Help Build the #1 Region in America
The Cedar Rapids Region is on the rise — and we’re looking for ambitious, innovative, and community-minded professionals to help lead what comes next.
This role is with a private-sector, nonprofit economic development organization dedicated to advancing the long-term prosperity and competitiveness of the Cedar Rapids Region.
Our mission is to drive bold economic, workforce, and population growth strategies that strengthen the region and expand opportunity for businesses, talent, and residents.
Our vision is ambitious: to become the top region in the United States to live, work, grow a business, and build a future.
Achieving that vision requires people who think strategically, execute effectively, collaborate across sectors, and are motivated by meaningful, measurable impact.
Position Details
- Title: Economic Development Program Specialist
- Full-time, in-person position based in the Cedar Rapids Region
- Private-sector nonprofit organization with a mission-driven culture
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
- Ideal candidate brings 3–5 years of professional experience
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Industry experience preferred
- High-impact role with regional visibility and cross-sector collaboration
- Opportunities for professional growth
What You’ll Do
- Support and engage emerging leaders, college students, and early-career talent through programs that build the region’s future workforce pipeline
- Support the design and delivery of new economic development initiatives that advance regional growth priorities
- Provide day-to-day program coordination and logistical support for economic development activities, including meetings, events, site visits, and stakeholder engagements
- Manage logistics for outbound business development efforts, including scheduling, travel coordination, materials preparation, and follow-up engagement
- Coordinate outreach activities with business leaders, public officials, educational institutions, and regional partners
- Track engagement activity, program progress, and outcomes to support reporting and strategic decision-making
- Work closely with internal teams to ensure seamless execution of regional economic development strategies
- Represent the organization in meetings, events, and community engagements across the Cedar Rapids Region and beyond
Who You Are
- 3–5 years of experience in economic development, business development, consulting, nonprofit operations, public policy, or a related field
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Industry experience in economic development, workforce development, business engagement, consulting, or a related field preferred
- Strong project management and operational coordination skills
- Experience supporting programs, stakeholder engagement, or workforce/talent initiatives preferred
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Comfortable working across public, private, and nonprofit sectors
- Collaborative, proactive, and motivated by mission-driven work
Pay: $55,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
