Business Growth Specialist

Job Description: Business Growth Specialist
Position Title: Business Growth Specialist
Location: Hybrid (Remote/Boyne City, MI)
Organization: Northern Lakes Economic Alliance
Reports To: Director of Business Growth
Direct Reports: No direct reports 
Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt
Posted: 3/17/26

About Us:
Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) is a 501(c)(3) regional economic development 
organization with a four-county service area: Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet 
counties. Our mission is to drive economic resiliency by ensuring the resources, infrastructure, 
and policies exist to fuel business growth and community prosperity.

Position Summary:
The Business Growth Specialist plays a critical role in strengthening Northern Michigan’s 
business community by driving NLEA’s internal technical and development processes and
solutions that help businesses thrive. This position will support the Director of Business Growth 
with a primary focus on leading NLEA clients through financial incentive programs to help them 
expand, acquire equipment and advanced automation, and meet workforce challenges in 
innovative ways tailored to the needs of the region. The ideal candidate is passionate about 
supporting businesses, driven to succeed, and committed to teamwork and high-quality work.

Key Responsibilities:

Business Funding Assistance

• Master existing funding resources with support from NLEA staff and partners
• Identify and monitor funding opportunities and incentives to support business needs 
and growth
• Craft compelling proposals on behalf of NLEA and its clients to secure financing and 
funding that furthers their goals for growth, innovation, workforce, and other needs 
• Support and manage grant and loan applicants through application and approval 
processes
• Assist management of service and product deliverables
Support Business Retention, Expansion, and Attraction initiatives
• Help establish and manage client relationships.
• Coordinate business site visits to understand businesses’ operational needs, workforce 
challenges, and expansion opportunities.
• Support NLEA’s regional economic development initiatives including advancing 
investment-friendly policies, entrepreneurship programming, talent retention and 
attraction solutions, and employer gatherings.

Reporting and Project Management

• Utilize project management tools (e.g., Asana) to ensure efficient and effective internal 
communication and execution of NLEA services to businesses. 
• Help establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the success of 
business development initiatives and develop progress reports to the organization’s 
leadership.
• Support the Director of Business Growth in achieving quarterly and annual program 
targets to advance NLEA’s strategic plan and fee-for-service revenue goals. 
• Maintain a confidential database (e.g., Salesforce) of employer engagement and 
business projects.
• Maintain confidentiality of all client projects. 

Collaboration and Other Duties

• Maintain open communication, collaborate with, and support other NLEA staff across 
program areas to ensure best results for clients and partners.
• Follow workflow processes with precision while seeking process improvements as 
opportunities permit.
• This position may include additional duties as assigned by the Director of Business 
Growth or President/CEO.
• Be a positive brand ambassador upholding NLEA’s values and commitment to excellence
in all interactions. 

Qualifications:

• Alignment with organizational values: Mission-Driven, Forward-Thinking and Acting; 
Visible, Good Partner, Accountable, Resourceful, Team-Oriented, Professional, Expert. 
• 2 years of relevant professional experience and/or education (e.g., banking and lending, 
business development). 
• Passion for supporting team success and growth;
• Professional writing ability and a clear and courteous communication style when 
working with various audiences;
• Excellent organizational skills – a passion for precision;
• Strong research and project management skills;
• Excellent attention to detail, meeting tight deadlines, and working well under pressure 
while maintaining a customer-service oriented attitude;
• Strong interpersonal skills that embody collaboration and a team-oriented approach
• Willingness to ask questions and share ideas;
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel domestically for meetings and events, and 
work evenings and weekends. 

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift, carry, and move items up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand, sit, and walk frequently.
• Ability to balance, stoop, bend, and twist.
• Ability to use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms frequently.
• Ability to adjust focus and have close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth 
perception (with or without corrective lenses).

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonus opportunities
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Wellness stipend
• Retirement 
• Generous paid time off
• Flexible, hybrid work environment
• Professional development opportunities
• Collaborative, mission-focused team environment
• Opportunity to shape the economic future of the region 

How to Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to 
careers@thenlea.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with the application 
period closing Monday, April 6, 2026.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: 

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the physical demands 
and each essential function of this position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable 
accommodation. Regular and dependable attendance for work (excluding excused absences and 
periods of approved leave) is an essential function of the job and must be maintained to be 
successful. Reasonable accommodations that do not cause undue hardship or direct threat may 
be provided to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform essential functions. 
Employees who wish to request an accommodation or assistance are responsible for notifying 
the NLEA President of their request and engaging in interactive communication with the NLEA to 
determine available options.

Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) is an equal opportunity employer and does not 
discriminate in employment on the basis of: race and traits historically associated with race (like 
hair texture and protective hairstyles); color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; 
pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; marital status; sexual orientation; 
gender identity or expression; disability; political affiliation; citizenship status; uniform 
servicemember status; height; weight; or any other protected class under applicable federal, state or local law.