Economic Development Director - Greater Louisville Inc.

Have you ever wanted to do something that makes your community a better place to live, work, and play? Would you like to collaborate with and meet some of Louisville's top CEOs and business leaders? Well, now you can! Come work at GLI!

GLI, the Metro Chamber of Commerce, recognized by Louisville Business First as a Best Place to Work, is hiring an Economic Development Director and we're looking for the right fit. GLI hires based on skills, experience, and alignment with its organizational values. We look for people who are dedicated, inclusive, results oriented, and collaborative to drive our mission and enrich our organizational culture.

Our top-notch initiatives and programming made us Chamber of the Year in 2019. Whether it's through supporting and promoting our local businesses, advocating for a business-friendly environment, hosting great events, expanding the region through business attraction, or solving critical talent problems, by joining the GLI team you can help grow our regional economy.

Plus, you'll have the chance to work with driven and creative professionals in a collaborative culture. GLI has a highly flexible hybrid working arrangement where employees can work remotely/from home along with competitive pay and benefits.

Greater Louisville Inc. - the Metro Chamber of Commerce is focused on growing the regional economy. As the region's largest convener of business leadership, GLI leads economic and global outreach strategies focused on business attraction; nurtures the entrepreneurial eco-system; and champions the development of the community's talent base. As the voice of Greater Louisville's business community, GLI advocates for a pro-business environment and facilitates businesses engagement on issues that impact regional competitiveness.

Here are just a few of the many comments from employees:

• "GLI is the pulse of the community and helps my community grow. I like being a part of an organization that helps bring change, awareness, and business success."
• "People are treated fairly and with respect. [Our] ideas are listened to and given due consideration. The leadership cares about employees and their well-being. There is also a clear sense of giving back to the community."
• "I enjoy working with my team and I enjoy what we do. I feel like I am making a difference in my work. GLI makes their employees feel appreciated and a vital part of the team."

For more information, visit www.greaterlouisville.com/.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Under minimal supervision, provide leadership and operational oversight of efforts to identify new business attraction efforts through relationship development and outreach to key stakeholders/partners within the industry. The position will also support business retention and expansion services in close coordination with the GLI investment team and regional partners.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND TASKS:

1. Manage efforts to generate and develop new business attraction leads for the region by developing and executing outreach strategies
2. Manage successful completion of target outreach engagements per quarter with community partners, site consultants, commercial real estate brokers, and other business influencers
3. Work with local and state economic development officials, when appropriate, to manage economic development leads in partnership with company decision makers
4. Ensure accurate and timely oversight of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process
5. Manage the execution of business attraction/site consultant visits
6. Maintain and employ a deep understanding of the regional economic development assets
7. Develop and manage a portfolio of solutions to assist businesses with regional relocation opportunities including a working knowledge of several key industry clusters
8. Educate and assist clients on regional economic development programs and opportunities
9. Leverage relationships with key partners at local, regional, and state levels
10. Successfully manage and execute a FAM Tour each year
11. Manage the Regional Economic Development Update event series
12. Manage the development and execution of an annual conference schedule to facilitate business attraction efforts and grow the project pipeline
13. Manage client relationship management database and project pipeline reporting
14. Communicate and report to management, stakeholders, and regional partners
15. Compose, produce, and deliver proposals/reports for internal and external use
16. Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree plus five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in business environment. A combination of education and experience may be substituted when proficiency is demonstrated.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Ability to communicate with high-level executives, elected officials, and a variety of personalities for the purpose of sharing information and collecting information related to client solutions.
• Ability to present information in large and small settings.
• Strong writing and verbal skills.
• Ability to prepare reports and formulate recommendations concerning economic development projects.
• Ability to work with other staff, the general public and local stakeholders at the project level.
• Ability to develop and leverage long-term relationships with key national and international influencers.

The incumbent will be required to pass a background check in accordance with our hiring practices and must be able to maintain the confidentiality of any information s/he encounters.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to those who are able to perform the essential duties of the job.

GLI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.