Lakeshore Advantage is a non-profit organization catalyzing economic growth in West Michigan. Our team is guided by a set of unique core values that drive our culture:
· Always Evolving
· CEO of Our Own Responsibilities
· Come to the Rescue
· Do the Right Thing
· Lead the Standing Ovation
These values are the foundation around which we conduct our everyday work and define the expectations of our team.
Strategic Business Attraction & Project Management
· Manage inbound and outbound business attraction leads and projects from initial inquiry through project conclusion.
· Lead and coordinate Request for Proposal (RFP) responses, including data gathering, narrative development, partner coordination, and timeline management.
· Maintain accurate project documentation, data, and outcomes in alignment with confidentiality standards and internal systems.
Site Visits & Project Coordination
· Coordinate and execute site visits for prospective companies, site selection consultants, and partners, including agendas, logistics, and follow‑up.
· Work closely with local units of government, utilities, property owners, and regional partners to ensure timely, accurate, and competitive project information.
· Support professional project management standards throughout confidential attraction efforts.
Industrial Real Estate & Shovel‑Ready Site Expertise
· Maintain and analyze the regional inventory of industrial real estate and shovel‑ready sites.
· Serve as a regional subject matter expert on site availability, infrastructure readiness, and competitive positioning.
· Coordinate with partners to support improvements to site readiness and data quality.
External Outreach & Relationship Development
· Build and maintain strong relationships with site selection consultants and commercial real estate professionals.
· Support proactive outreach efforts, including trade shows, site selector engagement, and targeted relationship development.
· Partner with internal teams to support regional marketing and positioning strategies.
Collaboration & Strategic Growth Support
· Work closely with the Director of Business Retention & Attraction and the SVP of Strategic Growth to align attraction activity with organizational priorities.
· Contribute to industry cluster efforts, major projects, and cross‑functional strategic initiatives, as needed.
Data & Continuous Improvement
· Track attraction activity, outcomes, and key metrics to support reporting and impact storytelling.
· Identify trends, gaps, and opportunities to strengthen attraction strategies, tools, and processes.
Qualifications & Experience
· Bachelor’s degree in economic development, business, planning, public administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
· 3+ years experience in economic development, business attraction, site selection, commercial real estate, sales, or a related field preferred.
· Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects with strong attention to detail and deadlines.
· Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
· Comfort working with data, technical information, and CRM or project tracking systems.
Preferred Skills
· Familiarity with industrial real estate markets and site selection considerations.
· Experience working with local units of government, utilities, and regional partners.
· Ability to synthesize data into clear, compelling narratives for external audiences.
· Experience supporting or attending trade shows and professional conferences.
Hours & Location
Full-time, 40 hours per week
In-person, Holland, MI
Some evenings and early mornings required.
Supervisor: Director of Business Retention & Attraction
Benefits We Offer
· 160 hours of paid time off, 10 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday
· 401k 3% contribution up to 7% match
· Medical, dental, and vision healthcare for full-time employees
· Employee Assistance Program
· Most benefits begin day one