Senior Economic Development Planner – Special Initiatives

Houston-Galveston Area Council • Houston, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is seeking a Senior Economic Development Planner – Special Initiatives to lead the implementation and coordination of strategic initiatives such as broadband, digital opportunity, resilience, and infrastructure. This role involves analyzing regional data, identifying needs and opportunities, developing strategies, and securing federal, state, philanthropic, and private funding. The position will also coordinate the Texas Regional Broadband Plan and support the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The planner will lead consulting engagements, develop strategic partnerships, and represent H-GAC at various meetings and events. Responsibilities include preparing professional reports, monitoring legislation, and staying abreast of industry best practices.

Requirements

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, regional planning, public administration, project management, grant development, consulting, broadband, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience researching, developing, and managing competitive grant applications and funding strategies.
• Experience leading planning studies, consulting engagements, strategic initiatives, or community development projects.
• Strong research, analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate complex issues and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, presentations, grant proposals, and briefing materials for diverse audiences.
• Strong facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and organizational priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy, Community Development, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience working with local government, nonprofit organizations, regional planning, economic development, project management, grant administration, consulting, or related responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy, Community Development, or a related field.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, planning, consulting, grant strategy, strategic initiatives, or regional collaboration.
• Experience managing federally funded programs and pursuing funding from agencies such as the Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), or other federal and state funding programs.
• Experience supporting broadband, digital opportunity, resilience, infrastructure, or community development initiatives.
• Professional certification such as the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Grant Professional (CGP), or similar credential.
• Experience working with councils of governments, regional planning organizations, economic development organizations, or other public-sector entities.
• In-depth understanding of local, state, and federal economic development policies and regulations.
• Established connections with key industry stakeholders, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Experience with GIS, data visualization, project management software, or grant management systems is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation and coordination of strategic initiatives, including broadband, digital opportunity, resilience, infrastructure, and other Board or departmental priorities.
• Analyze regional data, identify emerging needs and opportunities, and develop strategies that improve services, expand economic opportunity, and strengthen regional competitiveness.
• Identify, evaluate, and pursue federal, state, philanthropic, and private funding opportunities that align with organizational and regional priorities.
• Lead development of competitive grant applications, including project narratives, budgets, work plans, supporting documentation, and coordination with internal and external partners.
• Provide strategic oversight of awarded grants by coordinating compliance activities, reporting requirements, performance tracking, and collaboration with Finance and project teams.
• Coordinate implementation of the Texas Regional Broadband Plan (TRBP) and related telecommunications initiatives by working collaboratively with local governments, state agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector partners.
• Support implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) by advancing priority projects, initiatives, and collaborative regional efforts.
• Lead consulting engagements, economic development planning projects, and special initiatives for local governments, public agencies, and regional partners.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with local governments, economic development organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, businesses, utilities, and state and federal agencies.
• Identify opportunities for regional collaboration, joint initiatives, and multi-jurisdictional funding strategies that leverage public and private resources.
• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate regional meetings, workshops, conferences, advisory committees, peer exchanges, and other stakeholder engagement activities that strengthen partnerships and advance H-GAC priorities.
• Represent H-GAC at local, regional, state, and national meetings, conferences, advisory committees, public events, and collaborative initiatives.
• Prepare professional reports, planning documents, grant applications, presentations, briefing materials, and recommendations for leadership, partner organizations, elected officials, boards, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor emerging legislation, funding opportunities, policy trends, and industry best practices related to economic development, broadband, strategic initiatives, and regional planning.

Benefits

• All employees of H-GAC are required to reside within the agency’s region of service to support our commitment to excellence in serving our region.
• H-GAC is an Equal Opportunity/ADA Employer.
• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
• All employees of H-GAC are required to reside within the agency’s region of service to support our commitment to excellence in service of our region.
• H-GAC is an equal opportunity/ADA employer.
• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or protected veteran status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior