AREA: Expected coverage areas: Butts, Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Southern Fulton, Henry, and Spalding counties. Home Office: This position will be based at the Georgia Power Economic Development offices at 75 5th St. in Atlanta. The new team member will be expected to live in or near the defined region or within the metro Atlanta area. Relocation assistance will be provided if the new team member qualifies. ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION At Georgia Power Economic Development, our mission is to grow the economy, build communities, and improve our state. Celebrating our 26th year as a top utility in economic development, we are passionate about our mission and have a lot of fun doing it. Our work is rewarding and continuously evolving, building on our legacy to be a Citizen Wherever We Serve. We seek a highly motivated professional who can operate independently as a trusted advisor to local communities and partners in the southern part of metro Atlanta, one of eleven regions of the state that our team covers. The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in strategic relationship management, business development, and community engagement — with the ability and desire to deepen their expertise in economic and community development. We do this work by collaborating as a team through the following focus areas: Recruit Industry: Grow revenue, jobs, and capital investment. Help companies navigate the site selection journey while working alongside state, regional, and local partners. Focus on business recruitment and expansion opportunities. Develop Communities: Cultivate long-term, meaningful relationships around the state and ensure we are supporting local leaders, development authorities, and economic development partners. Create programs and invest in initiatives that support communities’ growth, development, and revitalization. Create Solutions: Produce and leverage innovative tools and resources that promote Georgia as a top state for job growth and investment and help creatively tell our story. We serve as one team working seamlessly with internal and external partners across the Georgia Power and economic development ecosystems. We serve through our values of Integrity, Innovation, and Stewardship. REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (RED) TEAM FUNCTIONS Each Regional Economic Development Manager focuses on six key functions within their region to prepare our regions for productive economic growth: Economic Development Preparedness Develop and maintain awareness of product (land, buildings, infrastructure, other assets, etc.). Understand local economies, target industries, and other ecosystem factors; identify strengths, gaps, and barriers to strategic growth. Build and maintain exceptional working relationships with key influencers and partners (externally: local development authorities, chambers of commerce, elected officials, Georgia Department of Economic Development. Internally: other Georgia Power organizations like Region External, Power Delivery, Customer Choice, Key Accounts). Promote regionalism and convene stakeholders to advance growth and share best practices. Partner with our internal Strategic Solutions team (research, engineering, marketing, etc.) to solve community problems and identify creative solutions. Programs and Partnerships Participate in Georgia Power signature programs as a teacher, program owner, or contributor (e.g., Georgia Academy of Economic Development). Engage with key external partners to maximize the benefit and influence of Georgia Power’s investments. Combine statewide and regional perspectives to ensure partnerships and collaborations have the most valuable impact. Revenue Generation Serve as regional project lead for competitive expansion projects within the assigned region, advocating for the community and Georgia Power to retain and grow industry. Support community projects by coaching and preparing local teams for competitiveness in project locations. Work with partners to visit existing industries and identify opportunities for retention and expansion. Collaborate internally to add value through products, services, or partnerships — maintaining a “Customer Circle of Life” perspective at all times. RED Team Member Individual Skills Relationship Building and Management: Build exceptional working relationships quickly and effectively across all levels of leadership. Maintain trust and confidentiality across the economic development ecosystem. Facilitation, Training, Coaching: Facilitate strategic planning, training, and coaching sessions in large and small group settings. Comfort serving in this capacity, with support and training from the team, is critical. Communication: Exceptional written, presentation, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills. Entrepreneurial Mindset: Ability to prioritize strategically, think critically, and determine where and how to spend time and resources to advance Georgia Power and community goals. Project Management and Motivation Effectively manage and prioritize multiple projects and requests, respond to urgent deadlines, and maintain balance and wellness. Highly self-motivated with a strong work ethic to manage travel, early morning or evening commitments, and deliverables. Cross-Functional Skills Operate as part of a matrixed team, supporting others based on expertise areas such as workforce development, affordable housing, economic analysis, bond financing, or utility operations. Maintain a continuous learning mindset and pursue training that supports growth and adds value to the team. LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS Model Georgia Power’s core values internally and externally — when Georgia Power cares, communities do too. Build and maintain strong internal relationships across External Affairs, Power Delivery, Customer Choice, Customer Solutions, and other teams. Meet all tracking, reporting, and budgeting expectations to ensure timely and accurate updates for project pipelines and key activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree highly preferred.
Seeking qualified candidates with at least ten years of professional experience related to some or all of the following areas: Local or regional economic development leadership (e.g., development authority executive or senior project manager).
Utility operations and commercial/industrial customer account management (e.g., Key Account Manager or External Affairs/Region External role).
Business development, customer engagement, or commercial/industrial real estate development.
Applied economics, community development, or government relations.
Strategic relationship building, problem-solving, and external representation of organizational brands.
Candidates with a strong background in business and customer relationship management who demonstrate an interest in and aptitude for community and economic development will be considered competitive.
Knowledge of economic and community development concepts & practices is highly valued.
Project management, communication (oral and written), facilitation, and problem-solving skills to coordinate complex customer, community, or special project needs.
Self-motivated and able to perform both self-directed and team-oriented work.
Strong team player with a sense of urgency to meet deadlines and obligations.
Ability to develop creative solutions that anticipate client needs and maximize efficiency.
Strong computer and technology skills across a variety of platforms.
Excellent presentation skills for diverse audiences, including community and elected leaders, company officers, consultants, and state partners.
Commitment to continuous learning and professional development in economic and community development practices.

Nice To Haves

Certifications such as AICP, CEcD, CCIM, CMF, EDFP, or GCED are a plus.
Equivalent experience within Georgia Power or the broader utility industry may be considered in lieu of formal certifications or direct economic development experience.
Demonstrated familiarity with Georgia’s economic development ecosystem, including local development authorities, state partners, and regional collaboration models, is highly valued.
Existing knowledge of communities in the Metro South region and connections with the economic development organizations in the Metro South community will be highly valued
Knowledge of Georgia Territorial Electric Service Act and Georgia Power’s regional structure is helpful.

Responsibilities

Economic Development Preparedness
Develop and maintain awareness of product (land, buildings, infrastructure, other assets, etc.)
Understand local economies, target industries, and other ecosystem factors; identify strengths, gaps, and barriers to strategic growth.
Build and maintain exceptional working relationships with key influencers and partners (externally: local development authorities, chambers of commerce, elected officials, Georgia Department of Economic Development. Internally: other Georgia Power organizations like Region External, Power Delivery, Customer Choice, Key Accounts).
Promote regionalism and convene stakeholders to advance growth and share best practices.
Partner with our internal Strategic Solutions team (research, engineering, marketing, etc.) to solve community problems and identify creative solutions.
Participate in Georgia Power signature programs as a teacher, program owner, or contributor (e.g., Georgia Academy of Economic Development).
Engage with key external partners to maximize the benefit and influence of Georgia Power’s investments.
Combine statewide and regional perspectives to ensure partnerships and collaborations have the most valuable impact.
Serve as regional project lead for competitive expansion projects within the assigned region, advocating for the community and Georgia Power to retain and grow industry.
Support community projects by coaching and preparing local teams for competitiveness in project locations.
Work with partners to visit existing industries and identify opportunities for retention and expansion.
Collaborate internally to add value through products, services, or partnerships — maintaining a “Customer Circle of Life” perspective at all times.