R&D Tax Credit Program Manager

Full Job Description

Drive Innovation. Ensure Compliance. Support Iowa Businesses.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is seeking an R&D Tax Credit Program Manager to lead administration of the Iowa Research and Development Tax Credit Program, a key initiative supporting innovation and research investment across Iowa.

This role plays a critical part in ensuring the program is managed effectively, transparently, and in compliance with state and federal requirements.

This position works closely with the R&D Tax Credit Project Manager and is a strong fit for professionals with experience in auditing, finance, research & development, compliance, or program management who enjoy analytical work, stakeholder engagement, and public-sector impact.

About Us:

The Iowa Economic Development Authority is dedicated to making Iowa the choice for people and business by building partnerships, leveraging resources, and strengthening economic and community vitality.

IEDA administers several state and federal programs focused on business and community development to reach its goals of assisting individuals, communities, and businesses.

Whether it is an enterprise or start up, a rural community seeking to preserve its history and highlight its arts and culture, or a community recovering from a disaster, IEDA creates opportunities for Iowans to thrive.

About this Opportunity:

As the R&D Tax Credit Program Manager, you will provide expert guidance and play a critical role in shaping how this program is implemented and sustained over time. Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and support program management strategies to ensure effective and sustainable program operations including program planning, program data synthesis, and report preparation
• Ensure accountability and compliance of participating projects by conducting on-site project monitoring activities including document review, discovery, and project review
• Manage application intake, review, scoring, and disposition in accordance with program criteria
• Provide technical guidance and program interpretation to applicants, recipients, consultants, and internal stakeholders
• Advise program participants on issues of non-compliance and work toward resolution
• Coordinate program implementation efforts across internal stakeholders
• Represent the program at industry events and stakeholder meetings to support outreach

What We Offer:

• Impactful Work: Play a key role in shaping Iowa’s economic impact through business and product growth.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for attending conferences and workshops to promote programs and learn about their impact.
• Collaborative Environment: Work with a passionate team of professionals dedicated to making a difference and helping Iowa businesses flourish.

Ideal candidates will have:

• Strong program and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with financial, technical, or activity-based documentation review.
• Ability to travel within Iowa for on-site program and compliance activities.
• Dedication to uphold our Core Values

Innovate Together - We thrive on solving challenges through dynamic collaboration with our teams and partners.
Mission Driven - We place Iowans at the heart of everything we do.

New to the area or looking to relocate to Iowa? Visit ThisIsIowa.com to see how Iowa offers something for everyone- competitively low cost of living, bustling cities and neighborhoods, access to entertainment, opportunities for career growth and unrivaled access to outdoor adventures.

As an employee of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, you are a State of Iowa employee, and you are eligible to enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy vacation with accruals that rollover on a yearly basis, sick leave with no limits on accrual and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Great Benefits: Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options.
• Retirement Plan: IPERS Retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan.
• Flexibility: Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care).
• Life Insurance: Free Life Insurance.
• Support: Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Discount Programs.

The R&D Tax Credit Program Manager position is a non-merit, non-contract position that is classified by the State of Iowa as an Economic Development Specialist 3 and is exempt per FLSA regulations.

This is a non-merit position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority is an EEO/AA Employer

E-Verify and Right to Work
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification: 

1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in research, planning, economics, public relations, business, corporate finance, journalism or marketing, and experience equal to four years of full-time work in interpreting laws, rules and regulations, and/or securing compliance with them; or compiling and evaluating statistical, historical, economic, business, financial, or technical related program data. 

2) A total of eight years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Information

Travel, including overnight travel, may be required for positions in this class. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas.