The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) is seeking a Senior Vice President of Policy and Strategic Partnerships (SVP) plays a central role in achieving VEDP's transformational economic development goals by providing executive leadership and strategically leading enhancements in the design and implementation of the following functions.
- Economic Competitiveness: develops medium-to-long-term strategies to improve the foundations for state, regional, and local economic growth
- External Affairs: coordinates and manages all legislative and budgetary initiatives; cultivates and manages relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials, as well as relationships with VEDP's economic development partners across the Commonwealth; and convenes work groups and oversees special initiatives regarding policy development and program implementation
- Real Estate Solutions: supports business attraction and expansion efforts by strategically developing a comprehensive statewide portfolio of project-ready sites and buildings and engaging economic development projects to address real estate needs
In addition to providing executive leadership for these three divisions, the SVP serves as a senior member of VEDP's Executive Leadership Team, providing regular counsel and support to the President & CEO and other leadership team members on a variety of activities. The position reports to VEDP's President and CEO and requires strong leadership and management experience with a proven track record of collaborating with diverse partners and constituents to achieve mutually beneficial goals and objectives. Core Responsibilities The SVP has four core responsibility areas:
- Leadership and administration: Provide senior leadership for division programs and initiatives for which SVP is responsible. Provide clear direction and clearly communicate goals of VEDP to staff, external stakeholders, and clients. Provide appropriate staff oversight and performance management. Foster independence and appropriate risk taking as well as team interdependence and support. Ensure adequate professional development opportunities are provided for team members. Execute effective budgets and assignments of tasks to maximize resource allocation. Promote and encourage teamwork across divisions at VEDP to ensure effective and efficient solutions. Work with President & CEO to advance and administer special projects. Speak to external groups about VEDP mission, initiatives, activities, and results. Provide advice on politically sensitive matters.
- Economic Competitiveness: Monitor major workstreams to ensure alignment with expectations. Ensure the division is meeting timelines and regularly seeking feedback through regular check-ins with internal and external stakeholders. Ensure documents for President & CEO review are fully vetted and in appropriate form prior to sharing.
- External Affairs: Ensure all budget and legislative requests are submitted, tracked, and implemented in a timely manner with necessary input from stakeholders. Provide strategic leadership for partner relations activities, including strong execution of Partner Relations Team activities. Ensure documents for President & CEO review are fully vetted and in appropriate form for final review. Engage regularly with Administration officials and General Assembly members.
- Real Estate Solutions: Monitor major workstreams to ensure alignment with expectations. Ensure the division is meeting timelines and regularly seeking feedback through regular check-ins with internal and external stakeholders. Ensure documents for President & CEO review are fully vetted and in appropriate form prior to sharing.
The PersonExperience required
- At least ten years of progressively responsible leadership and management experience in high-performance organization(s) including substantial experience with economic development, public policy, and/or external affairs in a government environment
- Significant engagement with state government operations and economic development partners at the local, regional, and state levels, ideally at the state level in Virginia
- Development of research/white papers, studies, legislative reports, talking points, guidelines, and position statements
- Highly professional management approach to planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing organizational activities
- Ability to develop goals, plan and implement projects, work with others to negotiate issues effectively, and formulate and communicate recommendations
- Management of internal direct reports and indirect reports with a track record of developing people and building successful teams
- Effectiveness in implementing an organizational structure with clear roles and accountability, and fostering a culture that generates productivity, innovation, and success
- Ability to develop and lead a strong team in a dynamic environment, including division/department management, resource allocation, and project delegation
- Project leadership and management, working within external/internal cross-functional teams
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Public speaking expertise
- Operational performance management and reporting
- Budget/contract preparation and administration
- Solid understanding of economic development principles and processes
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Word and PowerPoint
Education
- Bachelor's degree required, with a Master's Degree and/or equivalent combination of training and experience preferred
Personal Attributes
- Embodies VEDP's values
- Strategic thinker
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Highly responsive
- Results-oriented implementer
- Excellent communicator
- Excels under pressure, in a fast-paced, high-profile work environment
- Enjoys meeting needs/deadlines of internal and external customers
- Strong relationship builder and team player
- Ability to adjust communication style to be effective with the audience/situation
- Promoter of talent development in direct reports and staff
- Strong work ethic
- Self-starter
- Positive attitude and energetic
- Passion for public sector impact
- Good instincts, flexible, and adaptive to change
- Apolitical yet politically savvy
- Sound judgment
- Leads by example
- Impeccable character
Compensation Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Selection 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 Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter. A valid Virginia driver's license and ability to obtain a passport is required. Application deadline: Open Until Filled 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. 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-###-#### or ...@VEDP.org. TDD 1-800-###-####.