Project Manager – Site Selection & Economic Development Incentives

The Opportunity

As Project Manager for Site Selection, you will lead private‑sector clients through every stage of the site selection process for investment and expansion. You will manage end‑to‑end site selection projects for global clients—partnering closely with Walbridge LLC’s real estate, design, and construction teams; coordinating with state and local economic development organizations; negotiating and securing economic development incentives; and driving projects to successful execution in support of the organization’s strategic growth objectives.

Location

Based in the Midwest, you will lead site selection efforts across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, work closely with our Site Selection Group based at our enterprise headquarters in Detroit, MI, while supporting national site selection and expansion projects for clients operating across multiple U.S. markets.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Lead Site Selection Projects: Coordinate and manage all phases of the site selection process for new facilities, relocations, and expansions across multiple states, including research, community assessments, comparative analyses, and site visits.
• Location & Market Analysis: Evaluate market conditions, demographics, infrastructure, logistics, labor availability, business and tax climates, regulatory environments, and energy costs to recommend optimal sites for client investment.
• Financial & Cost Modeling: Develop and analyze multi‑year operating cost models and one‑time capital cost comparisons across multiple site alternatives.
• Public‑Sector Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with economic development agencies, government officials, utility providers, and other stakeholders to identify and advance incentive opportunities.
• RFI & RFP Management: Prepare and issue Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs); analyze responses for project constructability and integrate findings into cross‑state cost models.
• Approvals & Public Process Coordination: Prepare for and coordinate public meetings, hearings, and approvals where projects and incentives are reviewed.
• Incentives Strategy & Applications: Draft and submit applications for economic development incentives, including tax abatements and exemptions, grants, workforce training assistance, infrastructure support, tax credits, and expedited permitting.
• Incentive Negotiation: Negotiate incentive packages with public‑sector partners to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and compliance with applicable regulations.
• Project Execution & Controls: Manage project schedules, budgets, and deliverables to ensure successful execution and realization of incentives.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Economics, Real Estate, Urban Planning, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in site selection, economic development, real estate, or incentives consulting.
• Strong analytical, research, and data interpretation skills.
• Experience negotiating with government agencies and knowledge of public–private partnership structures.
• Excellent project management, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast‐paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; GIS or site‐selection tools a plus.
• Ability to travel.

Key Competencies 

• Strategic thinking and strong decision‐making ability.
• Negotiation and persuasion skills.
• Relationship management expertise.
• Strong attention to detail and initiative.
• Ethical judgment and professionalism.