At Moffitt Cancer Center, we strive to be the leader in understanding the complexity of cancer and applying these insights to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. Our diverse team of over 9,000 are dedicated to serving our patients and creating a workspace where every individual is recognized and appreciated. For this reason, Moffitt has been recognized on the 2023 Forbes list of America’s Best Large Employers and America’s Best Employers for Women, Computerworld magazine’s list of 100 Best Places to Work in Information Technology, DiversityInc Top Hospitals & Health Systems and continually named one of the Tampa Bay Time’s Top Workplace. Additionally, Moffitt is proud to have earned the prestigious Magnet® designation in recognition of its nursing excellence. Moffitt is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida, and the leading cancer hospital in both Florida and the Southeast. We are a top 10 nationally ranked cancer center by Newsweek and have been nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report since 1999.
Working at Moffitt is both a career and a mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. Join our committed team and help shape the future we envision.

Summary

Job Summary

The Director of Economic Development leads Speros’ private sector engagement strategy, driving initiatives that accelerate sustainable economic growth, cultivate high-impact partnerships, and enhance the company’s role in regional and community development. This role oversees the full lifecycle of tenant engagement—recruitment, retention, and expansion—while serving as the strategic connector across existing tenants, emerging opportunities, aligned partners, and Moffitt-affiliated programs. By catalyzing investment and supporting vibrant commercialization, the Director fuels Speros’ vision of transformative innovation and growth.

Job Components

Business Recruitment & Pipeline Development

Build and maintain a high-value pipeline of prospective tenants aligned with Speros’s strategic mission. Conduct proactive outreach to biotech, med-tech, and life science firms; attend industry conferences and leverage partner networks to attract new tenant opportunities. Lead market analysis and site selection support for prospects, including due diligence and financial incentive packaging.

Tenant Engagement & Retention

Serve as primary tenant liaison, delivering concierge-level account management: troubleshoot facility/program needs, surface opportunities for expansion, and ensure ongoing tenant satisfaction. Coordinate with internal stakeholders (space planning, commercialization, Moffitt programs) to optimize tenant outcomes and long-term engagement.

Strategic Partnership & Ecosystem Development

Actively collaborate with FloridaCommerce, BioFlorida, Pasco EDC, regional EDOs, and site location consultants to generate and qualify leads. Represent Speros in local, state, and national economic development forums and advocacy efforts. Develop joint initiatives (e.g., site tours, investment missions) with partners to elevate Speros’s visibility.

Integration with Moffitt Programs

Partner closely with Moffitt teams to align incubation/acceleration, workforce development, and clinical research initiatives with tenant needs. Drive commercial-scale outcomes for startups by designing joint programs, demo days, and accelerator track partnerships.

Economic Strategy & Metrics

Support the creation and execution of Speros’s economic development strategy, including forecasting tenant targets, investment metrics, and job creation goals. Cluster Development to include organizing and leading thematic clusters or sector groups (e.g., med-tech, precision oncology), coordinating joint programming and collective recruitment. Research & Analysis Leadership, including oversight of market scans, competitive assessments, and ROI analyses for tenants and programming. Track and report on KPIs: pipeline growth, deal velocity, capital investment, job creation, tenant satisfaction, and retention rates.

Marketing, Events & Communications

Develop compelling marketing collateral, presentations, and web content to support investment and recruitment efforts. Plan and host on-site and off-site events—such as tenant networking breakfasts, partner roundtables, industry site visits, and investor demos.

Policy, Incentives & Due Diligence

Manage local, state, federal incentive programs; support tenants in incentive applications, compliance tracking, and reporting. Act as the internal expert on relevant policy, permitting, zoning, and economic incentive matters.

Education

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Economic Development, Public Admin, Science or similar

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree in Business, Economic Development, Public Admin, Science or similar

Experience/Skills/Specialized Training

Minimum Experience Required:

The position requires a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 10 years of experience in economic development, corporate site selection, or biotech/business development - experience on R&D or life science campuses highly valued. Proven track record driving tenant recruitment or site investment; strong familiarity with biotech / life science sectors. Excellent relationship builder—comfortable engaging C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, government officials, and real estate partners. Highly organized, entrepreneurial, with strong analytical rigor and outcome orientation. Experience managing deal flow pipelines, CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), and high-stakes negotiations. Willingness to travel regionally and attend relevant industry events.