Career Center

The Associate Director of Economic Development will assist the CEO with economic development strategies and initiatives in the Brookings, South Dakota area.  Brookings County, with population over 34,0000, is home to South Dakota State University (SDSU), South Dakota’s land-grant university, and is a growing hub for manufacturing and for bioscience research and development.  Livability.com ranked Brookings among the 25 best cities for entrepreneurs in 2017, and SMU DataArts ranked it seventh in 2019 for arts-vibrancy among small communities. 

The Associate Director will maintain the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality in all aspects of BEDC business. 

The Associate Director will be part of team committed to strengthening the Brookings economic development ecosystem through leadership and collaboration.

The Associate Director is responsible for:

• Assisting with the design, development, implementation, and management of strategies and action plans that create and maintain an environment that enables economic growth in the Brookings area
• Coordinating and collaborating with public and private partner organizations to grow a vibrant economic development eco-system
• Act as a convenor bringing together organizations and people that can act on a strategy
• Working with the Marketing Specialist to market action plans and communicate economic development strategies
• Communicating with regional business community to understand their needs for growth and success
• Research grant opportunities, submit applications and manage and administer grant-related programs
• Maintaining information in a constituent relationship management system
• Research and manage and publish relevant economic data
• Other duties as directed by the Executive Director

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study to include Marketing, Public Relations, Business Administration, Economics, or related field is preferred but not required.
2. Knowledge and experience in a wide range of economic development practices
3. Strong creative, strategic, analytical, organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
4. Knowledge of computer software applications and systems in the areas of customer relationship management systems, spreadsheets, presentations, and database management.
5. Ability to effectively and professionally communicate both written and verbally with board of directors, executive management, elected officials, business executives, organizations, and the public.
6. Excellent organizational and time management skills including ability to prioritize assignments, meet deadlines and manage multiple projects at one time.
7. The ability to work independently and in a team environment
8. The ability to build relationships with constituents of the BEDC