Project Specialist Economic Development

Are you passionate about strengthening communities, supporting local economic growth, and making a meaningful impact through your work? Our client is seeking a highly organized and collaborative Project Specialist to join their mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing economic development and creating opportunities for businesses, workforce development, and community prosperity.  Enjoy a hybrid work opportunity in beautiful downtown Indianapolis!

The Economic Development Project Specialist provides essential administrative and project support to the Chief Economic Development Officer and the Indy Partnership team. This entry-level role is well suited for someone who enjoys administrative work, values accuracy and service, and is interested in gaining experience in economic development. 

• Provide general administrative and project support to the Indy Partnership economic development team.
• Provide direct administrative support to the Chief Economic Development Officer, as assigned.
• Process purchase orders and maintain related records in accordance with organizational procedures.
• Coordinate meeting arrangements; prepare and distribute agendas and minutes; manage attendee invitation and RSVP lists; and maintain related meeting records.
• Prepare briefing materials, correspondence, meeting summaries, and updates to support clear and timely communication with internal and external stakeholders, including cross-functional teams and Indy Partnership Practitioners.
• Handle confidential, sensitive, and time-sensitive information with appropriate discretion.
• Support the Research Manager with Request for Proposal data requests and recurring research assignments, such as cost-of-living and wage and benefit surveys.
• Coordinate logistics for inbound VIP site visits and familiarization tours, including hotels, transportation, itineraries, and related arrangements.
• Coordinate logistics for Indy Partnership out-of-market engagement, including conference sponsorships, exhibitions, and special events.
• Assist, as assigned, with travel arrangements and trip preparation for the Chief Economic Development Officer, Director of Business Recruitment, and other Indy Partnership staff, including domestic and international travel.
• Manage assigned components of team-based or individual economic development projects, with the scope of responsibility based on project needs, experience, and direction provided.
• Maintain positive, service-oriented relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support other administrative and project assignments as needed. 

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrates interest in regional economic development mission and a willingness to learn.
• Embraces core values of Love Indy, Dream Big, and Move Together.
• Works well in a team environment and independently.
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Takes appropriate initiative.
• Anticipates and alerts others to potential problems with projects or processes.
• Demonstrates effective verbal, written, and email communication skills.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills; must be able to effectively communicate with a variety of individuals with diverse backgrounds, education, economic levels, and roles; must be able to effectively communicate with people with differing political affiliations and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate difficult/sensitive information tactfully.
• Demonstrates effective problem-solving skills.
• Can synthesize collected information into a clear, concise one-page memo or similar document.
• Demonstrates a service orientation with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and Microsoft Teams; familiarity with Salesforce or another CRM is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

One to three years of relevant administrative, customer service, project support, or office experience preferred; relevant education, internships, or other transferable experience may be considered. 

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our client does 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.