Opportunities
1. Executive Director - Albion Economic Development Corporation
Join our vibrant community as the next Albion Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) Executive Director. We are looking for a strategic and collaborative leader to play a leading role in shaping the future and directing the growth of a unique, historical college town in the midst of an energetic economic renaissance.
Albion’s EDC focuses on driving economic revitalization by attracting businesses, supporting workforce development, and investing in strategic infrastructure to create a vibrant community where residents can live, work, and thrive.
We are looking for a leader that reflects AEDC’s values and vision.
As the leader of the AEDC, you will guide strategic economic development, lead and support growth and collaboration initiatives, and leverage AEDC’s property portfolio and other tools to meet AEDC’s long- and short-term goals.
You will also be responsible for building strong relationships with community, regional, and state organizations to maximize Albion’s opportunities for economic growth.
Current activities you will lead include:
- Continued development and marketing of Albion’s industrial parks.
- Acquiring and administrating relevant Federal, State and Local grants and funding sources to facilitate home improvements, affordable housing, business expansion and other economic initiatives.
- Providing business coaching support for existing, expanding and new Albion area businesses.
Required skills:
- Relationship Building: Forming trusted relationships with stakeholders at local, regional and state levels.
- Strategic Thinking: Reflecting and acting strategically with critical analysis, long term vision and proactive problem solving.
- Operational Management: Managing the organization with fiscal integrity and stewardship.
- Boardsmanship: Working collaboratively with a volunteer board to realize the board’s mission and goals.
- Leadership and Management: Leading, supporting, motivating, and managing a team of career and volunteer staff.
Education and experience:
- A bachelor's degree in a related field is required. (e.g., business, economics, public administration); a master’s degree is preferred.
- Extensive experience in economic development, business management, commercial real estate development, business education, or a related field is essential.
Annual Salary Range: $80,000 – $110,000
Send Cover Letter and Resume:
Bruce Nelson
Interim Executive Director
Albion Economic Development Corporation
115 N. Superior
Albion, MI 49224
bnelson@albionedc.org
2. Director of Economic Development - Lansing Economic Development Corporation
Date of Posting: August 13, 2025
Company: Lansing Economic Development Corporation (Lansing EDC)
Great leadership opportunity in Economic Development
The Lansing EDC is a nonprofit economic development organization focused exclusively on the city of Lansing, Michigan. We serve as a bridge between the public and private sectors to create a stronger economy and better community. We are a diverse team of skilled and knowledgeable professionals who share a passion for serving Lansing. Our mission is to improve the Lansing community by fostering strategic, sustainable, and equitable economic development. For more information on the Lansing EDC, staff, and the Board of Directors, visit lansingedc.com.
Compensation: Salaried $80,000 to $95,000. Commensurate with demonstrated skills, professional qualifications, and experience.
Benefits: Full medical, dental and vision coverage; 401(k) match program with 6% match; a diverse, dynamic, and flexible environment; generous personal time allowance and holiday leave, including 80 Paid Time Off (PTO) hours following 90-day probationary hire period and continued accumulation after that; paid parking; paid professional development.
Work Location: The work location is primarily in person at the Lansing EDC office in Lansing, Michigan, with limited remote working opportunities.
Reports to: Kris Klein, President & CEO
Application Deadline: September 12, 2025
Required: Cover Letter, Resume, and Three Professional References.
To Apply: https://www.indeed.com/job/director-economic-development-bee6e5ec422e976a
Position Description:
The Lansing EDC Director of Economic Development is responsible for the organization's Redevelopment and Business Services Division including overseeing complex real estate development projects and utilizing incentives, advancing effective business development programming, managing project and program staff, and representing the Lansing EDC in the community. By working closely with community stakeholders, businesses, developers, and government agencies, the Director of Economic Development will generate real and lasting results that will change lives and make the city of Lansing a better place to live.
The ideal candidate will have a strong combination of personnel and program management and technical skills, including experience with business expansion, retention, attraction, real estate, brownfield redevelopment, and placemaking. They should also have exceptional communication and presentation skills and a strong track record of meaningful community engagement and stakeholder collaboration.
The candidate should also have experience in lending, financial modeling, business plans, real estate development pro formas, credit analysis, business plan review, and accounting and finance skills. They must also be able to review and understand complex contracts, legal documents, public policies, and legislation.
Success in this position requires a strong commitment to helping people, a deep understanding of fairness, access, inclusion, and representation, a willingness to learn, and the desire to help people, the community, and businesses in Lansing.
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
The Director of Economic Development will manage multiple direct reports and be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:
- Manage and coordinate real estate development projects for the Lansing EDC, including brownfield redevelopment, placemaking and public infrastructure improvements.
- Oversee business retention, expansion, and attraction efforts for the Lansing EDC.
- Meet with businesses and property owners, developers, stakeholders, and others to discuss development projects, economic development programs, incentives and other development tools.
- Attend public meetings, give project presentations, represent businesses and developers.
- Represent the Lansing EDC on committees/boards and public bodies, as assigned. Most meetings are held during traditional business hours. However, some night and weekend meetings will be required.
- Work with environmental consultants, local organizations, the city of Lansing, and other stakeholders in leveraging state and federal dollars for economic development purposes, including researching and writing grant applications.
- Conduct administrative and accounting work related to economic development projects.
- Perform ongoing monitoring, tracking, auditing, and reporting of projects, grants, loans, incentives, and other programs.
- Develop and conduct site searches for businesses and development projects.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President & CEO.
Qualifications:
- Five or more years of experience in economic development or a similar profession, with at least two years in a supervisor or managerial role.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, real estate, accounting, economic development, or a related field of study.
- Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) and/or Certified Economic Developer (CEcD).
- Member of Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDC) or International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
- Valid driver’s license and the use of a personal vehicle for work purposes.
Skills Necessary:
- Ability to work under pressure, manage a large workload, and meet deadlines.
- Possess strong analytical, interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills; able to communicate with a broad and diverse audience of all levels.
- Possess a knowledge of Project Management and Microsoft Office software.
- Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative team environment.
- Demonstrate a high level of self-direction and strong desire to achieve high-level results.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information.
Apply here: https://www.indeed.com/job/director-economic-development-bee6e5ec422e976a
All information received from applicants is held in the highest confidence. This position may require a full criminal and credit background check.
Lansing Economic Development Corporation (Lansing EDC) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, the Lansing EDC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation and/or training.
3. Executive Director - Otsego County Economic Alliance
OCEA is an economic development nonprofit serving Gaylord and Otsego County, MI. Founded in 2001, the OCEA works to foster sustainable economic growth and improve the quality of life across the region through strategic public/private collaborations. The Executive Director reports to a volunteer Board of Directors and has various areas of responsibility.
Organization
- Present positive professional respectful behavior, develop programs that create high quality development and manage economic growth.
- Develop and manage an annual budget and plan of work while executing on goals annually as set by organization.
- Lead organizational fund-raising efforts and maintain a broad base of support in area served.
- Develop a working relationship with business and industry leaders in Otsego County.
- Coordinate public relations activities, meet with the media and promote organizations brand.
- Be a resident of Otsego County which is the core service area in which OCEA operates.
- Hire, coach and manage staff by building a fun collaborative work culture, maintain personnel files and all organization records in proper order.
- Fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement through staff, board and community partners.
- Prepare monthly activity reports highlighting community development activities, business retention and expansion activities, jobs retained, business start-up and attraction activities, and new jobs.
- Compile an annual report detailing the activities and accomplishments of the organization, including but not limited to the data, statistics and kpi impact to the community. This information would be routinely shared in public capacity to stakeholders, partners, businesses and the community.
- Operate the business operations of OCEA with in-office presence during stated business hours as established by the Board of Directors. This is not a Remote Position.
Business Development
- Work closely with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Small Business Development Center, and others to support the start up, retention, and expansion of existing businesses and location of new companies to Gaylord and Otsego County.
- Serve as an information resource for local site availability and local permit procedures while engaging local professionals when applicable.
- Lead and execute marketing and strategic initiatives to attract or assist expansions of businesses in Otsego County.
- Serve as a resource link between business, industry, government, education facilities and community.
- Serve on appropriate boards, committees and commissions as approved by the OCEA Board of Directors.
- Promote a diversity of businesses in all sectors of the economy with an emphasis on high value products and wages.
Community Development
- Champion economic growth as a path to a more prosperous Otsego County and surrounding area.
- Create community development programs that promote high quality development, manage economic growth, maintain the region’s unique quality of life.
- Provide assistance to communities with infrastructure development and revitalization efforts.
- Provide technical assistance with community revitalization, business attractions, economic analysis, business park development, industrial park development, historic preservation, economic planning and goal setting.
- Lead and facilitate conversations with any and all stakeholders in OCEA coverage area about the best policies and practices that drive prosperity through economic development and growth.
- Provide leadership and develop partnerships to leverage resources to achieve community goals.
Necessary Skills
- Ability to complete projects with minimal supervision, work within deadlines, manage multiple projects, and demonstrate critical thinking skills.
- Ability to work with large and small groups, provide leadership, solve problems, and resolve conflicts.
- Ability to build trust and respect in all interactions.
- Ability to use current technology, creative writing, proposal preparation, and presentation skills.
- Exhibit strong business ethics and provide excellent customer service. Ability to learn from accepting open honest feedback, act with empathy and understand others opinions.
- Ability to gather, analyze, and present various types of information and data.
- Effective communicator, both verbal and non-verbal in all interactions. Ability to speak fluently about organization, relevant facts and accuracy with all communications.
- Ability to manage a staff effectively and in a manner with appreciation, respect, and professionalism.
- Ability to promote mission of organization while growing support, including but not limited to financial support, organizational support, convening various parties to accomplish a task whether as a leader or contributor
Education and Experience
- Master’s Degree preferred with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
- Economic Development Institute and/or National Development Council training preferred.
- Preferred experience in any of the following: economic and community development, business/finance, public administration, civil or municipal engineering or grant administration.
- Partnership, packaging and management of projects utilizing Community Development Block Grants, MDOT Transportation Alternatives, EDA, MEDC, Brownfield, EGLE, DNR and/or USDA programs.
- Experience with localized programs, services and departments with DDA, City, Townships and County.
- Strives for continuous learning opportunities relevant to job role, programming or partnership development.
How to Apply
- Qualified candidates shall submit a letter of interest, resume and references to the Otsego County Economic Alliance, Attn: Nick Florian, Chairman via e-mail to info@gaylord-otsego.com. Delivery by USPS can also be made to Nick Florian, OCEA Chairman, 100 E. Main St., Gaylord, MI 49735.
- Salary Range $80,000 – $105,000
- Employment Salaried, Full Time
- Benefits Medical, Dental, Vision, Life
- Retirement Benefits Qualified Plan
- Paid Time Off Yes
- Personal/Sick Time Yes