Economic Development Manager

CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years.
Our Vision:
Our vision is to become the most admired utility in the United States through the execution of our long-term growth strategy. We have an unwavering commitment to safely and reliably deliver electricity and natural gas to millions of people.

Our Commitment:
CenterPoint Energy is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where business results are achieved through the skills, abilities and talents of our diverse workforce.

At CenterPoint Energy, individuals are respected for their contributions toward our company objectives. We strive for an inclusive work environment across all levels that is reflective of the available workforce in the communities we serve.

Job Summary
Reporting to the Director of Energy Solutions and Business Development, this position will oversee a geographical territory leading economic development activities intended to secure revenue/margin growth opportunities and improve the economic vitality of CenterPoint Energy's service territory. This position will be instrumental in developing and fostering external relationships with an assortment of economic development organizations and local, regional, and state permitting entities to ensure CenterPoint Energy is well represented and viewed as the preferred energy and utility partner.

Essential Functions

• Serves as the economic development single point of contact for assigned Local Economic Development Organizations (LEDOs), Regional Economic Development Organizations (REDOs), and State Economic Development Organizations (SEDOs) within CenterPoint Energy's Indiana service territory.
• Respond to site selection RFP's, providing utility specific data and infrastructure information.
• Coordinates and leads activities related to providing energy service; assisting in the development of proposals and the negotiation of contracts.
• Coordinates and leads all utility specific site visits through a clear and organized agenda and preparing leadership for roles and expectations during the visits
• Monitors competitive activity by other utilities in the areas of economic development and develops quarterly newsletters for CNP leadership on all aspects of economic development activity in a geographically assigned territory.
• Partners with key internal and external stakeholders to provide detailed and timely responses to RFI's, supporting comprehensive and strategic planning projects across CenterPoint Energy's Indiana service territory.
• Assists Energy Solutions leadership as a point of contact for economic development opportunities and project reporting functions; leading and participating in prospective client meetings and coordinating site visits with key project stakeholders.
• Identify and assesses site development opportunities within CenterPoint Energy's territory with utility service potential.
• Collaborate with the Utility Projects and Reporting Manger in addition to CNP engineering teams to provide cost estimates, timelines and feasibility analysis for prospective development
• Develops and maintains resource materials, brochures and presentations reflecting current economic trends and industry analysis, presenting market information and economic data to Energy Solutions leaders, key business partners, and economic development contacts in a timely manner.
• Responsible for economic development customer acquisition and demonstrates achievement of departmental goals and objectives through detailed project tracking and reporting.
• Monitors competitive activity by other utilities in the areas of economic development, collaborating with management to identify and propose new and innovative opportunities to attract customer's to CenterPoint Energy's service territory.
• Build strong working relationships with the additional external stakeholders of an economic development project that can help promote collaboration of timely execution (i.e. water/sewer, government permitting agency, telecom, local industrial developers)
• Supports testimony for CenterPoint Energy's base rate cases and other regulatory filings related to economic development.
• Maintains a high level of visibility in the economic development community by staying actively engaged through various communication channels and fulfilling CenterPoint Energy board level commitments.
• Represents CenterPoint Energy at various industry conferences, national trade shows, and aids in development and maintenance of marketing materials to attract potential customers to the region.
• Partners with internal Key Accounts Managers and other stakeholders as necessary to drive project results and support CenterPoint Energy's retention and expansion efforts.
• Monitors trends in industrial growth, regional and state development, and energy demand to inform internal utility planning.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to structure and present collaborative incentive opportunities
• Use tools like GIS mapping, internal CRM solutions, google earth, etc. to enhance the reporting and tracking of economic development projects and provide visual organization to the reporting.
• Improves the customer experience by onboarding customers and connecting them with programs and services and appropriate points of contacts, while helping with issues resolution, as needed.

Basic Qualifications
Education:

• Requires a bachelor's degree in Business (Economics, Marketing, Business, Public Relations, or related field).

Experience

• 8 years of experience in Economic and/or Community Development, Business Development or closely related field
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills, ability to interact with all levels of customers and employees.
• Project management and contract negotiation skills
• Ability to present analysis to leadership

Preferred

• Master's Degree in Economic Development, Business, Public Administration or related field
• Experience working in the electric and gas utility industry in a capacity that deals with economic development, account/project management, local governmental agencies, customer service, community relations, utility planning and/or public policy.

We want you to know
Being a part of the CenterPoint Energy team is more than a career alone. It's an opportunity to make a positive impact. You will be an integral part of enabling everyday life and the pursuit of possibilities for the customers we serve and the communities we share. The vital services we provide are at the core of making our world work, and by sharing your energy with us, we'll create a better tomorrow together.

What We Bring To You

• Competitive pay
• Paid training
• Benefits eligibility begins on your first day
• Transit subsidies
• Flexible work schedule, paid holidays and paid time off
• Access to discounts at fitness clubs and an on-site wellness center at our headquarters in Houston
• Professional growth and development programs including tuition reimbursement
• 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match dollar-for-dollar up to 6% and a company contribution of 3% regardless of your contribution

Job Type:
Full Time

Posting Start Date:
10/17/2025

Posting End Date:
10/31/2025

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR

• 60-1.4(a), a), and a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.