DIRECTOR, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Center for Economic Growth (CEG) is seeking an experienced Director of Economic Development to lead business attraction, expansion, and strategic initiatives across the Capital Region. This high impact, externally focused role is ideal for a mission-driven economic development professional who enjoys working with companies, partners, and stakeholders to translate opportunity into measurable regional growth.
As a key member of the CEG team, the Director serves as a primary point of contact for companies considering expansion or location and plays a central role in advancing initiatives that strengthen long-term economic competitiveness, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Business Attraction & Investment
• Lead business attraction efforts focused on targeted industries, driving new investment, job creation, and long-term regional impact.
• Manage a pipeline of domestic and international company prospects, evaluating expansion or relocation in the Albany Capital Region.
• Serve as a trusted liaison between prospective companies and regional, state, and local partners, connecting projects to incentives, sites, workforce resources, and infrastructure.
• Respond to business inquiries with customized information related to sites, incentives, workforce, and community assets.
• Represent CEG and the Capital Region at industry trade shows, recruitment missions, and business development events.
• Maintain current knowledge of industry trends, regional assets, and competitive positioning to support recruitment strategies.
• Identify, evaluate, and maintain an up-to-date inventory of existing and future development sites.
Strategic Initiatives & Entrepreneurship
• Lead strategic initiatives that advance CEG’s mission and regional economic priorities.
• Serve as program lead for CEG’s Venture Readiness initiative, supporting high-growth startups by coordinating program delivery and partner engagement, managing grant compliance, reporting, and outcomes, connecting participating companies to capital, mentorship, and regional resources.
• Develop and implement new initiatives that align with regional competitiveness, innovation, and long-term economic growth.
Partnerships & Performance
• Collaborate closely with area economic development organizations, government agencies, academic institutions, and private sector partners.
• Produce reports, dashboards, and performance metrics to track outcomes and inform strategy.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Demonstrated experience in economic development or a related field
• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, economic development, public or business administration, finance, or related field.
• Strong writing, presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with organization, flexibility, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated project management and strategic execution experience.
• Collaborative, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to work independently and take ownership of outcomes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build credibility across diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365; experience with Salesforce or a comparable CRM preferred.
• Familiarity with grant application and administration is helpful but not required; a willingness to learn is essential.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically; some evening or weekend work may be required.
• Genuine enthusiasm for strengthening the Capital Region’s economy.
Compensation and Benefits - The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $95,000. Benefits package includes PTO, generous 401(k), health/life/disability insurance.
About Center for Economic Growth - The Center for Economic Growth (CEG) is dedicated to driving economic growth in New York’s eight-county, 1.1-million-person Capital Region. As a nonprofit regional economic development organization, we do this by attracting investment and talent; growing manufacturing and workforce capabilities, leveraging industry clusters, and developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem. We serve as a catalyst and work with partners and stakeholders to prepare the region to compete and move high-impact strategies and projects forward. An affiliate of the Capital Region Chamber, CEG is supported by investors in business, government, education, and the nonprofit sectors who are committed to sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ceg.org.
The Capital Region Chamber/CEG is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe our organization thrives when every individual feels respected, valued, and empowered to contribute fully. As an advocate for regional businesses, the Chamber/CEG—through its leadership, actions, educational efforts, and community partnerships—is dedicated to fostering a workplace and regional economy where fairness, access, and opportunity are extended to all.
A cover letter and resume should be sent to Heather McDaniel at heatherm@ceg.org
Only candidates being considered will be contacted.
