Economic Development Services Manager

About the Position

The Economic Development Services Manager is a senior management professional responsible for advancing the City of Oshkosh’s economic vitality, redevelopment initiatives, and longterm strategic goals. Working closely with the Community Development Director, City Manager, Common Council, boards and commissions, regional partners, and the development community, this position leads the City’s Economic Development Services Division and delivers programs that support business attraction, retention, redevelopment, and sustainable growth.

As a key member of the City’s leadership team, the Manager provides strategic direction and professional judgment in a dynamic public environment, balancing economic opportunities with policy objectives, financial considerations, and community priorities. The role oversees division operations, supervises professional staff, manages operating and capital budgets, and serves as the City’s lead economic development project manager on major initiatives, including downtown and riverfront redevelopment.

In addition, the Economic Development Services Manager works closely with businesses, developers, property owners, and regional economic development partners to advance public-private partnerships and implement innovative strategies that strengthen the local economy and support the City’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives.

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Essential Duties

  • Manage the Economic Development Services Division, including hiring, supervising, and evaluating staff. Oversee personnel and labor-related functions, administer and monitor the division budget, establish annual performance goals with the Community Development Director, improve work procedures, and prepare required reports.

  • Develop and implement the division’s annual work program, including business retention and expansion, business recruitment, industrial and business park marketing, downtown and riverfront redevelopment, and entrepreneurship initiatives. Provide technical assistance on Tax Increment Financing (TIF), oversee economic development elements of City plans and redevelopment efforts, maintain vacant land and building inventories, analyze market and demographic data, and develop policy recommendations for City leadership.

  • Coordinate with the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation (GO-EDC) to prepare business prospect proposals and responses. Work with property owners, developers, businesses, and partners to attract and retain employers, support expansion, and advance development and redevelopment projects. Provide expertise in development financing tools, development agreements, and public-private partnerships.

  • Represent the City in development and redevelopment negotiations. Solicit and evaluate redevelopment proposals, assemble land and financing packages, coordinate approvals and project implementation, and resolve design and code issues. Serve as project manager for special initiatives and provide interdepartmental coordination and staff support.

  • Develop and present economic development recommendations to City leadership, assist with policy implementation, serve on boards and committees, and prepare and deliver reports and presentations to the Common Council, Plan Commission, Redevelopment Authority, Board of Appeals, and other advisory bodies.

A Thriving Community

The City of Oshkosh is an award-winning community in the heart of Wisconsin’s Fox River Valley, located about 90 miles north of Milwaukee and 50 miles south of Green Bay. With a population of more than 66,000, Oshkosh is the largest municipality in Winnebago County and the ninth largest city in the state. Oshkosh offers the friendliness of a small town with the amenities of a larger city, including an excellent school system, quality health care, abundant recreation, and a low cost of living.

Situated on the western shore of Lake Winnebago and bordered by the Fox River and Lake Butte des Morts, Oshkosh is known for its waterfront lifestyle and year-round outdoor activities. The city has earned national recognition, including Money Magazine’s “Top 100 Best Places to Live” and Business Week’s “Best Places to Raise Your Kids.”

Oshkosh’s economy is anchored by manufacturing, education, and health care, with top employers including Oshkosh Corporation, Amcor, U.S. Bank, Oshkosh Area Public Schools, the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, and Aurora Medical Group. Median household income is $60,711, and the median home value is $168,400.

Education opportunities are robust, with a highly rated public school district, several private schools, Fox Valley Technical College, and the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh—Wisconsin’s third-largest university with approximately 13,000 students. Health care is provided by Ascension NE Wisconsin, Aurora Medical Center, and a new Froedtert ThedaCare Health campus.

Residents enjoy more than 400 acres of parks, marinas, the Fox River Riverwalk, Menominee Park Zoo, and a variety of cultural attractions, including the Paine Art Center and Gardens, Grand Opera House, and EAA Aviation Museum. Annual events, such as the Oshkosh Farmers Market, complement year-round recreation. The city is also home to the Wisconsin Herd, the Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA G League team.m.

Learn more at oshkoshwi.gov.

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The Ideal Candidate

The City of Oshkosh seeks an experienced economic development professional to serve as Economic Development Services Manager. The ideal candidate is a strategic, collaborative leader with strong expertise in municipal economic development, redevelopment finance, and public-private partnerships, and the ability to balance market conditions, policy objectives, and community priorities. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to build effective relationships with elected officials, City leadership, staff, businesses, developers, and regional partners.

Expected Hiring Range: $84,000 to $114,000 (DOQ)

Excellent benefits package includes:

  • Exceptional insurance, benefits, and time-off program.

  • Enrollment in Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Pension.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Community Planning, Public Administration, or a related field.

  • Four to six years of experience in business development and commercial revitalization, including at least two years of supervisory experience.

  • Ability to obtain International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Certified Economic Development Professional (CEcD) designation within two years of hire.

  • Possession of and ability to maintain a valid driver’s license.

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Innovative Public Advisors (IPA) is conducting the executive recruitment process for this position.

Applications are now being accepted until filled with first review no later than February 20, 2026.

Please upload (right) or send a cover letter, resume, salary history, and professional references to Jess Wildes at jess@public-advisors.com. Please direct questions to 262-339-5658.

Thank you for your interest!