Vice President, Business Development

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy.

The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: recruit, grow, create – recruit out-of-state companies to expand their operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to grow their business in Arizona and beyond; and partner with entrepreneurs and companies large and small to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Vice President of Business Development leads strategic outreach and client engagement efforts to drive job creation and capital investment across Arizona. This role is responsible for identifying, pursuing, and securing business expansion and relocation opportunities within targeted industry sectors aligned with ACA's strategic priorities. Serving as a senior external representative of the organization, the Vice President manages the full business development lifecycle—from lead generation through deal closure—while collaborating with internal teams and statewide partners to deliver competitive, data-driven solutions to prospective clients. This is a hybrid position based in Phoenix, AZ; qualified candidates must reside in the Phoenix metro area. Base compensation for this role is between $100k—$110k, depending on experience.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and execute a proactive business development strategy for assigned industry sectors (minimum of two), including targeted lead generation and pipeline development.
• Maintain ongoing engagement with key Arizona-based employers, including quarterly outreach to major in-state companies to support retention and expansion efforts.
• Lead end-to-end client/project management through the site selection and decision-making process, ensuring a seamless and high-quality client experience.
• Analyze and present competitive state and local value propositions, site options, and workforce solutions tailored to client needs.
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with local communities, economic development organizations, utilities, and educational institutions to support project success.
• Deliver compelling, data-driven presentations that clearly articulate Arizona's competitive advantages ("Why Arizona") to executive-level decision-makers.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to negotiate and close deals.
• Partner with internal Research and Marketing teams to inform strategy, support lead generation, and enhance market intelligence and outreach efforts.
• Maintain current knowledge of Arizona's economic landscape, industry trends, and competitor markets.
• Track and manage all prospect activity, client interactions, and project updates within Salesforce (or similar CRM).
• Represent ACA at industry events, trade shows, and client meetings; travel as needed, including occasional evenings and weekends.
  
  

COMPETENCY, EDUCATIONAL & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, public administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in business development, economic development, client relationship management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects from initiation through completion.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain high-level relationships, including with C-suite executives and public/private sector partners.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate business needs into actionable solutions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to deliver clear, persuasive messaging across multiple formats and audiences.
• High level of organization and accountability, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
  
  

HIGHLY PREFERRED SKILLS, ABILITIES & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in economic development, site selection, or working with public-private partnerships.
• Familiarity with Arizona's targeted industry sectors and regional economic drivers.
• Experience developing or pitching incentive packages and workforce solutions.
• Established network within industry, site selector, or economic development communities.
• Relationship-driven leadership with strong influencing skills.
• Strategic and analytical mindset with a results-oriented approach.
• Executive presence and ability to engage senior decision-makers.
• Adaptability and comfort operating in ambiguous or evolving environments.
• Collaborative, team-oriented approach with strong stakeholder awareness.