Senior Director Cluster Leader

Job Description Summary

The Senior Director Cluster Leader’s (“Cluster Leader”) mission is to wake up every morning thinking about how to optimize the economic performance of their assigned Cluster. This individual will serve as the Cluster’s strategic architect and operational champion, working closely with public and private stakeholders, enterprise leaders, academic institutions, and workforce development partners to advance EKC’s mission. This includes orchestrating the regional ecosystem—acting as “air traffic control” for all cluster-related economic development activities to ensure clarity, alignment, focus, and accountability and maximize economic growth.

The Cluster Leader will analyze cluster data and work directly with enterprises and business in the Cluster to understand growth inhibitors. Then, working with EKC’s Pillar Leaders the Cluster Leader will develop and implement strategies that maximize innovation and commercialization, enterprise growth, and high impact, high opportunity jobs. As a trusted liaison between enterprises, the Cluster Brain Trust (CBT), and EKC Pillar teams, the Cluster Leader will ensure that customer voice and strategic imperatives are translated into high-impact programs and measurable results.

Job Description

Ownership

• Development and execution of a comprehensive Cluster and Enterprise growth strategy, including a regularly updated strategic plan.
• Accuracy and validity of enterprise and cluster-level data.
• Relationship management with all Enterprises, Gazelles, and Startups in the cluster.
• Representation of the “voice of the customer” to EKC leadership and partners.
• Authoring and publishing of semi-annual Cluster Profile, Cluster-specific Thought Docs, and weekly P3 Reports.

Key Responsibilities

Cluster Strategy & Leaders

• Lead the development of a forward-looking cluster vision and corresponding cluster engagement plan aligned with EKC’s Cylinder Model and Cluster Development Playbook.
• Serve as the chief storyteller and promoter of the cluster—creating a compelling cluster narrative and work with Pillar leader(s) to build brand awareness to attract talent, capital, and enterprise growth.
• Work with Cluster Operatives to convene and lead a Cluster Brain Trust (CBT) of enterprise executives and thought leaders to provide strategic guidance, align priorities, and co-design actionable programs.

Enterprise & Workforce Development

• Conduct regular client interviews with Enterprises, Gazelles, and Start-ups to understand business, capital, workforce needs, and factors inhibiting growth.
• Assess enterprise needs and design high-impact initiatives to support growth, mitigate risk, and retain operations in the region.
• Translate enterprise feedback and CBT direction into programs that enhance cluster effectiveness and innovation commercialization.

Collaboration & Integration

• Serve as the primary liaison for all stakeholders in the cluster, building trust-based relationships and ensuring alignment between enterprise, government, academic, and civic efforts.
• Support policy advocacy related to the cluster’s development.

Stakeholder & Public Representation

• Represent EKC at all relevant cluster-related events, conferences, and functions across the region.
• Act as a visible and respected voice for the cluster—building brand equity for the region as a national Center of Excellence.

Measurement & Impact

• Track and report key metrics such as the Regional Gross Enterprise Product (RGEP), Regional Enterprise Employment Index (REEI), startup density, and job creation within the cluster.
• Use the EKC Datasphere to inform strategies, analyze trends, and support data-driven decision-making
• Facilitate regular stakeholder meetings and ensure clarity and accountability across all initiatives.

General Responsibilities

• Analyze trends using internal and external data sources to identify risks and opportunities.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional integrity in all client interactions.
• Remain current on national and regional developments relevant to the cluster
• Provide support for and ensure active engagement of each of the Cluster Brain Trusts.
• Publish a semi-annual Cluster Profile.
• Respond to all requests from external and internal clients in a timely and professional manner.
• Comply with all company policies and proactively protect confidentiality of Client and company information.
• Develop weekly Progress, Problems, Plans (P3) report.

Expected Outcomes

• The cluster is nationally recognized as a Center of Excellence within three years.
• Enterprises, academic institutions, and government partners report high satisfaction and increased collaboration.
• Measurable increases in Cluster Gross Enterprise Product and Cluster Enterprise Employment Index year-over-year.

Key Metrics

• Cluster Gross Enterprise Product (CGEP) and trend.
• Cluster Enterprise Employment Index (CEEI) and trend.
• Startup density for cluster.
• Growth in Federal research dollars for the cluster.

Attributes

• Smart, creative, engaging
• Inquisitive, life-long learner
• Analytic, problem solver
• Personal accountability, trustworthy, and high-performance standards
• Action and results-oriented
• Polite, respectful and demonstrates good judgment when dealing with people
• Passion for creating value, delivering above and beyond what is asked

Skills and Abilities

• Collaborative leadership
• Strong business and business development acumen
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple tasks and projects
• Ability to work in a fast-pace, deadline driven environment
• Clear, concise verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Strong time management and organizational skills, including planning, goal setting, delegation, organizing, scheduling, and prioritizing
• Ability to energize a network of people to accomplish goals and objective
• Ability to put team success above personal preference
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours as needed
• BA in business related program or equivalent education and/or experience
• Strong, Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills (MS Teams and MS Project experience a plus)