Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development Manager

Join the team that’s powering the future of Northeast Indiana.

Northeastern REMC is searching for a dynamic Strategic Partnerships & Economic Development Manager to lead growth across our region and build lasting relationships with our largest commercial and industrial members. In this high-impact role, you’ll be the utility’s front-line ambassador—driving business development initiatives, strengthening key account partnerships, and collaborating with community leaders.

The ideal candidate brings strong sales and relationship-building skills, and the ability to manage multiple project pipelines, proposals and provide seamless support from concept to completion in a fast-paced environment. This position plays a critical role in supporting business expansion, resolving member needs, and ensuring the utility’s reputation as a trusted, proactive partner in the communities we serve.

If you’re energized by business development, skilled at building trust with executives and public officials, and eager to shape the economic landscape in Northeast Indiana, this role offers the chance to make a real and measurable difference. This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic influence, community impact, and relationship-building in a role that helps power progress—one partnership at a time.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Department: Legal, Compliance, & Advocacy

Reports to: VP & Senior Counsel of Energy and Regulatory Affairs

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Supervises: None

POSITION SUMMARY

The Strategic Partnerships & Economic Development Manager serves as the primary point of contact for the cooperative’s largest industrial and commercial members. This position leads the cooperative’s economic and community development initiatives, including identifying, attracting, and advancing new business projects within the service territory. This role is also responsible for delivering exceptional service, resolving issues promptly and accurately, and proactively strengthening relationships with key accounts. This individual will cultivate strong partnerships with local officials, community stakeholders, and prospective businesses to support growth, ensure project success, and maintain the cooperative’s reputation as a trusted local partner.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, public policy, marketing or a related field preferred.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in economic development, sales, key account management, external affairs, or related roles.
• Experience working with public officials and community organizations strongly preferred

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Strong sales aptitude with demonstrated success in business development, customer relations, or account management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate professionally with executives, public officials, community members, and internal staff.
• Ability to understand and articulate technical concepts related to electric service, infrastructure, and energy solutions (training provided as needed).
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to influence decisions, solve problems, and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• High degree of professionalism, diplomacy, and independent judgment.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Economic Development

• Identify, solicit, and secure new commercial and industrial projects within the cooperative’s service territory.
• Collaborate with local, regional, and state economic development partners to support business attraction and retention.
• Lead business recruitment efforts and actively market the cooperative and its communities to site selectors, developers, consultants, and prospective companies.
• Prepare and deliver proposals, load data, rates, and supporting materials tailored to prospective projects.
• Manage project pipelines, timelines, and reporting to ensure clear communication and organizational alignment.

Key Accounts & Member Relations

• Serve as the frontline representative and primary liaison for large industrial and commercial members.
• Provide timely, professional responses to member inquiries, service issues, and operational needs, ensuring accurate resolution and follow-through.
• Develop and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key accounts to support retention, satisfaction, and growth.
• Coordinate internally with legal, engineering, operations, billing, and other departments to proactively address member needs and deliver a seamless customer experience.
• Monitor member usage trends, load expansions, operational changes, or emerging issues and communicate impacts to relevant internal teams.

External Affairs & Community Relations

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with local government officials, community leaders, and civic organizations.
• Represent the cooperative in community meetings, public forums, and local planning or zoning processes.
• Support cooperative projects by navigating local sitting, permitting, and compliance issues, facilitating discussions to ensure successful outcomes.
• Coordinate community outreach initiatives that enhance the cooperative's visibility, credibility, and support for economic and infrastructure projects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented office environment on a flexible schedule.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; frequently required to act based on own interpretation.
• This semi-hybrid position requires 2–3 days per week in the Columbia City office, with remaining workdays offering remote flexibility. The role is primarily focused on Allen and Whitley counties and includes occasional travel to Indianapolis.

This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned to fulfill the objectives of the cooperative.

NREMC reserves the right to revise or change the description and specifications as the need arises.

This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.