Economic Development Analyst

Economic Development Analyst

The Economic Development Analyst serves as the City's lead analyst for economic and market intelligence, providing advanced research, financial analysis, data modeling, and strategic insights that support economic growth, redevelopment initiatives, and policy development. This position plays a critical role in shaping economic development strategies by combining analytical expertise, market research, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decision-making.

Reporting to the Director of Economic Development, the Analyst evaluates economic conditions, development opportunities, fiscal impacts, and market trends to support investment decisions and strategic initiatives. The position utilizes advanced analytical tools, statistical software, and visualization platforms to transform complex data into actionable recommendations for City leadership, elected officials, developers, businesses, and community stakeholders.

Essential Job Functions

Economic and Market Intelligence

Conducts comprehensive economic, demographic, labor market, industry, and real estate analyses to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges affecting the City's economic competitiveness and growth.

Financial and Fiscal Analysis

Performs advanced financial analyses of development projects, incentive programs, redevelopment initiatives, and public-private partnerships. Evaluates project feasibility, return on investment, fiscal sustainability, and long-term economic impacts.

Data Analytics and Predictive Modeling

Develops and maintains economic forecasting models, scenario analyses, and predictive tools to support strategic planning and policy decisions. Uses statistical techniques to identify trends and assess potential economic outcomes.

Economic Impact Analysis

Conducts economic and fiscal impact analyses related to development projects, business expansions, redevelopment efforts, and policy initiatives. Evaluates impacts on employment, tax revenues, business activity, and community investment.

Data Management and Performance Measurement

Develops and maintains economic development databases, dashboards, and performance metrics. Tracks key performance indicators and evaluates the effectiveness of economic development strategies, programs, and investments.

Research and Strategic Planning Support

Provides analytical support for economic development plans, redevelopment strategies, target industry initiatives, workforce development efforts, and organizational strategic planning.

Geographic and Spatial Analysis

Utilizes GIS technology and spatial analysis tools to evaluate development patterns, investment opportunities, market conditions, and economic trends.

Stakeholder Engagement and Business Intelligence

Collaborates with developers, business leaders, community organizations, regional partners, and internal departments to gather information, validate assumptions, and identify emerging opportunities and challenges.

Reporting and Decision Support

Prepares technical reports, dashboards, presentations, and policy briefings that translate complex economic and financial information into actionable recommendations for leadership and decision-makers.

Economic Development Program Evaluation

Measures and evaluates the effectiveness of economic development programs, incentive agreements, redevelopment initiatives, and strategic investments. Recommends improvements based on quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives

Leads analytical efforts for major economic development projects, redevelopment opportunities, grant applications, and organizational initiatives requiring advanced research and economic evaluation.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Economics, Finance, Statistics, Data Analytics, Real Estate, Business Administration, or a closely related field; and three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in economic analysis, financial analysis, economic development, market research, public policy analysis, data analytics, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Real Estate, Finance, Economics, Data Analytics, Business Analytics, or related field.
• Experience in commercial real estate, economic development organizations, local government, consulting, or market research.
• Experience conducting economic impact studies, fiscal analyses, or predictive modeling.
• Experience using GIS platforms and business intelligence tools.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid State of Georgia Driver's License

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Economic and Financial Analysis

• Advanced knowledge of economic development principles, economic forecasting, and market analysis techniques.
• Strong understanding of public finance, development finance, and economic impact methodologies.
• Ability to evaluate financial statements, development pro formas, incentive structures, and investment opportunities.

Data Analytics and Statistical Software

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including financial modeling and advanced analytical functions.
• Experience with data analytics and visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, ArcGIS, or similar platforms.
• Experience using statistical software and analytical tools such as R, Python, SPSS, SAS, Stata, or comparable applications.
• Ability to collect, clean, analyze, and interpret large datasets from multiple sources.

Research and Strategic Analysis

• Strong quantitative and qualitative research capabilities.
• Ability to identify emerging economic trends and translate findings into strategic recommendations.
• Experience conducting demographic, labor market, industry cluster, and competitive market analyses.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

• Ability to communicate complex technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong presentation, report writing, and data storytelling skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Critical Thinking and Decision Support

• Ability to develop evidence-based recommendations.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical reasoning skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail.

Physical Demands

The work is sedentary to light which requires the ability to exert light physical effort, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Tasks also require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Work Environment

Work is regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.