Vice President, Strategic Projects

Virginia Economic Development Partnership Overview

One of the wealthiest and most beautiful states in America, the Commonwealth of Virginia is fortunate to have exceptional talent, as well as distinctive geographic and infrastructure assets. Widely viewed as an attractive state for business, Virginia is home to a diverse array of leading private-sector firms, national labs, important military installations, and one of the most educated populations in the country.

For more than two decades, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) has served as Virginia’s state economic development authority and is regarded as among the best economic development organizations in the country. As a quasi-independent state authority governed by a board of directors that spans gubernatorial administrations, VEDP is a nonpartisan organization with stable leadership and nimble, creative, mission-focused operations. VEDP aspires to become America’s most effective and impactful state economic development organization (EDO).

VEDP offers a dynamic, collaborative, high-profile, fast-paced professional environment where a strategic, integrated, action-oriented approach is the standard.

Position Overview

The Vice President, Strategic Projects and Lead Generation (SP&LG) provides primary staff leadership for developing and implementing strategies to promote employment growth across 12 key sectors, including Data Centers, Electric Vehicles, Batteries, Semiconductors, Traditional Automotive, AgTech, Offshore Wind, Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing, Wood Products, Nuclear Energy, Quantum Computing, and MRO.

This position will be responsible for leading Virginia’s economic development efforts for targeted sector growth through a whole-of-government approach in close collaboration with state, regional, and local partners. Key areas of responsibility include strategy development and execution for target company recruitment to the Commonwealth.

The Vice President, SP&LG will work with the CEO and EVP to lead a cross-functional economic development team and the strategy for economic development in key sectors. The Vice President will have a combination of direct reports and indirect support from functional teams.

The position offers the opportunity to lead projects across all areas of economic development while providing frequent and in-depth thought partnership and engagement with leaders across state government, regional and local EDOs, and the private sector.

Core Responsibilities

The Vice President, SP&LG has direct responsibility for four core areas:

Strategy Development, Administration, and Implementation

• Lead development of sector strategies and actively manage the implementation of those strategies within whole-of-government approach, identifying course corrections as needed
• Provide staff leadership implementing a sector growth strategy for the 12 key sectors; plan, organize, and execute the Governor’s Mission Trips program, ensuring all required VEDP support is effectively provided
• Set performance metrics with EVP/CEO and hold ultimate responsibility for achieving metrics
• Identify opportunities to improve Virginia’s competitiveness
• Develop deep sector insights to enhance economic development activities within VEDP and across the ecosystem
• Anticipate trends and impact on the economy and businesses to inform project response
• Develop strong partnerships with local, regional, and state officials to drive initiative progress
• Manage SP&LG team operations and provide leadership for other staff members within the team
• Serve as a collaborative member of VEDP’s leadership team, including active participation in leadership meetings to strengthen relationships and dialogue regarding sector expectations
• Collaborate with the Vice President for Marketing and Communications to support their lead role in the strategy development and execution for relationship cultivation with site selection consultants

Strategic Existing Business Engagement

• Cultivate relationships with Virginia’s top employers to proactively identify expansion opportunities and strengthen sector insights
• Be responsive to and elevate employer challenges to ensure retention and growth

Lead Generation

• Enhance lead generation through leveraging industry relationships and identifying high potential companies for growth
• Leverage sector strategies to execute lead generation activities promoting sector growth

Project Support

• Play a leading role to coordinate efforts for transformational projects (likely 2-3 per year)
• Provide solutions for issues that arise on other projects in VEDP’s pipeline
• Identify and incorporate lessons learned into project management processes

Experience required

• At least seven years of relevant experience, in positions of progressive responsibility
• Strong managerial and leadership abilities including cross-functional leadership, decision-making, and communication skills
• Excellent strategic analysis and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• Management of internal direct reports and indirect reports with a track record of developing people and building successful teams
• Excellent computer proficiency, particularly with spreadsheet (Excel) and presentation (PowerPoint) development
• Division/department management, resource allocation, and project delegation
• Support of organization-wide efforts
• Ability to multitask
• Ability to work under time pressure

Experience desired

• At least 10 years of experience in economic development in a comparable State EDO or a regional EDO recognized for the scale of its economic growth agenda and impact
• Participation and experience with government agencies, industry organizations, technology councils, and incubators
• Experience in tech startup ecosystems and/or launching new business ventures with mature companies

Personal attributes

• Strategic thinker who can synthesize large amounts of information quickly
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Excels under pressure, in a fast-paced, high-profile work environment
• Passion for public sector impact
• Enjoys meeting needs of internal and external customers
• Ability to balance progress on medium- and long-term projects with short-term deliverables
• Patience and collaborative instincts with stakeholders
• Impeccable character
• Relationship builder, motivator, and team player
• Positive attitude and energetic
• Innovator
• Inquisitive
• Sound judgment

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in social science (economics, public policy, or political science), mathematics, data analytics, business, or a related field
• Advanced degree in business (MBA), public policy (MPP), and/or other relevant fields preferred

Compensation

Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications

References and Background Information

It is VEDP's policy to complete an extensive background and reference check of candidates. Once strong mutual interest has been established, candidates are asked to provide a list of references that should include, but not be limited to, a supervisor, a peer, a development client and a subordinate, as applicable. Candidates will be asked to sign an authorization to release Information for the purpose of background investigation, which may include verification of education, credit check, criminal, and driving records. Should an offer be extended prior to the completion of these checks, the offer will be made contingent on the successful completion of the reference and background checks.

Application Process

Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. VEDP uses the E-Verify system and does not provide sponsorship.

All candidates must apply through our website https://www.vedp.org/careers. Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter. A valid Virginia driver’s license and ability to obtain a passport is required. Application deadline: November 20, 2024.

VEDP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or against otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities. It is VEDP’s intent that its employment and personnel policies and practices conform to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applicants requiring more information or requiring assistance may contact VEDP Human Resources at 1-804-545-5634 or vedphr@VEDP.org. TDD 1-800-828-1120.

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