Business Retention & Expansion Manager

Business Retention & Expansion Manager 

The Wyandotte Economic Development Council (WYEDC), a private public partnership serving the entire county, is seeking a Business Retention & Expansion Manager. The position reports to the Vice President of Business & Workforce Solutions and works closely with the President and community partners to strengthen and grow the county’s business ecosystem.

The Business Retention & Expansion Manager serves as a liaison between WYEDC, existing businesses, entrepreneurs, community organizations, and local, state and federal agencies. The primary focus of this role is supporting the growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of small and mid-sized businesses, ensuring they have access to resources, workforce solutions, and strategic assistance needed to thrive and expand in Wyandotte County.

The successful candidate will combine relationship-building, project management, and economic development expertise to help businesses overcome challenges, identify growth opportunities, and connect with programs that support success. This individual must possess a collaborative mindset, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a highly engaged team. The candidate will join a small and energetic office culture where flexibility, initiative, and hands-on problem solving are highly valued.

Primary Responsibilities: 

·     Organize, conduct, and analyze business retention and expansion visits, interviews, and surveys, utilize CRM systems to track trends, identify opportunities, and coordinate follow-up assistance.

·     Build and maintain strong relationships with existing businesses, with particular emphasis on supporting the growth and resilience of small and emerging companies.

·     Maintain regular contact with businesses through outreach initiatives, networking opportunities, educational programming, and targeted communications.

·     Monitor local business trends, workforce needs, industry changes, economic indicators and market conditions impacting business growth.

·     Develop and implement programs that proactively identify and address the needs of existing businesses and entrepreneurs.

·     Connect businesses with local, state, and federal incentives, financing programs, workforce resources, technical assistance, and other tools that promote expansion and investment.

·     Support initiatives that foster entrepreneurship, small business development, innovation, and economic growth.

·     Collaborate with workforce development, educational, and community partners to identify and deliver workforce solutions that help businesses recruit, retain, and develop talent.

·     Assist in marketing and communication efforts that highlight business success stories, available resources, and economic development opportunities.

·     Maintain and expand databases of local businesses, including minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises.

·     Participate in committees, partnerships, and initiatives that advance business growth, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community prosperity.

·     Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate has experience in team leadership, project management, and marketing. They have excellent facilitation skills, strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, well-developed oral and written presentation skills, and the ability to maintain confidentiality. This person will lead multiple projects at once, requiring strong organization, attention to detail, and follow-through. They must be able to work independently with minimal supervision while remaining a reliable team contributor. 

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree,
• 3  years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience in the fields of economic development, program management, or business sales. 
• Knowledge of incentives/finance, workforce programs, and the community is preferred. 
• Individual must maintain a valid driver’s license. 

Compensation:

• Salary: $60,000 - $75,000, based on experience.
• Competitive benefits, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement plan, vacation, and sick time.

Email a cover letter and resume to Greg Kindle, President of Wyandotte Economic Development Council, at gkindle@wyedc.org by August 19, 2026. The position will remain open until it is filled.