Director of Economic Development

Description

Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer, the Director of Economic Development is responsible for leading NCRR’s efforts in partnering with North Carolina’s economic development community and railroads on various initiatives to drive increased job creation and economic growth.  

Requirements

SUPERVISORY DUTIES:

• Oversees the daily workflow and activities of the department. 
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations. 
• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains new staff in the Economic Development department. 
• Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee all functions and activities of the NCRR Economic Development Department.
• Collaborates with NCRR Engineering, Commercial, Real Estate, and Business Development departments to leverage expertise and support economic development projects throughout North Carolina.  
• Provide training and guidance to department staff through regular meetings and individual reviews.
• Collaborate with the NCRR Executive Team to prioritize departmental goals and budget.
• Collaborate with leaders within the Business Development department to develop workflows and cross-functional working teams to maximize NCRR development opportunities.
• Cultivate relationships with state leaders, municipalities, academic institutions, and various industry professionals in conjunction with the Director of Commercial Development, Vice President of Engineering, and Business Development Manager, ensuring consistent communication on new initiatives and progress.
• Attend and sponsor events to promote NCRR's economic initiatives and emphasize the value of NC’s rail assets.
• Manage the promotion and strategic marketing of NCRR Economic Development Programs.
• Deliver presentations on NCRR's economic initiatives and projects.
• Supervise NCRR economic development programs, including their internal policies and procedures.
• Track and manage economic development projects and leads across the state, collaborating with local and regional professionals.
• Monitor, measure, and report on project engagements to the Chief Commercial Officer and Board of Directors.  
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES: 

• Ability to plan and manage work under time constraints, with limited direct supervision.
• Demonstrated consistent leadership presence and maturity.
• Enthusiasm for the company and its growth potential.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Excellent management and supervisory skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.  
• Proficient in NetSuite or similar ERP system experience and overall experience with cloud-based systems.
• Strong ability to work well in team settings and communicate effectively with team members.  
• Strong Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong desire to develop leadership skills.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

• A Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, or a transportation-related field is required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 5 years of experience in economic or industrial development, government relations, transportation, or related field 
• Experience managing direct reports. 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Between 20-25%

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This work is predominantly conducted in an office setting. 
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. 

Other duties: Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and other activities may change at any time, with or without notice. 

North Carolina Railroad Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation), gender (including gender identity and status as a transgender individual), marital status and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.