Chief Executive Officer

Description:

The President serves as the chief executive officer for a prominent regional economic development organization encompassing an 18-county area in the Midwest. This leadership role requires setting a clear strategic vision aligned with regional economic growth objectives and ensuring its successful execution. As the organization’s public face, the President will represent the region at local, state, and national levels, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to maintain the region’s unique culture and advance critical economic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the formulation and execution of the region’s economic development strategy, aligning goals with broader economic trends.

• Build and sustain strong relationships across public and private sectors, including economic development partners, government officials, and business leaders.

• Oversee financial operations and fiscal planning, ensuring sustainable funding through a variety of mechanisms.

• Serve as the region’s public spokesperson at events, in media, and through outreach activities.

• Collaborate closely with a 40-member board and executive committee, communicating strategic plans, progress, and challenges effectively.

• Promote regional branding, marketing, workforce development, and talent attraction initiatives.

• Navigate a complex regional structure balancing centralized leadership with distributed stakeholder engagement across 18 counties.

• Address fundraising challenges amid shifts in corporate leadership and changing economic climates.

• Leverage high-profile events and strategic partnerships to enhance the region’s visibility and attract investment.

Qualifications:

Must-Haves:

• At least 10 years of progressive career advancement with 5+ years in executive leadership roles.

• Deep expertise in economic development, including business development, site selection, and government relations.

• Strong business and financial acumen to interpret and influence economic policies and initiatives.

• Proven track record of successfully implementing strategic goals that promote organizational and regional growth.

• Exceptional consensus-building and collaborative skills across diverse stakeholder groups.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Policy, Economics, or a closely related discipline.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.

• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential.

• Experience with regional branding, marketing, workforce development, and talent attraction.

• Grant writing experience and knowledge of mixed public/private funding models.

• Familiarity with Midwest economic landscapes and a requirement to reside in the region.

Core Competencies:

• Skilled communicator and relationship-builder, comfortable working with large boards and multiple stakeholders.

• Commanding leadership presence that inspires confidence and engagement.

• Effective public speaker adept at external representation and media relations.

• Strategic thinker, action-oriented, resilient, and able to manage pressure effectively.

• Strong multitasking and project management abilities to oversee multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.