What is the role of a development officer ?

The main role of a development manager is to promote the economic growth of an area of varying size. He/she designs and manages projects in line with the overall strategy of an organization or company. They are responsible for identifying opportunities, drawing up action plans and monitoring results.

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What is a development manager ?

An economic development officer, sometimes called an economic development officer, contributes first and foremost to the economic development of a region by facilitating the conditions for companies to locate there.

Their role is first and foremost to define a strategy by identifying the economic needs of the economic area for which they are responsible, which can be a town, a group of towns or a region. This may involve revitalizing an industrial zone, revitalizing a town center by attracting new businesses, or developing tourist activities.

Its functions are as much economic as they are social, as its actions are designed to create jobs and improve the quality of life in the region.

The economic development officer's mission unfolds in several stages:

• 1. As a first step, the economic development officer locates available sites that can meet the needs identified.
• 2. He then identifies potential entrepreneurs and investors.
• 3. He contacts them and draws up an action plan detailing the advantages of setting up in the area, presenting the public and private aid schemes available to them.

What does a development manager do ?

The tasks of a development manager are extremely varied, especially when working for a local authority (which is most often the case). The development manager acts as a link between all the economic players involved in a project.

• He/she visits sites and identifies development opportunities, carrying out sector-specific economic diagnostics to inform the decisions of the various stakeholders.
• He/she carries out economic intelligence, taking into account the specific features of the economic and social environment of his/her region, as well as real estate and land development projects.
• He/she leads training modules and working groups for target companies and economic players in his/her region, in order to create strategic partnerships.
• He/she accompanies companies through all stages of project development.

The development manager also assists elected representatives in their thinking and strategic choices in order to implement projects that enhance the attractiveness of the area: road construction, renewable energy installations (solar energy, wind power, etc.), pedestrian or cycling zones, real estate programs, etc.

What qualities are needed to become a development manager ?

A student aspiring to become a business development manager should preferably follow a course of study geared towards economics and management, to learn to master multiple skills such as marketing, business management and taxation. Many higher education courses can lead to this profession, but it is preferable to obtain a diploma with a minimum of 5 years of higher education, and to opt for a Master's degree more specialized in entrepreneurship. This will enable students to acquire the fundamentals of management, learn how to assess the feasibility of a project and implement the necessary actions to develop it.

In addition to technical skills, the economic development manager needs to master a number of "soft skills": good listening skills, real interpersonal skills, a pragmatic mindset, strong synthesis and analysis skills, resistance to stress and the ability to lead groups and run meetings.

How much does a development manager earn ?

The salary of a development manager in France generally varies between €30,000 and €45,000 gross per year, with an average of around €35,000 gross per year, depending on experience and sector of activity. Beginners can expect to earn around €2,500 gross per month, while more experienced profiles or those working in specific sectors such as sustainable development or sales can achieve higher levels (source: Talent.com).

These figures may vary according to location, company size and specific job responsibilities.

To find out more :

Discover the importance of Responsable Grands Comptes, which involves managing strategic relationships with major customers, often crucial to a company's sales. The training offered by the school aims to develop the key skills needed for this profession, such as communication, project management and strategic planning, while offering opportunities for professional integration and specialization adapted to this demanding field. In addition, here are a few tips on how to develop your customer portfolio.