JOB DESCRIPTION

The Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC) is seeking applicants for a full-time Economic Development Program Manager to join our team in Albany, New York. This position applies advanced economic development, project management, partnership-building, and grant development skills in a collaborative, team-based environment to advance regional economic development priorities across New York's Capital Region.

A central focus of this role is the generation, development, and successful funding of implementable economic development projects, particularly through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), and other state and federal funding programs. The position also supports administration and expansion of Capital Region Foreign-Trade Zone #121. The successful candidate will be entrepreneurial, resourceful, highly organized, and capable of transforming regional needs and community priorities into actionable projects, partnerships, and funding opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Economic Development Project Generation and Grant Development

• Proactively identify, generate, and advance a pipeline of implementation-ready economic development projects aligned with regional priorities, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), EDA investment priorities, NBRC programs, and other state and federal funding opportunities.
• Work directly with municipalities, counties, nonprofit organizations, economic development partners, businesses, and other stakeholders to move projects from concept through scoping, funding alignment, application development, award, and implementation readiness.
• Provide technical assistance related to project development, grant eligibility, funding strategy, budget preparation, partnership development, and grant application preparation.
• Maintain and actively manage a portfolio of prospective projects and funding opportunities across the Capital Region.

EDA Partnership Planning and CEDS Implementation

• Lead implementation of the region's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and related economic development priorities.
• Coordinate with local governments, economic development organizations, educational institutions, workforce partners, businesses, and federal and state agencies to advance regional economic development initiatives.
• Promote awareness of EDA funding programs and work with prospective applicants to develop competitive project proposals.
• Prepare required reports, data, performance information, and supporting materials in compliance with EDA requirements.

NBRC Program Administration and Technical Assistance

• Serve as the primary program manager for CDRPC's role as New York State's Local Development District (LDD) for the Northern Border Regional Commission.
• Conduct outreach to eligible communities and organizations, with particular emphasis on low-capacity communities and first-time NBRC applicants.
• Provide technical assistance related to project generation, project readiness, predevelopment activities, proposal preparation, application development, budgeting, and implementation planning.
• Assist prospective applicants in navigating federal requirements, including eligibility, reimbursement procedures, environmental review requirements, and other grant compliance considerations.
• Coordinate with NBRC and New York State program staff regarding program implementation, reporting, outreach, and technical assistance activities.

Foreign-Trade Zone Administration

• Manage, administer, and expand participation in Capital Region Foreign-Trade Zone #121.
• Conduct outreach to manufacturers, distributors, importers, exporters, site operators, and economic development partners to identify opportunities for FTZ utilization.
• Track and cultivate FTZ prospects, support applications and activations, and promote FTZ benefits as a tool for regional business growth, retention, and competitiveness.

Partnership Development and Regional Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with local governments, county economic development agencies, industrial development agencies, chambers of commerce, educational institutions, state agencies, federal partners, nonprofit organizations, utilities, and private-sector stakeholders.
• Represent CDRPC at meetings, conferences, committees, workshops, and public events related to economic and community development.
• Facilitate collaboration among partners to advance regional economic development goals and funding opportunities.

Analysis, Research, and Technical Support

• Provide economic, demographic, workforce, fiscal, and project-readiness analysis to support economic development initiatives and funding applications.
• Develop data visualizations, project summaries, presentations, reports, and public-facing materials.
• Conduct economic impact analysis and related technical work as needed; however, the primary emphasis of the position is project development, grant development, funding strategy, and implementation support.

BENEFITS

Benefits include:

• Generous health insurance coverage (New York State Health Insurance Program)
• Membership in the New York State and Local Retirement System
• NYS Deferred compensation savings plan
• Paid Family Leave
• Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts
• Hybrid work environment
• Professional development and training opportunities