Executive Director

DeKalb County Economic Development Partnership
Executive Director Job Profile

Job Profile

The DeKalb County Economic Development Partnership (DCEDP) is seeking an Executive Director who will be directly accountable to the Board of Directors for achieving corporate goals and supporting the governance and policy making functions required to sustain the economic base of DeKalb County, Indiana. The Director is responsible for the overall management and operation of the DCEDP and the protection of the organization’s financial assets while ensuring compliance with the Board directives. The Director also facilitates the operating agreement between the DCEDP and the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance (Alliance), and is considered an employee of the Alliance.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, implement, oversee and report on all operational and program functions of the DeKalb County Economic Development Partnership
• Develop, propose, and implement services, programs, and policies for effective retention, expansion, and attraction of business and industry
• Work directly with prospects and structure appropriate incentive packages
• Provide leadership to staff and associates related to the DeKalb County Economic Development Partnership objectives and programs
• Develop and maintain financial resources to support the DeKalb County Economic Development Partnership operations
• Represent the DeKalb County Economic Development Partnership in interactions within the state and local policy makers, community leaders, media representatives and others

Experience and Education

• Five to ten years of increasing responsible professional experience in economic development and related activities
• Executive experience including budgeting, project management, operations within a not-for-profit organization structure
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with regional economic development partners, business partners, and government officials
• Demonstrated experience in economic development real estate financing and incentive negotiations and structuring and closing complex economic development agreements
• Experience with public relations, media relations, governmental relations and public speaking
• Experience facilitating positive and proactive communication with and among the Board of Directors with regard to strategic plans, policies, programs, and initiatives
• Education requirement – Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. Master’s degree desirable

Skills and Abilities

• Critical decision making skills
• Demonstrable leadership, creativity, and innovation
• Strong management skills with the capacity to recruit, retain, and develop staff and volunteer leaders
• A history of unwavering personal and professional integrity
• Ability to assume the role of DeKalb County’s number one business development professional; success will be judged on the ability to convert prospects into projects
• Superior communication and presentation skills. The candidate must possess extremely strong written and verbal skills with an ability to relate economic development ideas to diverse audiences and communities
• Ability to partner with federal, state, regional, and local organizations on issues and opportunities impacting DeKalb County economic development
• Willingness and ability to devote the time necessary to accomplish the assigned duties; attend evening meetings; travel out of town and attend workshops, conferences, seminars, and meetings during work and non-work hours

Send resumes to:
Keli Funk, Office Manager
Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance
111 W. Wayne Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
kfunk@theallianceonline.com
260.426.5568 (office)
260.426.0837 (fax)

2/27/2010