Job Details
Position:
Community and Economic Development Specialist
Company:
Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation - Beaufort, SC , United States
Job Description:
The Community & Economic Development Specialist supports the Executive Director in
implementing the BCEDC’s economic development programs and priorities.
The position will work with existing businesses, prospective businesses, site selection
consultants, property owners, developers, local governments, state and regional economic
development organizations, educational institutions, chambers of commerce, utilities, and
other community partners.
The Specialist will be expected to learn the organization’s programs, systems, sites, target
industries, partners, and prospects and become a reliable point of contact for day-to-day
economic development activities.
This position requires someone who can move comfortably between research and
analysis, business outreach, project coordination, marketing, administrative work, and
direct interaction with business and community leaders.
Key Responsibilities
Business Recruitment and Project Development
• Support the Executive Director in responding to business recruitment and
expansion opportunities.
• Research prospective companies, industries, markets, and site selection
requirements.
• Respond promptly to requests for information from businesses, site selection
consultants, developers, and economic development partners.
• Prepare company and community information, demographic data, workforce
information, incentives, utility information, available properties, and other materials
needed to support business recruitment projects.
• Assist with the preparation of proposals, presentations, project summaries, site
information, and other materials used in business recruitment.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding active business prospects and projects.
• Track projects from initial inquiry through completion and maintain accurate
records in the BCEDC’s CRM and project management systems.
• Assist with coordinating meetings, site visits, community tours, and other activities
associated with business prospects.
Existing Business and Investor Relations
• Assist with the BCEDC’s existing business and industry retention and expansion
program.
• Participate in business visits and maintain regular contact with local businesses.
• Document business needs, expansion plans, workforce challenges, infrastructure
needs, and other issues identified through business outreach.
• Help connect businesses with appropriate local, regional, state, and federal
resources.
• Conduct timely follow-up after business retention and expansion (BRE) meetings to
address identified needs, challenges, and opportunities, coordinating with
appropriate partners and resources to support resolution.
• Maintain accurate records of business contacts, meetings, projects, and follow-up
activities.
• Help identify opportunities for business growth, expansion, and investment within
Beaufort County.
Sites and Property
• Maintain current information on available industrial, commercial, and development
sites.
• Research and update site characteristics, ownership, acreage, utilities, zoning,
transportation access, environmental information, buildings, and other relevant site
data.
• Assist with site visits and property evaluations.
• Work with property owners, developers, engineers, utilities, local governments, and
other partners to gather information needed for prospective projects.
• Help maintain site marketing materials and online property information.
Research and Data
• Conduct research on demographic, economic, workforce, industry, real estate, and
market conditions.
• Prepare maps, charts, reports, presentations, and other information used by the
Executive Director and Board.
• Track relevant economic development trends and identify information that could
affect Beaufort County’s competitiveness.
• Maintain accurate databases and information within the BCEDC’s CRM and other
technology platforms.
• Use available technology, including artificial intelligence tools, to improve research,
response times, communication, and organizational efficiency.
Marketing and Communications
• Assist with marketing Beaufort County as a place to live, work, invest, and do
business.
• Help prepare presentations, newsletters, reports, social media content, website
information, project announcements, and other communications.
• Support the development of marketing materials targeted to specific industries,
companies, and site selection consultants.
• Help coordinate events, meetings, business visits, trade missions, conferences, and
other economic development activities.
Partnerships and Community Engagement
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with businesses, property owners,
developers, local governments, chambers of commerce, utilities, educational
institutions, workforce organizations, state and regional economic development
organizations, and other partners.
• Attend economic development meetings and represent the BCEDC professionally
when assigned.
• Participate in community meetings and presentations as appropriate.
• Help educate community partners about the role of economic development and the
BCEDC’s programs and priorities.
Organizational Support
• Assist the Executive Director with implementation of the BCEDC’s strategic
priorities and annual work program.
• Prepare reports, spreadsheets, presentations, correspondence, and other materials
as requested.
• Assist with Board meetings, committee meetings, presentations, and special
projects.
• Maintain organized project files and ensure that commitments and follow-up
activities are completed.
• Attend occasional evening or weekend meetings and events when necessary.
• Perform other duties that support the mission and objectives of the BCEDC.
Qualifications
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in economic
development, business, economics, marketing, public administration, planning,
communications, real estate, or a related field is preferred.
• Three or more years of experience in economic development, business
development, marketing, planning, real estate, government, community
development, or a related field is preferred. Candidates with strong potential and
relevant experience in another field may also be considered.
• Experience with economic development, business recruitment, business retention
and expansion, site selection, commercial real estate, or community development
is desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is
expected.
• Experience with CRM systems, project management platforms, GIS, economic
development data platforms, or artificial intelligence tools is a plus.
• A valid South Carolina driver’s license and the ability to travel throughout Beaufort
County and occasionally outside the region are required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The successful candidate should have or be willing to develop:
• Knowledge of basic economic development principles and practices.
• An understanding of business recruitment, retention, and expansion.
• Ability to research companies, industries, markets, properties, and economic
trends.
• Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and present information.
• Strong writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities.
• Ability to work independently while knowing when to ask for assistance.
• Strong attention to detail without losing sight of larger organizational goals.
• Good judgment and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Ability to work effectively with public officials, business leaders, property owners,
consultants, community organizations, and the public.
• Willingness to learn new technology and use it to improve productivity and service.
• Ability to represent the BCEDC professionally in meetings, events, site visits, and
other settings.
What You Can Expect
This position provides an opportunity to work directly with the Executive Director and gain
practical experience across nearly every aspect of economic development. You will not be
limited to one area of the profession.
The BCEDC is a small organization, which means your work will be visible and your
contributions will matter. The right person will be given increasing responsibility as they
demonstrate initiative, reliability, judgment, and the ability to get things done.
The goal is to build a strong economic development professional who can contribute
immediately while continuing to grow with the organization.
About the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation
Beaufort County is one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing communities and one of the
state’s most recognized destinations for business, tourism, and quality of life. Located in
the Lowcountry along the Atlantic coast and Interstate 95, the county includes the City of
Beaufort, Town of Port Royal, Town of Bluffton, and Town of Hilton Head Island.
The Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC) was created to
strengthen and diversify the county’s economy. While tourism and the military remain important parts of the local economy, the BCEDC works to expand opportunities in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, life sciences, aquaculture and seafood,
technology, logistics, and other targeted industries.
The BCEDC is seeking a Community & Economic Development Specialist to join its team
and work closely with the Executive Director. This position is an important part of the
organization’s day-to-day economic development efforts and will provide support across
business recruitment, existing business assistance, research, marketing, site
development, project management, and community engagement.
The ideal candidate is a self-starter who takes initiative, learns quickly, follows through,
works well with others, and genuinely cares about the mission of the BCEDC and the future
of Beaufort County.
How to Apply
To apply, submit a cover letter and résumé for consideration. The cover letter should
describe your interest in the position, relevant experience, and ability to support
community and economic development work in Beaufort County.
Application materials should be sent to:
Ms. Kelli Brunson, Interim Executive Director
kbrunson@thrivebeaufort.org
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position will remain open until
filled. Candidates selected for further consideration may be asked to provide references,
writing samples, or additional information.
All inquiries and application materials will be handled confidentially to the extent permitted
by law.
Equal Opportunity
The Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation is an equal opportunity
employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, skills, and the
needs of the organization.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed
by employees in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties,
responsibilities, qualifications, or requirements. The BCEDC reserves the right to modify
responsibilities as organizational needs change.
Contact Information
Kelli BrunsonPhone: NA
Fax: NA
kbrunson@thrivebeaufort.org
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