Economic Development Program Manager

Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC)

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.

Other Duties

Maintain project tracking systems, grant records, and performance metrics.
Contribute to agency communications, website content, presentations, and economic development outreach materials.
As part of a multidisciplinary team, provide technical assistance related to planning, economic development, land use, infrastructure, and community development issues.

Success Measures

Success in this position will be evaluated in part based on:

Development and advancement of a robust economic development project pipeline.
Number and quality of grant applications developed and submitted.
Grant funding secured for regional partners.
Growth in participation and engagement within Capital Region Foreign-Trade Zone #121.
Successful implementation of EDA and NBRC program responsibilities.
Quality of partnerships established and maintained throughout the region.
Ability to identify opportunities and move projects from concept to implementation.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in economic development, planning, public administration, public policy, business administration, geography, urban studies, or a related field and at least five years of progressively responsible experience; or a master’s degree in a related field and at least three years of progressively responsible experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience in project development, grant writing, economic development, public-sector initiatives, community development, or related fields.
Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to build relationships and work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with EDA, NBRC, federal grant programs, Foreign-Trade Zones, infrastructure funding, or community and economic development initiatives.
Demonstrated success in grant development and funding acquisition.
Experience working with municipalities, counties, nonprofit organizations, economic development agencies, or federal and state funding programs.
Experience with economic, demographic, workforce, or fiscal analysis.
Familiarity with GIS, data visualization tools, economic impact analysis software, or related technical applications.
AICP, CEcD, EDFP, or similar professional credential is desirable.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range: $65,026 – $105,421, depending on qualifications, experience, and appointment level. The position may be filled at either Level III (Senior Planner equivalent) or Level IV (Program Manager equivalent) under CDRPC’s job classification guidelines. Candidates with significant experience in economic development, grant development, project generation, Foreign-Trade Zone administration, or regional partnership management may be considered for appointment at the higher level.

Benefits include:

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

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume via email with the subject line “Economic Development Program Manager” to cdrpc@cdrpc.org.

Applications will be accepted until 4pm, August 21, 2026.

To learn more about the Capital District Regional Planning Commission, visit www.cdrpc.org.