Northeast Florida Regional Director

Organizational Overview

As a statewide, industry-led not-for-profit partnership, FloridaMakes strengthens and advances Florida’s manufacturing economy by fostering the development of a world-class manufacturing workforce, accelerating the deployment and use of state-of-the-market technology, and growing the value contribution and resilience of the state’s supply system to high-value, high-trade sectors, both domestically and internationally. In addition, FloridaMakes coordinates with strategic industry, academic, and government partners to increase the number and share of high-value, high-trade industries throughout the state.

FloridaMakes operates principally through a network of independent industry associations and academic institutions, as well as other economic development affiliates throughout the state, and is governed by a board that reflects that composition. As an independent, not-for-profit, FloridaMakes is primarily funded through a combination of competitively awarded government opportunities as well as by industry through fees-for-services.

FloridaMakes operates the state’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) under a cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE). FloridaMakes delivers technical and network services to manufacturers through a regional hub model.

General Description

The Northeast Florida Director is responsible for the operational and programmatic performance of the Northeast Regional Hub. This role strengthens the region’s market position and engagement by developing and delivering value-added services for manufacturers. The Director connects manufacturers with resources, programs, and services that enhance competitiveness, drive innovation, and build workforce capabilities. In addition, the Director increases awareness of manufacturing resources, fosters partnerships with manufacturers, industry stakeholders, educational institutions, and economic development partners, and promotes a collaborative manufacturing ecosystem through active participation in local initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities

Regional Hub Management

• Manage the regional performance for the assigned region, including the regional scorecard, strategic relationships in the manufacturing ecosystem and any delivery partners that are tethered to that region.
• Identify, propose and capture client opportunities for improvement that include consulting engagements for third-party delivery.
• Create success stories based on high-impact projects with manufacturing clients.
• Conduct joint strategic planning with key stakeholders to grow and expand the region’s market penetration and value proposition in a manner that supports the objectives and the needs of the region’s manufacturing businesses.
• Represent the organization at regional events, conferences, and networking opportunities to promote services, build brand awareness, and identify potential partnerships.

Business and Program Development

• Build relationships within the manufacturing, business, and education communities to enhance and promote manufacturing services and ensure a community presence.
• Develop and implement regional manufacturing events and drive participation.
• Cultivate and generate leads among regional manufacturing firms for assessment of company needs and to capture all client training and consulting engagements.
• Contribute to achieving the broader mission of FloridaMakes within the region by supporting and promoting its programs for manufacturers and the manufacturing ecosystem. Actively participate in and contribute to the development of the FloridaMakes Network, including contribution of best practices, participation in virtual and/or in person meetings, working groups/task forces, branding and advocacy efforts.
• Ensure accurate tracking of activities and impact by recording all activity in Salesforce Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
• Participate in, either through attendance or as a presenter, industry functions and events.
• Develop and initiate a regional Manufacturer of the Year Awards Program that results in a detailed business assessment, driving continuous improvement actions and positive operational and financial impact to the companies participating in the program.

Sales and Service Delivery

• Develop customer relationships within the defined territory to ensure the sales and business development growth of the Regional Hub and deliver value to manufacturers.
• Responsible for project management for all assigned client projects.
• Follow established engagement cycle and all sales policies & procedures.
• Establish sales pipeline to ensure sales goals of bookings/billings/retained margins are achieved on a monthly/quarterly/annual basis.
• Conduct on-site business assessments of manufacturers.
• Completion of reporting requirements to measure and manage regional goal achievement.
• Oversee, as the principal account manager, the execution, performance, and delivery of regional third-party client training and consulting contracts, including follow-up client satisfaction and performance surveys.

Operational and Administrative Leadership

• Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization. Work with the leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external opportunities and solutions; and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
• Contribute to the overall management of the organization by supporting the overall design, management, and oversight of the organization including the health and welfare of human, financial and capital assets, the propriety of the organization’s policies and procedures, the successful formulation and execution of the organization’s operating plans and strategy.
• Represent the organization and its interests at various events, conferences, meetings and other manufacturing and economic development related programs and forums at the local, state and national levels.

Training and Development

• Regularly participate in industry events and professional development opportunities to stay informed about industry trends, benchmarking practices, and emerging service opportunities within the MEP network and across the broader ecosystem of Florida and US manufacturing.

The above items reflect the general duties and responsibilities necessary to describe the principal functions of the job, as identified, and shall not be considered an exhaustive list of job responsibilities which may be inherent in the job. Responsibilities are subject to change.

Location/Travel

This position is located in the Northeast Region of Florida. This position requires extensive travel within this region, and occasional statewide travel.

Work Environment

The employee uses computer and telephone equipment and will have extensive travel driving his/her vehicle. The employee may be required to staff a trade show booth and conduct or participate in plant tours. The employee may be subject to low to moderate noise levels during plant tours, and may be, infrequently, exposed to fumes or airborne particles during these tours.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Organization

This position reports to the Vice President of Client Engagement at FloridaMakes and may have supervisory responsibility.

Education and Experience

The ideal candidate should have an advanced degree or seven or more years of related experience in Business Development, Manufacturing, or Operations Management.

Essential Skills/Attributes

1. Possesses the skills and implements the functions of a leader, including a strong sense of accountability, integrity, and ability to handle highly visible responsibilities.
2. Models behavior, develops people, and builds teams.
3. Manages continuity, change and transition; knows how to influence and enable others.
4. Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to effectively present and execute innovative ideas. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Outstanding grammar and proofreading skills.
5. Guided by exceptional decision-making skills, discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
6. Ability to work independently, as well as part of a high-performing team.
7. Ability to effectively present information and respond to high level inquiries from managers, customers, partners, board members, and other stakeholders.
8. Strong office technology skills, including the ability to learn and master a variety of software-as-a-service business applications.
9. Exercises good judgment/decision making. Critical and innovative thinker with the ability to anticipate problems and formulate solutions.
10. Commitment to achieving individual and team performance goals.

Compensation/Benefits

Salary range is $100,000–$120,000 annually, based on experience. FloridaMakes offers a very competitive benefits package, including a 401K plan, and has a generous time-off policy.

• FloridaMakes is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, marital status or veteran status.