Economic Development Coordinator
City of Ann Arbor
Administration · Full-time
Ann Arbor, MI, USA
USD 55k-65k / year
Posted on Sep 12, 2025
Ann Arbor consistently ranks among the best places to live in the U.S. Our high quality of life, vibrant downtown, expansive parks, and the presence of the University of Michigan all contribute to a rich cultural and economic landscape. We aim to leverage these strengths to solidify Ann Arbor’s standing as a Midwestern tech hub, a national leader in sustainability, and a city where everyone is welcome, can find a home, and has the opportunity to thrive.
To help fulfill this mission, the City is seeking an action-oriented Economic Development Coordinator within the newly-established Office of Economic Development. This position offers a unique opportunity to support a wide range of strategic initiatives including development of public-private partnerships, development of housing at all income levels, policy creation, business attraction and retention, and placemaking.
The work involves project coordination, research, analysis, and staffing in support of the City’s economic development goals. The Coordinator will gain hands-on experience that can be used in a wide variety of fields and will work closely with both nationally-renowned real estate developers and small businesses alike, with ample opportunities to build a robust professional network.
This role is ideal for a rising professional who thrives at the intersection of analysis and execution; someone who can both assemble and communicate data, craft compelling narratives, coordinate complex projects, and engage effectively with key stakeholders. This position will join a nimble, versatile, and high-impact team working to build an economy that works for everyone. We are looking for passionate, self-motivated individuals who take pride in seeing things through, thrive with complexity and enjoy learning.
The Department plays a critical role in shaping both the physical landscape and the long-term direction of the city, making it highly visible and often subject to public attention. While the Coordinator role is primarily supportive, many projects may generate strong community interest and feedback. As such, candidates should be comfortable operating in a politically engaged and dynamic environment.
The successful candidate will be a collaborative self-starter with strong analytical and communication skills, private-sector sensibilities and a commitment to public service. The Coordinator should be comfortable working on multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Candidates are encouraged to review a recent report describing economic development in Ann Arbor, which is available on the City’s Economic Development website: https://www.a2gov.org/economic-development/.
Education, Training and Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in public administration, urban planning, economics, business or a related field.
- At least three (3) years of professional experience in economic development or in a field reasonably related to the aforementioned degrees.
- Master’s degree in a relevant field, MBA or JD may substitute for professional experience.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Education, Training and Experience Preferred:
- At least five (5) years of professional experience in economic development or in a related field.
- Experience in economic development program design and/or implementation or policy analysis.
- Familiarity with municipal policy and planning processes.
- Familiarity with public incentives (ex. tax increment financing, Brownfields, tax abatement)
- Comfort with graphic design or visualization tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Illustrator, ArcGIS).
- Experience reviewing, writing, and/or negotiating contracts.
- Ability to use AI to supplement research and writing (but not as substitute for personal abilities).
View Additional Requirements and Information at: Economic Development Coordinator
City of Ann Arbor is an equal opportunity employer.