Vice President of Global Trade

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Position Description

Position Title: Vice President of Global Trade & Investment

Department: Global Trade & Investment

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Position(s) Supervised: Senior Director of GTI, GTI International Business development Directors, GTI Administrative Coordinator, GTI Business Analyst, GTI Internes

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary

The Vice President of Global Trade & Investment is responsible for leading a team and initiatives that will accelerate Wisconsin exports by expanding international markets, enhancing export assistance resources in the state, and by promoting Wisconsin as a destination for foreign investment.

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Responsibilities

The VP will align activities to support the following primary roles:

• Develop and implement the Wisconsin Trade & Investment Plan including short- and long-range goals, strategies, and tactics to grow exports from the state, to expand the market share of Wisconsin products and services in priority markets, and to leverage the state's economic and demographic assets to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Wisconsin
• Design, build and administer data-driven evaluation tools that program results and team culture oriented around continuous improvement.
• Counsel WEDC leadership, business and government leaders on trade issues and opportunities for Wisconsin. Collaborate with local, county, and state agencies, stakeholders, partners, etc., to align efforts and promote the programs and resources available to Wisconsin companies.
• Provide leadership to the Global Trade and Investment Team and oversee the Division's operations plan and budget.

The VP will spend a majority of their time in these activities:

• Develop and evaluate new and existing export development programs and resources including third-party programs supported by WEDC.
• Develop strategies and tactics to engage with Wisconsin businesses to encourage their pursuit of global market opportunities.
• Identify existing ties between Wisconsin and international regions/markets to increase collaboration and develop mutually beneficial relationships in terms of exports and FDI.
• Present at events at the local, state, national, and international level to promote the state of Wisconsin and the benefits of exporting and trade.
• Coordinate with marketing on the management/production of marketing materials, media, advertising, strategy, and tactics.
• Collaborate closely with WEDC, including its business attraction team, and other economic development partners to convert FDI leads into Wisconsin investors.
• Provide leadership to the Global Trade and Investment Team and oversee department budget.
• Lead WEDC's strategy around participation in Global Trade Missions, relevant international tradeshows, and other in-country market development activities, including FDI programs/events
• Oversee WEDC's network of Authorized Trade Representatives including services provided, costs, performance, and evaluation.
• Research and analyze trade policies and data to provide technical advice to Wisconsin businesses, government leaders and WEDC leadership.
• Anticipate, research, and report on future changes in import/export laws, issues and opportunities to ensure such knowledge is factored into WEDC's planning.
• Analyze and evaluate trade data to identify and prioritize new and existing international markets for Wisconsin exports of products and services.
• Identify business and other entities interested in investing, expanding or relocating to Wisconsin.
• Represent WEDC in related organizations/partnerships.
• Participate as a member of the Executive Team in strategic planning and implementation.
• Cultivate relationships with existing foreign investors to capture potential business retention and expansion opportunities.
• Develop and nurture relationships with sister states in foreign countries.
• Other duties as assigned.

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Education and Experience:

• Degree in business or related field (post graduate degree preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years of senior-level management experience in internationally oriented industry, business, or economic development.

Skills and Talents:

• Extensive knowledge of the mechanics of exporting, market entry strategies, export regulations and practices, and trade policy.
• Considerable knowledge of economics and business management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of research techniques, data collection and effective data analysis.
• Ability to develop relationships with industry, government officials, and other state agency staff.
• Ability to analyze economic, investment and business factors.
• Ability to lead strategic planning processes and practices.
• Ability to work under pressure with competing demands.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural, diverse, dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated project management experience in a leadership role.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to deal effectively with senior executives, as well as diverse groups of customers and stakeholders, internal and external to the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to partner and influence at all levels the organization and to be viewed as a credible, valuable source of information and integral part of management team.
• Superior analytic skills, and the ability to compile, analyze and leverage performance data to both optimize current business and identify new opportunities.
• Bilingual ability is preferred.

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Other Requirements:

• International, national, and state-wide travel will occur. Travel is anticipated to include day and overnight travel.
• Possession of a valid driver's license and proof of auto insurance that meets minimum state requirements are required.
• This position is eligible for reimbursement according to the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. This position requires the employee to provide a mobile device that allows for phone, text, and email access.
• Based on the responsibilities of this position, this position may need to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

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WEDC DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING STATEMENT

WEDC must be a diverse and inclusive organization reflective of the businesses, communities, and people in Wisconsin and beyond. We believe that diversity drives innovation and commit to create an inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace where our differences are celebrated as drivers of our organization's performance.

TO SUPPORT A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE AT WEDC, WE WILL WORK TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING GOALS:

• Increase WEDC's racial diversity, specifically with Black/African American, Native American and Latinx populations;
• Increase LGBTQ representation across WEDC; and
• Increase the diversity of WEDC's leadership.

TO MEET OUR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION GOALS, WEDC WILL TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

• Create an intentional approach to recruit minority candidates by using targeted media channels to promote open positions;
• Ensure formal offers are made only after a diverse pool of candidates have been considered at each hiring stage;
• Identify and develop a variety of employee resource groups, including groups for African Americans, Hispanics and Latinos, LGBTQ+ and more;
• Post signage to highlight WEDC's commitment to diversity and inclusion; and
• Revisit EEO disclosures in our application process to highlight statements regarding WEDC's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution and EEO/Affirmative Action Employer committed to excellence through diversity. Employment offers are made on the basis of qualifications, and without regard to race, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

Veteran Declaration

Applicants for employment are invited to participate in affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment.
** PROTECTED VETERAN DEFINITION

Protected veteran means a veteran who may be classified as an active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, disabled veteran, Armed Forces service medal veteran or recently separated veteran.

Active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

Armed Forces service medal veteran means any veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985 (61 FR 1209, 3 CFR, 1996 Comp., p. 159).

Disabled veteran means (1) a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or (2) a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

Recently separated veteran means a veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service.

* EEOC RACE/ETHNIC IDENTIFICATION CATEGORIES

Hispanic or Latino - A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.

White (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.

Black or African American (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands.

Asian (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian Subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand and Vietnam.

American Indian or Alaska Native (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment.

Two or more races (not Hispanic or Latino) - All persons who identify with more than one of the above races.