Find Jobs
Find Jobs Near You – Available Work in Your Location
Regional Economic Development Director
Career Insights for Economic and Workforce Development Program Director (Public Sector)
See where this job fits in the broader career landscape. Knowing your career path helps you see what's possible from here.
Scorecard
Based on national data
Review key factors to help you decide if this role fits your goals. How is this calculated?
What they do
An Economic and Workforce Development Program Director employs strategies to improve the economy and support the skill development of workers in a city of state. They may administer economic development to attract and retain businesses and industries and support programs to support unemployed or underemployed workers. They manage relationships with businesses, civic groups, and training providers to support the local economy and workers within it.
$200,183 / year median in the U.S.
+1% projected growth
Job Description
Location:
Remote (Wisconsin-based)Reports To:
Senior Economic Development Director About WEDC The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) works with businesses, communities, and partners statewide to foster innovation, support job creation, and strengthen Wisconsin's competitive position. Driven by a mission to make Wisconsin the best place to live, work, and build a business, WEDC is a purpose-driven organization that values integrity, collaboration, and forward-thinking solutions, and invests in its people so they can help invest in Wisconsin's future. WEDC is a Wisconsin-based organization with a remote-work-first environment. Remote work is expected to be performed in the state of Wisconsin. Role Overview & Key Responsibilities The Regional Economic Development Director serves as the primary WEDC representative for communities and businesses within an assigned region of Wisconsin. This role helps drive economic growth by connecting organizations with resources, providing strategic guidance, managing development projects, and building strong partnerships with local, regional, and statewide stakeholders. The assigned territory includes Eau Claire, Chippewa, Dunn, Barron, Polk, St. Croix, and Pierce counties. In this role, you will: Serve as a trusted advisor to businesses, communities, and economic development partners within the assigned region Identify and support business and community development opportunities through strategic consultation and resource deployment Manage a portfolio of regional accounts and build strong relationships with local stakeholders and partner organizations Review projects and provide recommendations related to economic and community development investments Assist businesses and communities with financing strategies, program implementation, and access to available resources Monitor project performance and support ongoing compliance and reporting activities Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to advance regional economic development goals Represent WEDC at meetings, conferences, public events, and speaking engagements throughout the region Qualifications Bachelor's degree in economics, urban and regional studies, urban planning, community development, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience Ten or more years of experience in economic development, community development, or a related field Must reside within the assigned region, which includes Eau Claire, Chippewa, Dunn, Barron, Polk, St. Croix, and Pierce counties Experience working with businesses, communities, financial partners, and economic development organizations Strong project management, relationship-building, and customer service skills Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced environment Frequent statewide travel, including overnight travel (more than 30%) Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation requiredWEDC DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING STATEMENT WEDC
must be a diverse and inclusive organization reflective of the businesses, communities, and people in Wisconsin and beyond. We believe that diversity drives innovation and commit to create an inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace where our differences are celebrated as drivers of our organization's performance.TO SUPPORT A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE AT WEDC, WE WILL WORK TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING GOALS
Increase WEDC's racial diversity, specifically with Black/African American, Native American and Latinx populations; Increase LGBTQ representation across WEDC; and Increase the diversity of WEDC's leadership.TO MEET OUR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION GOALS, WEDC WILL TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS
Create an intentional approach to recruit minority candidates by using targeted media channels to promote open positions; Ensure formal offers are made only after a diverse pool of candidates have been considered at each hiring stage; Identify and develop a variety of employee resource groups, including groups for African Americans, Hispanics and Latinos, LGBTQ+ and more; Post signage to highlight WEDC's commitment to diversity and inclusion; and Revisit EEO disclosures in our application process to highlight statements regarding WEDC's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution and EEO/Affirmative Action Employer committed to excellence through diversity. Employment offers are made on the basis of qualifications, and without regard to race, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation. Veteran Declaration Applicants for employment are invited to participate in affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment. •PROTECTED VETERAN DEFINITION
Protected veteran means a veteran who may be classified as an active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, disabled veteran, Armed Forces service medal veteran or recently separated veteran. Active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense. Armed Forces service medal veteran means any veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985 (61 FR 1209, 3 CFR, 1996 Comp., p. 159). Disabled veteran means (1) a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or (2) a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability. Recently separated veteran means a veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service.EEOC RACE/ETHNIC IDENTIFICATION CATEGORIES
Hispanic or Latino- A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race. White (not Hispanic or Latino)
- A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa. Black or African American (not Hispanic or Latino)
- A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (not Hispanic or Latino)
- A person having origins in any of the peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands. Asian (not Hispanic or Latino)
- A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian Subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand and Vietnam. American Indian or Alaska Native (not Hispanic or Latino)
- A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment. Two or more races (not Hispanic or Latino)
- All persons who identify with more than one of the above races.