Vice President of Economic Development

SUMMARY OF FUNCTIONS: The Vice President of Economic Development serves as the primary point of contact for business development projects. The VP’s primary responsibilities include managing a team to proactively attract new projects into the Greater Des Moines region through national and global business recruitment; meeting with site selection consultants, corporate real estate executives, national real estate developers, local company headquarter executives, and prospective companies in the region’s industry clusters to promote the area’s business advantages. This role operates in a very fast-paced environment and requires attending meetings and events outside of traditional office hours.

The position leads and coordinates all aspects of the recruitment process including marketing trip planning & implementation, site and building selection assistance, financial incentive identification and overseeing entrepreneurial programs. The position is also responsible for maintaining a database which tracks the organizations’ progress toward economic development goals. Additional responsibilities include maintaining a strong working relationship with state and local partners, leading special initiatives and other duties as assigned. This position will travel up to 30% of the year, including throughout the 12-county region, throughout the nation, and international travel as needed.

SPECIFIC JOB RESPSONSIBILITIES:

• Drive business recruitment efforts, economic development project marketing/sales, prospect visits and site selector visits.
• Heavy sales focus to fill funnel with project leads through proactive relationship-building throughout the region, state, national and globe.
• Leads a team to carry out recruitment trips to identified major metropolitan areas, tradeshows and site selection events to promote Greater Des Moines (DSM) business advantages.
• Oversees local business retention and expansion efforts including meetings with local businesses and partners.
• Develops and implements data-driven lead generation activities (virtual and in-person). Examples: Sales Navigator, Gazelle, Leadfeeder, etc.
• Identifies, plans, executes and attends trade show marketing trips.
• Leads and coordinates prospect visits.
• Serves as a point of contact in the Greater Des Moines region for business executives to access information on local business expansions, new business locations, or business relocations.
• Serves as a liaison between business executives and state & local officials to address business development issues and assists local businesses with expansion projects.
• Represents The Partnership and DSM USA region throughout 12 counties and around the world.
• Develops and gives presentations on the advantages of doing business in DSM.
• Works with internal communications team on framing the DSM marketing message and key points, as well as identification of prospects, marketing targets and opportunities.
• Understands and can articulate high-level information regarding state, local and federal economic development programs. Develops and maintains a network of business contacts to identify expansion opportunities and assist with the external headquarters visitation program.
• Maintains personal working relationships with state and local economic development representatives, city managers, mayors, local brokers and developers.
• Documents and prepares information for SVP of Economic Development as needed.
• Leads special projects and initiatives as identified.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent sales and relationship management.
• Ability to see pathways to grow and support multi-sector relationships.
• Simultaneously manage several tasks, prioritize and solve problems proactively and on short notice.
• Excellent human relations skills and good understanding of group dynamics.
• Ability to manage a high-performing team.
• Strong written and oral communications.
• Must be comfortable with public speaking engagements.
• Proficient in office technology.
• Highly self-motivated.
• Team player with “we over me” approach.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Public Administration, Urban Planning & Development, or other business related field.
• Extensive experience in economic development is required.
• Continued education in economic development courses or business training courses.
• Minimum 5-10 years of related experience.