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WSP in the U.S. · 1 day ago

Senior Economic Development Specialist

Albany, NY

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$123K/yr - $219K/yr

10+ years exp

WSP is currently seeking a Senior Economic Development Specialist to provide leadership within the Economics, Finance, and Grants team. The role involves managing economic development strategies, projects, and developments while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and fostering client relationships.

AssociationBankingE-Commerce

Responsibilities

Provide proactive and strategic leadership for the planning discipline and function, offering direction, expertise, and support to ensure project and work site deliverables are successfully achieved within the business sector

Oversee the appropriate use of topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS data, and other visualization tools to determine exact locations of project areas, associated physical / urban / economic / political sensitivities, and to uncover primary, secondary, and tertiary impacts

Lead larger-scale more complex land/urban planning projects ensuring contributors know what they are required to do and by when, preparing and overseeing relevant project budgets, monitoring external events, tracking hours and expenses, ensuring profitability and satisfactory performance, and supervising subcontractors, contract work, and employees

Responsible for the contribution and management of multi-disciplinary project teams in all phases of the execution and delivery of siting, impact assessment, and permitting for assigned business sector projects, as well as land/urban planning and management projects

Actively foster compliance with applicable Federal, State, and Local Agency laws, policies, and regulatory requirements

Lead technical aspects of contract negotiation, presentations, and meetings

Assist with the preparation of an annual update to business tactical action plans within the specified area

Analyze local, state and national trends, policies and/or legislation to determine impact

Support the overall long-term strategy, growth, and pipeline development of Land/Urban Planning work for WSP in assigned area of responsibility, with a focus on opportunities in all disciplines (planning, design, strategic consulting, and program management)

Conduct needs analyses and client value surveys to align the planning discipline’s function with business and project strategy, identifying and addressing any skill gaps or risks within the sector business operations

Develop a client base for providing high level Land/Urban Planning services including identifying additional business development opportunities, and cross-selling of other WSP capabilities

Qualification

Economic development strategiesUrban planningInfrastructure financePublic-private partnershipsZoning lawsRegulatory complianceLeadership by influenceEntrepreneurial spiritClient relationship managementNeeds analysisCommunicationOrganizational skillsStrategic pursuits

Required

Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, Public Policy/Administration or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Minimum 10+ years of experience in a regional economic development agency or corporate environment working in business attraction/retention, the land/urban planning field, actively engaging in general plans, specific/master plans, zoning code updates, public involvement, and regulatory compliance for a variety of client projects relating to development, construction, infrastructure, transportation, environment, resiliency, revitalization, and/or adaptation

Strong working knowledge of relevant zoning laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, job creation/retention, applicable Regional / State / Federal regulatory framework and the business impact upon the organization

Demonstrated experience leading by influence

Experience in leading and winning major strategic pursuits

Excellent communication skills (presenting and writing)

Organized, self-starter with a strong entrepreneurial spirit