Executive Director

Lincoln County Economic Development Association (LCEDA) & Minnehaha County Economic Development Association (MCEDA) is seeking its next Executive Director - a leader with high integrity, transparent and open communication, and the ability to enthusiastically convey the organization's vision to staff members, businesses, startups, industries and vendors.

Lincoln County Economic Development Association & Minnehaha County Economic Development Association exists to promote the growth and economic development in Lincoln and Minnehaha County to encourage and assist the startup, expansion, retention or relocation of businesses and industry to the region along with managing the foundations daily operations. The Executive Director, working out of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation office in Sioux Falls, will be in a position to design, carry out, manage and direct economic development related programs deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. This role will oversee marketing/public relations, facility/real estate options for business development, association development, member services, and serves as the chief staff person for LCEDA & MCEDA. The Executive Director will report directly to the Board of Directors for LCEDA & MCEDA for direction and accountability.

Responsibilities include:

Leadership

• Serve as chief staff person and the public relations contact; act in the interest of and at the direction of the Board
• Maintain awareness of activities on state and federal levels that affect regional economic development
• Identify, assess and inform the Board about internal and external issues that affect the associations
• Continually build, activate, engage, refresh and communicate with the Board of Directors, including acting as a professional advisor to the Board
• Continually build, activate, engage and effectively communicate with it’s members
• Oversee the effectiveness and evaluation of the Foundation mission-related activities

Operations & Planning

• Develop and implement a comprehensive economic development plan that addresses the needs of the region as a whole and of each member community
• Facilitate the LCEDA & MCEDA Boards through a coordinated planning process
• Compile and maintain a thorough community assessment of each of the member communities (Assist each local community development organization through a planning effort)
• Assist communities & investors in developing their infrastructure and collect, organize and assemble demographic and other economic development information on the region
• Maintain an inventory of available facilities which are suitable for commercial use and keep an organized list of available real estate options for business development
• Develop and implement a budget which will assure the best possible use of the available financial resources
• Manage all office operations; coordinate the activities of the office, technical, and supervisory staff to ensure implementation and completion of activities
• With the Board, maintain financial transparency and stability of the Foundation and exercise strong stewardship of resources: administer funds according to the budget
• Create an effective, enjoyable, and results-oriented working environment

Marketing

• Promote economic development in the county (Encourage and assist the startup, expansion, retention or relocation of businesses and industry to the region)
• Direct the design of marketing materials deemed necessary by the Board of Directors (Target prospective segments and specific businesses for promotion of startup efforts, expansion activities, and relocation opportunities)
• Schedule and coordinate community visitations for industrial and commercial prospects
• Utilize existing Federal, State and local economic development programs while leveraging resources with the Sioux Falls Development Foundation (SFDF) and other agencies and establish a relationship with the staff of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, maintain routine contact and coordinate activities
• Assist individual business and industries in securing financing for economic development projects

Communications

• Work in cooperation with the individual economic development organizations in the member communities
• Respond in a timely and professional manner to inquiries received
• Prepare and deliver written and oral reports to the LCEDA & MCEDA Board of Directors and other appropriate organizations (Publish a quarterly and annual report of progress to the above mentioned stakeholders and provide periodic news releases to the various community newspapers and other appropriate means of communications)

Qualifications and Requirements include:

• Education: College degree in business, economics or related field is required
• Three or more years of economic development, planning, Chamber of Commerce or other association management experience is desired
• Experience with Federal and State economic development finance programs is preferred
• Knowledge and experience in commercial real estate development, land development, infrastructure development and tax issues
• Leadership Skills: must include transparency, high integrity and high self-motivation
• Financial: solid, hands-on, budget management skills, including preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting
• Team Building: ability to bring people of varying perspectives together for a common good
• Community: Participate in and be a resource to local community and economic development groups and units of government
• Communications: strong written and verbal communication skills; strong listening skills also required
• Public Speaking: strong public speaking ability required
• Technology: proficient with normal industry and office software and equipment
• Travel: % of time in office/traveling for this position is 50/50

Competitive compensation starting salary $60,000 (potentially higher based on qualifications/experience) + benefits include: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, LTD/STD/Life/AD&D and Dep Life, Common Sense PTO, 401K, parking and office lease (100% by employer), phone stipend and mileage reimbursement.

To learn more, visit:  http://siouxfallsdevelopment.com/MCEDA.cfm

*Please attach resume with your application for review.

EOE