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Economic development officer

Alternative titles for this job include Economic regeneration officer, economic adviser

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

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£45,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings occasionally

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Economic development officer

You can get into this job through:

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

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma, degree or postgraduate qualification in one of the following subjects:

  • regeneration
  • planning and surveying
  • economics
  • marketing
  • business management
  • construction management
  • housing

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a professional economist degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as an assistant, researcher or administrator in an economic development unit.

You could then work your way up through training and promotion to become a development officer.

Direct Application

You could apply directly if you've got a background in bidding for funding, managing projects, controlling budgets or marketing.

You'll usually need experience from working in a related area like:

  • town planning
  • community development
  • regeneration
  • business advice
  • construction management

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You could become a member of the Institute of Economic Development to build your network and access training opportunities.

Further information

You can learn more about working in economic development through the Institute of Economic Development.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

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

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an Economic development officer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Business Studies

  • Provider: TURTON SCHOOL
  • Start date: 10 September 2025
  • Location: Bolton

A Level Business Studies

  • Provider: PARK HALL ACADEMY
  • Start date: 04 September 2025
  • Location: BIRMINGHAM

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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