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Grow Choctaw is seeking a high-performing Economic Developer to help lead and advance the economy of Southeast Oklahoma. This professional will serve as a strategic representative within the assigned region, working directly with businesses, community leaders, elected officials, and regional partners to drive measurable economic growth.

Strengthen communities. Support local businesses. Advance regional competitiveness.

About Grow Choctaw

Grow Choctaw (Choctaw Nation Economic Development) serves as the regional economic development organization for 10 1/2 counties in Southeast Oklahoma. We provide economic development support to the communities we serve at no cost, giving local leaders access to regional expertise, resources, and coordinated assistance without membership dues or service fees.

Our work is focused on four core areas:

• Business attraction
• Business retention and expansion
• Retail recruitment
• Community development

Because Grow Choctaw is a department within the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, this position is uniquely structured without fundraising responsibilities. The Economic Developer can remain focused on business growth, community relationships, project execution, and measurable regional outcomes.

We are an internationally recognized organization committed to strengthening long-term economic resilience, increasing revenue generation, and improving quality of life across rural communities.

Position Overview

The Economic Developer will execute strategic economic development initiatives within an assigned geographic region and serve as a primary driver of business growth, investment attraction, and stakeholder coordination.

This role requires strong relationship management, analytical capability, and disciplined project execution. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate measurable progress in business retention, investment attraction, and community engagement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting business retention and expansion efforts
• Assisting with business attraction initiatives
• Advancing retail recruitment through market analysis and targeted outreach
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with community leaders and stakeholders
• Conducting research and market analysis to identify competitive advantages
• Representing Grow Choctaw at meetings, events, and professional forums

This position offers the opportunity to shape the economic trajectory of high-potential rural markets by strengthening regional competitiveness and advancing long-term strategic growth.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are seeking a professional who is:

• Relationship-driven and community-engaged
• A strategic thinker with strong written and verbal communication skills
• Organized and capable of managing multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Motivated by measurable outcomes and long-term impact
• Passionate about rural economic development and community advancement

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience and at least five years of experience in economic development, community engagement, business assistance, or related fields. Advanced degrees and professional certifications such as CEcD, PCED, EDFP, or AICP are highly valued.

Professional Growth & Development

Grow Choctaw values continuous learning, professional excellence, and industry leadership. We are seeking a lifelong learner committed to advancing within the economic development profession.

While industry-recognized certifications such as CEcD, EDFP, PCED, AICP, or similar credentials are valued at the time of hire, the selected candidate will be expected to actively pursue appropriate professional certifications following employment. Pursuit of professional certification is an expectation of this role.

The department supports ongoing professional development, participation in state and national associations, and advancement toward industry-recognized credentials. We believe investing in our people and maintaining high professional standards strengthens both our organization and the communities we serve.