ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Position Summary

The Economic Development Specialist will function as the Research Manager. This role is responsible for sourcing, synthesizing, interpreting, and presenting economic, geographic, demographic, firmographics, etc., content and data that support AEDC’s mission and goals.

This position requires on-site employment with no remote or hybrid options available.

Preferred Qualification

• The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, public administration, community development, library science, geography, or a related field; plus, one year of experience in a research capacity, program management, or a related field.
• Familiarity with national and international business environments and geography.
• Familiarity with Arkansas’ economic landscape and geography.
• Ability to source, synthesize, interpret, and present information for memos, reports, RFPs/RFIs, presentations, and other use cases.
• Ability to organize, compartmentalize, and prioritize multiple research projects and data/content requests.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the Research Manager’s systems and processes, identify inefficiencies, and recommend/implement corrective actions.
• Ability to prepare and present information effectively.
• Ability to write and speak clearly and concisely.
• Collaborative, agile, inquisitive, proactive, and resolute.
• Knowledge of database use as well as research methods, techniques, and resources.
• Must have experience in utilizing a CRM system, preferably Salesforce, and be proficient in the use of word processing, spreadsheet programs, and presentation software, preferably Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with Geographical Information Systems, preferably ESRI.

Job Responsibilities and Expected Results

Serve as the lead researcher for the Business Development team’s efforts:

1. Compile demographic, firmographic, and economic information for companies, business prospects, consultants, etc.
2. Support AEDC’s response to Requests for Proposals/Information (RFP/RFIs) from companies and site location consultants.
3. Maintain comprehensive state business comparisons that compare Arkansas to other states on variables such as business costs, tax rates, labor force availability, etc.
4. Define and identify the State’s prominent industry clusters.
5. Proactively provide content/data in a creative and helpful format.

Assist Agency Research Efforts to Meet the Needs of Internal and External Customer Groups:

1. Provide information to external customers in pursuit of economic development initiatives.
2. Provide research expertise to intra-agency projects and programs (e.g., identify companies and contacts that Marketing should target for lead generation purposes, support Marketing on web page content updates and enhancements, etc.).
3. Assist in creating briefing books used by the Governor and AEDC members during key trade shows and foreign business recruiting trips, as well as prepare economic briefing materials for the Governor’s Office or other officials.
4. Special projects (e.g., working with strategic planning to compile information for industry targeting).
5. Assist in proofing data/content in AEDC materials to present to internal and external customers.
6. Provide information for Marketing to use in the development of marketing materials, speeches, reporter requests, articles, advertisements, etc.

Complete Assigned Economic Reports, Lists Preparation, and Provide General Economic Information:

1. Update the Export Statistics and Foreign Owned Business Report annually to support the Agency’s foreign trade and investment efforts.
2. Collaborate with the Department of Workforce Services to ensure the integrity, interpretation, and appropriate reporting of the data provided.
3. Maintain a current state-by-state cost of living comparison spreadsheet.
4. Compile and maintain information concerning Arkansas corporations, industry sectors (metals, forest, aerospace & defense, etc.), regions, and business clusters.
5. Compile, analyze, and interpret Arkansas’ economic trends.
6. Provide statistics, briefing notes, speaking points, profiles, etc. to internal and external customers.

7. Develop spreadsheets, databases, and reports to collect and analyze economic information (examples include workers’ compensation benefit comparisons, employee turnover, and wage comparisons).

Serve as an External Liaison with other agencies on research matters.

1. Cultivate and maintain relationships with representatives from other agencies and organizations to collaborate on partnerships and projects relevant to the AEDC’s research needs.
2. Responsible for maintaining a relationship with software vendors, including Lightcast, ESRI, and C2ER, to ensure full utilization of resources and timely renewals as needed.
3. Seek opportunities from other entities for research-related professional training.

Other Duties as assigned.