Careers with the Beaufort County EDC
Open Positions:
Community & Economic Development Specialist
Location: Beaufort County, South Carolina
Job Type: Full-Time
Position Summary
The Community & Economic Development Specialist supports the Executive Director in implementing the BCEDC’s economic development programs and priorities.
The position will work with existing businesses, prospective businesses, site selection consultants, property owners, developers, local governments, state and regional economic development organizations, educational institutions, chambers of commerce, utilities, and other community partners.
The Specialist will be expected to learn the organization’s programs, systems, sites,
target industries, partners, and prospects and become a reliable point of contact for
day-to-day economic development activities.
This position requires someone who can move comfortably between research and
analysis, business outreach, project coordination, marketing, administrative work, and direct interaction with business and community leaders.
How to Apply
To apply, submit a cover letter and résumé for consideration. The cover letter should describe your interest in the position, relevant experience, and ability to support community and economic development work in Beaufort County.
Application materials should be sent to:
Ms. Kelli Brunson, Senior Project Manager
kbrunson@thrivebeaufort.org
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position will remain open until filled. Candidates selected for further consideration may be asked to provide references, writing samples, or additional information.
All inquiries and application materials will be handled confidentially to the extent permitted
by law.
If you have any other questions or would like to send us your resume so we can keep it on file in case any other openings arise, please send us an email at info@thrivebeaufort.org.
Proud Member of the Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance
Meet the BCEDC Team
John O'Toole
Executive Director
John A. O’Toole is the Executive Director of the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation. John is responsible for business, retention, expansion and attraction to Beaufort County which includes Bluffton, Beaufort, Port Royal and Hilton Head Island. In addition to these functions John facilitates public policy discussion in the areas of best practices in land use and workforce development. Prior to joining the BCEDC John worked for Eversource Energy in Connecticut for 18 years. In that function John supported the Eversource’s efforts in the community, economic policy, business and community development and served as the company’s chief liaison to key state and regional economic development organizations.
John served three terms as the chief elected official of Seymour, Connecticut. In that function John lead revitalization efforts in downtown, aggressive efforts to market and fill the town’s industrial park, as well as regional efforts to address brownfields and stimulate economic development. John received his bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, his master’s in business administration from the University of New Haven and has been designated a Certified Economic Developer by the International Economic Development Council.
Kelli Brunson
Senior Project Manager
Kelli Brunson is the Senior Project Manager for the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation, where she focuses on business recruitment and fostering economic growth in the region. She leads efforts to attract new investment, create quality jobs, and strengthen Beaufort County’s competitive position.
Originally from Manning, S.C., Kelli attended the University of South Carolina Beaufort and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. Following graduation, she joined the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, where she served for seven years as Research and Digital Marketing Coordinator and later as Director of Programs & Events. She is a graduate of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber’s Leadership Program (class of 2018) and earned her master’s degree in education in 2022 from the University of Georgia in Learning, Leadership, and Organization Development.
In 2024, Kelli graduated from both the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management (June) and the South Carolina Economic Developer’s Institute (November).