Economic development officer

Economic development officers get companies to set up businesses in an area to create new jobs, facilities and growth.


Typical Salary

£24,000 – £45,000

per year

Working Hours

37–39

hours per week

Career Area

Business, research and administrative professionals

View related courses

Day-to-day tasks

As an economic development officer, you could:

  • develop projects to support local business growth
  •  build partnerships with communities, business networks and local government
  •  bid for funding and manage budgets
  •  set up training schemes for local businesses and unemployed people
  •  advise local businesses and community groups
  •  promote the local area to attract new employers and increase tourism
  •  work on neighbourhood renewal projects
  •  organise business fairs and give presentations

Skills needed

  • the ability to work well with others
  • analytical thinking skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • persistence and determination
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • business management skills 
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • maths skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

How to get into this role

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

Career progression

With experience, you could:

  • become a senior officer or economic policy manager
  •  move into freelance consultancy
  •  work abroad with international development agencies