Vice President – Economic Development Job Description

Vice President ? Economic Development

Job Description

Job Classification:

Exempt, Full-time

Work Schedule:

Monday ? Friday; frequent evening and weekend hours. 35% travel required.

Reporting Relationship: President/CEO ? Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce/GO

Topeka

Primary Accountability:

The Vice President ? Economic Development is a member of the senior staff and provides vision, leadership, direction and management oversight for the GO Topeka Economic Development Department. With the President/CEO, the Vice President is responsible for staffing, leading and managing a professional economic development team in the successful implementation of annual strategic plans for prospect development, new business recruitment, existing business retention and expansion, workforce development, entrepreneurial development, marketing and research.

Major Duties:

? Provide leadership, direction, management, and support to staff of GO Topeka economic development program and assist with the development of high impact initiatives to benefit the community.

? Facilitate the development of a strategic economic development plan for GO Topeka that includes vision, goals and objectives. Determine initiatives for attraction, retention and expansion, entrepreneurial development, minority and women business development, workforce readiness, and research focus areas.

? In collaboration with program Vice Presidents, develop and present the annual budget to the GO Topeka/Chamber Board of Directors and the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) for approval.

? Generate quarterly reports to JEDO and monthly reports and/or updates to the GO Topeka Board of Directors.

? Monitor expenditures of GO Topeka to meet budget expectations. ? Promote the community to site consultants and targeted interests. Represent GO

Topeka at public, social and business functions. Provide testimony and information to civic and community organizations on areas that impact the initiatives of GO Topeka. ? Coordinate all national and international marketing materials and programs that promote the community. Review and approve individual programs to ensure consistency in message and image. ? Participate in community organizations and collaborate with partners that impact the goals and initiatives of GO Topeka. Such organizations include, but are not limited to, Kansas City Area Development Council, Kansas City SmartPort, Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Research Nexus. ? Analyze trends and conditions that will impact GO Topeka and determine necessary strategic modifications to take advantage of those trends and conditions. Identify areas of opportunity and weakness to improve the competitiveness of the community. ? Direct the development, management and marketing of Central Crossing and Kanza Fire Commerce Parks.

Vice President ? Economic Development June 2013

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Vice President ? Economic Development

Job Description

? Develop and sustain quality, trusting relationships with the leadership of prospective companies, national and international site selectors and commercial and industrial realtors.

? Participate in long-range planning, development of marketing strategies, and recommend aggressive goals for business attraction assistance efforts.

? Develop and implement an effective sales strategy while remaining an active component of that strategy.

? Accountable for attraction metrics identified as part of the GO Topeka Economic Partnership program and support other program metrics as appropriate.

? Represent the Chamber/GO Topeka administration to various private enterprises and public agencies as it relates to the attraction activities.

? Evaluate programs to ensure available resources of the area meet the needs of potential business development.

? Analyze the feasibility of proposed projects including financial and economic impact analysis. Research and compile demographic and economic data in response to inquiries from prospective businesses

? Prepare development proposals to private development companies and businesses. ? Coordinate with various businesses, agencies, community organizations, and City and

County departments to conduct presentations and site tours for the purposes of identifying, attracting and promoting the City and County to new businesses and industries. ? Work closely with regional economic development organizations and workforce providers in promoting the City and County. ? Represent GO Topeka in a professional and diplomatic manner at all times. ? Comply with the policies of GO Topeka Economic Partnership and Ethics Policy of the International Economic Development Council. ? Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

? Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required; degree in marketing, business, or a related discipline preferred.

? Five years experience in economic development, job and investment attraction or substantial experience within business and industry or as a marketing professional.

? A combination of education and proven Economic Development experience may be considered by GO Topeka in lieu of a degree.

? Certification as an economic development professional (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council is highly preferred.

? Proficient knowledge in business planning and promotion, market analysis, relevant municipal legislation and financial management.

? Strong, effective sales background with proven results. ? Understanding of the changing dynamics of business and what is required to attract

businesses to a community in such an environment. ? Ability to gather large amounts of data, analyze, evaluate and disseminate in a succinct

and effective manner. Demonstrated reporting, data analysis and research skills. ? Strong written and verbal communication skills; the ability to build and sustain

relationships with targeted industry executives, site selectors, and industrial real estate professionals.

Vice President ? Economic Development June 2013

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Vice President ? Economic Development

Job Description

? Ability to present accurate work with a strong attention to detail in a high pressure, fastpaced environment while being held accountable for overall results.

? Creative and strategic-thinking abilities. ? Strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple projects. ? Professional attitude and the ability to maintain confidentiality. ? Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member. ? Intermediate to advanced computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint

and various databases essential to analyze targets. ? Frequent regional, national and international travel required (35%), including overnight

travel; valid driver's license and passport required.

Physical Demands:

? Ability to sit for extended periods of time. ? Ability to read computer screens and mail, talk on the phone. ? Ability to unpack and move supplies up to 50 lbs. ? Ability to work some evenings and weekends and attend events required.

Work Environment:

? Professional and deadline-oriented environment in an office setting. ? Interaction with staff and customers.

Additional Duties:

Additional duties and responsibilities may be added to this job description at any time. The job description does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed by the employee(s) holding this position. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related responsibilities as requested by their supervisor.

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