Director of Targeted Attraction and State Affairs

Are you a strategic relationship-builder, economic development professional, and policy-minded leader ready to make an impact? Arlington EDC is looking for a Director of Targeted Attraction and State Affairs!

In this high-impact role, you’ll help attract innovative and high-growth companies to Arlington, strengthen local business supply chains, and position Arlington as a premier destination for corporate offices, headquarters, and established businesses.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under general supervision of the Assistant Executive Director, the Director of Targeted Attraction and State Affairs is responsible for leading initiatives to attract high-impact companies to Arlington, including those in targeted industry sectors and those that serve as vendors or suppliers to existing businesses. The role also includes managing Arlington’s legislative engagement at the state level, advocating for economic policies that foster business growth, and enhancing Arlington’s competitive position as a prime location for investment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Lead strategic efforts to attract companies in targeted sectors, as well as businesses that serve as vendors or suppliers to existing Arlington-based companies, creating a robust local supply chain ecosystem.
• Develop and implement tailored outreach plans to engage prospective businesses, aligning their relocation or expansion needs with Arlington’s unique assets and incentives.
• Host and participate in business outreach events, conferences, and economic forums to promote Arlington’s business opportunities and vendor network potential.
• Prepare detailed reports on targeted attraction and legislative activities for presentation to Arlington EDC leadership, board members, and the City Council.
• Monitor, track, and analyze state legislation and regulations impacting Arlington’s economic development initiatives, with a focus on policies affecting local business ecosystems and funding alternatives.
• Proactively pursue business prospects and leads through trade show travel at targeted industry events. This should include setting up meetings in advance, as well as “cold introductions” and trade show floor walking.
• Coordinate with staff and EDC Board of Directors to build target lists of scalable and sustainable companies for Arlington’s strategic attraction efforts.
• Partner with Marketing/Communications to promote Arlington as a premier destination for corporate offices, headquarters, and established businesses.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Analyze economic trends and regulatory changes affecting targeted industry sectors, identifying both opportunities and challenges for Arlington.
• Oversee targeted attraction programs and initiatives, managing timelines, budgets, and Key Performance Indicators (KPls) to ensure alignment with Arlington EDC’s strategic goals.
• Engage with local stakeholders, community leaders, and business representatives to build support for attraction efforts.
• Travel to attend meetings, conferences, and training; may travel internationally.
• On a nontypical basis, may perform other additional duties not listed in this description that are in alignment with the scope of essential job functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Ability to embrace and embody the City’s efforts “Working Together to Make Arlington Better”—and values of providing outstanding customer service; exceeding expectations in delivering core service and daily operations; diversity, creating positive relationships, and maintaining effective partnerships with the community and organizations; upholding the highest professional and ethical standards; achieving results through planned actions and measurable performance.
• Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving a variety of generally pre-defined duties which are often characterized by frequent change.
• Ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others on how to apply procedures and standards to specific situations.

Ability to operate a variety of office equipment including but not limited to:

• Printers
• Multi-Channel radio
• Copier
• Ability to operate a personal computer, proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate networking and off-site meetings as well as travel both domestically and internationally.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
• Ability to calculate, compute, tabulate and summarize data and/or information. Includes the ability to perform subsequent analysis and actions in relation to these computational operations.
• Ability to work in an office environment and supporting a team; contribute as a team member and treat co-workers, subordinates, and customers with respect.
• Resourceful; detail-oriented; proactive; solution-focused; able to work independently; demonstrates strong work ethic.
• Ability to build professional relationships with internal staff and customers.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work extended hours, evenings, and weekends.

Qualifying Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public or business administration, economic development, public policy, or in a closely related field.
• Five (5) years progressively responsible experience in economic development, business attraction, or legislative affairs, with demonstrated experience working directly with Texas state legislators, committees, or government agencies.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of CRM Software programs (HubSpot, Salesforce, etc.)
• Knowledge of Arlington’s economic landscape, business environment, and strategic development priorities.
• In-depth understanding of the Texas legislative process and experience managing relationships with state policymakers, especially on issues related to economic development.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and strategic planning skills with the ability to develop and advocate for complex policy positions.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders and effectively present to executive leaders.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Established network within Texas’s economic development and legislative communities.
• Have obtained or seeking to obtain professional certifications such as Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) or relevant industry certifications.
• Proven expertise in developing and executing attraction strategies for targeted industries, vendors, or suppliers supporting existing businesses.

Employment Screenings Required:

• Criminal Background Check
• Drug & Alcohol Testing
• Motor Vehicle Record Review (MVR)