Career Opportunities

Company Description:
Indy Economic Development is the new economic development organization for the City of Indianapolis and Marion County. Our core purpose is to create the opportunity for all Indianapolis citizens to earn a great living and prosper in a diverse economic environment that encourages growth and creates and retains the jobs of today and the jobs of tomorrow.

Formed in January 2025, Indy Economic Development is currently operating with a small but dynamic team in our downtown Indianapolis office. As we continue to grow over the coming months, responsibilities and priorities may evolve to align with our organizational development and expanding initiatives.

Job Summary:
The Vice President of Business Development will lead Indy Economic Development’s business attraction and expansion strategy, positioning Indianapolis and Marion County as a premier destination for business investment, job creation, and capital investment. The Vice President will lead the development and execution of strategies to attract new companies, expand Indianapolis’ presence within priority industries, strengthen relationships with corporate decision-makers and site selection professionals, and advance complex economic development projects from initial prospect engagement through project execution. This role will provide strategic leadership to the Business Development team and work closely with the President & CEO, City of Indianapolis officials, state economic development partners, utilities, developers, and other stakeholders to advance Indianapolis’ economic competitiveness.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development

• Establish key structures and performance measures necessary for the long-term success of Indy Economic Development’s business attraction and expansion function.

• Conduct research, gather data, and perform analysis to support business attraction, industry development, market competitiveness, and project planning.

• Provide executive leadership in shaping the organization’s business development function and ensure alignment with organizational KPIs and goals, including projects, jobs, wages, capital investment, prospect activity, and project wins.

• Support the President & CEO in executing key strategic business development initiatives and provide counsel regarding major investment opportunities and Indianapolis’ competitive position.

• Manage and develop Business Development team members, ensuring team members are supported, educated, and held accountable while fostering professional growth and high performance.

Business Attraction & Project Execution

• Lead complex business attraction projects from initial prospect identification and engagement through site selection, due diligence, incentive consideration, municipal approvals, and final project execution.

• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate executives, site selection consultants, commercial real estate professionals, developers, utilities, industry leaders, and economic development partners; coordinate responses to RFIs, RFPs, site-selection inquiries, prospect visits, and other competitive project opportunities.

• Demonstrate proactive community communication to ensure business development details reflect inclusive growth and transparent practices.

• Work collaboratively with relevant city departments and officials to move major projects forward and help prepare key project details for decisionmakers’ review.

Market Engagement & Industry Leadership

• Identify and participate in targeted conferences, industry events, site selection forums, and business development activities that generate qualified investment opportunities for Indianapolis; partner with IEDI communications leadership to strengthen business-attraction materials and prospect presentations.

• Represent IEDI as asked for targeted events and speaking opportunities.

• Execute targeted industry strategies, including opportunities within defense, energy, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, technology, and other priority sectors, and identify federal programs, funding opportunities, policies, and partnerships that can support business-attraction projects.

Partnerships & Resource Development

• Collaborate with IEDI leadership to identify private-sector partnerships and strategic resources that support economic development initiatives and business-attraction priorities.

• Work closely with local, regional, and state partners to ensure Indianapolis’ business community and stakeholders are engaged and collaborative in IEDI’s business attraction efforts.

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, business, economics, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

• Strong oral and written communication skills and experience with executive briefings, public speaking and media interaction.

• Proven senior leadership experience in business attraction, economic development, corporate location strategy, site selection, commercial development, or a related field.

• Demonstrated success attracting significant capital investment and job-creating projects and managing complex economic development projects involving public- and private-sector stakeholders.

• Strong understanding of site selection, economic development incentives, local tax finance, infrastructure, workforce, real estate, and corporate investment decision-making.

• Demonstrated experience developing and managing high-performing teams and measurable business development pipelines; established relationships within priority industries or the national site-selection and economic development community preferred.

• Excellent strategic planning, negotiation, relationship-building, presentation, and executive management skills.

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) plan with a company match of 100% up to 5% contributions

• Generous PTO

• Remote work flexibility (work from home one day a week)

• Paid parental leave

Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office environment or other business-type setting. Work is often conducted before, during, and after traditional business hours 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The team currently operates on a hybrid schedule. Events are generally held at a public location. These events may occur before, during, and after traditional business hours and may require travel on both in-office and remote workdays.

Physical Demands:
Must be able to work proficiently with computers and other office equipment.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.