Oklahoma State Government
Director of Event-Driven Economic Development
🇺🇸Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States4 days ago
$90,000 – $110KExecutiveFull Time
Job Posting Title
Director of Event-Driven Economic DevelopmentAgency
160 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCESupervisory Organization
Department of CommerceJob Posting End Date
Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.
Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)
Full/Part-Time
Full timeJob Type
RegularCompensation
Compensation: $90,000 - $110,000Job Description
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is the State economic development office. Our mission is to cultivate an environment where businesses and communities can grow and thrive. We are a trusted government agency that partners with businesses and communities for strategic and sustainable growth and success, moving Oklahoma forward to becoming a top-ten state.
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce seeks to fill a Director of Event-Driven Economic Development position. This position is a full-time position in the state government. Oklahoma Department of Commerce offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents. For more information about the benefit allowance, visit the Oklahoma State Benefits Overview. The annual salary for this position is up to $110,000 based on education and experience.
Qualified applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and references to be considered.
The Director of Event-Driven Economic Development operates at the intersection of economic development, major events, and statewide coordination. Oklahoma hosts a growing number of high-profile events—from global competitions to nationally recognized sporting and cultural gatherings—that bring decision-makers and business leaders into our communities. This position is responsible for translating those moments of visibility into sustained economic opportunity.
The Director will lead strategic efforts to identify, engage, and recruit businesses connected to these events, while also serving as a central coordination point of contact and a conduit for state agencies. The role ensures Oklahoma shows up aligned, prepared, and strategic—leveraging each event not just as a moment, but as a catalyst for investment, tourism, and long-term growth. This position will report to the Executive Director of EDGE.
Identify and pursue business recruitment opportunities tied to major events, including visiting executives, sponsors, and affiliated companies.
Plan and coordinate initiatives and strategy with the Executive Director of the EDGE Division and the CEO.
Develop and execute targeted engagement strategies to convert event-related exposure into relocation, expansion, or investment activity.
Coordinate across state agencies (Tourism, Transportation, Public Safety, etc.) to align planning and execution around major events.
Serve as a critical state-level point of contact for major events with multi-agency impact, ensuring seamless collaboration and responsiveness.
Engage with local hosts, cities, and organizing committees to ensure statewide priorities are represented and advanced.
Support the development of consistent, statewide messaging to maximize Oklahoma’s visibility and brand during major events.
Track outcomes and measure the economic development impact of event-driven engagement efforts.
Represent the Department of Commerce at key events and planning meetings.
Understand and convey Quality Jobs profiles, incentive analyses, proposal coordination and preparation, company research, site selection research, and state and local information.
Accurately update and maintain division databases with client information to facilitate reporting project status to division members.
Prepare and submit comprehensive status and activity reports.
Network with potential clients in the industry and among site location consultants developed at trade shows, special events, and other social networking opportunities.
Travel up to 50% of the time.
Other duties as assigned.
Must have a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in business, marketing, or a related field and at least 4 years of experience in economic development, business, marketing, sales, or real estate. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
CEcD or attendance at the Economic Development Institute (EDI) is desirable.
Experience with MS Dynamics 365, or a combination of education and experience, will be considered.
Strong project management experience, including planning, execution, and delivery across multiple stakeholders and timelines.
Exceptional relationship development, social skills, and management skills, with the ability to influence without authority.
Experience coordinating complex, cross-functional initiatives involving public and/or private sector partners.
Track record of business development, economic development, and/or relationship-driven growth initiatives.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages to different audiences.
Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to connect individual activities to broader economic and statewide outcomes.
Sound judgment and discretion when working across agencies, leadership teams, and external partners.
Experience working with or alongside government entities, economic development organizations, or large-scale events (preferred).
Knowledge of effective management, sales techniques, industry trends, best business practices, community and regional economic development programs and practices, as well as state and Federal government agencies involved in economic development or recruitment.
Skills and experience in leadership, business etiquette, organizing information, writing reports, and presenting material are also required.
General knowledge and skills in Microsoft applications and databases are required.
A qualified candidate must be intellectually engaged, demonstrate initiative, leadership, flexibility, and creativity.
Applicants must be willing to travel for job-related reasons (up to 50% of the time) to meet with companies, consultants, and partners, which often require extended and irregular hours.
The successful candidate must also be willing to work the necessary hours to complete the job.
Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.
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