Job Announcement
Executive Director
Economic Development Council for Island County
Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000 Depending on Experience
Posting closes February 28, 2018.
The position may be filled prior to the closing date.
The Job
The Executive Director of the Economic Development Council of Island County is a dynamic leader that can successfully collaborate with leadership in business, government, education and non-profit entities to grow and diversify Island County’s economy. EDC is a private, non-profit 501(c)6 corporation. The Executive Director leads strategic initiatives according to the EDC’s strategic plan, mission and vision statements, and board direction.
The Executive Director manages staff and contractors, and reports to a board of directors that is made up of leaders from both business and government. The Executive Director is expected to oversee the daily functions of the office and its personnel to include accounting processes, human resources, and overall administrative operations.
EDC VISION
Building and sustaining a healthy local economy through community, business and workforce development.
EDC MISSION
To enhance economic vitality and quality of life while respecting shared community values and maintaining a healthy environment.
The EDC's scope of work is defined by RCW 43.330.080:
(1)(b)(i) Direct assistance, including business planning, to companies throughout the county who need support to stay in business, expand, or relocate to Washington from out of state or other countries.
(1)(b)(ii) Support for regional economic research and regional planning efforts to implement target industry sector strategies and other economic development strategies, including cluster-based strategies.
The EDC’s strategic objectives are to:
· Proactively market Island County to potential business and industry.
· Provide information on state and local permitting, tax issues, export assistance, and other essential information for operating, expanding, or locating a business in Island County.
· Provide businesses with site location and selection assistance.
· Provide business retention and expansion services throughout the county. Such services include, but are not limited to, business outreach and monitoring efforts to identify and address challenges and opportunities faced by business, and providing information to business on resources available for microenterprise development and resources available on the revitalization of commercial districts.
· Participate in planning efforts with workforce development council’s involving coordinated strategies around workforce development and economic development policies and programs. Coordinated planning efforts include, but are not limited to, assistance to industry clusters within Island County.
· Participate with community and technical colleges in the coordination of the job skills training program and the customized training program within Island County.
· Participate in development of a countywide economic development plan consistent with the state comprehensive plan for economic development developed by the Washington State Economic Development Commission.
Island County
Island County is situated in the Salish Sea in Northwest Washington with a land area of 208 square miles and a population of 78,806 residents. As its name suggests, it is made up of several islands. The two largest are Whidbey and Camano. The largest employer is the U.S. Naval Air Station in Oak Harbor (Naval Air Station Whidbey Island or NASWI). Other major employers are local governments and education, health services, leisure, hospitality and tourism, construction and manufacturing.
Executive Director Selection Criteria
The Executive Director, with policy direction by the Board of Directors, provides leadership to the EDC in fulfilling its mission and contract objectives.
Competitive candidates must demonstrate ability and accomplishments in the following areas:
Business experience
· Five or more years of preferably senior level leadership and marketing experience, preferably in an economic development environment.
· Demonstrated successful outcomes in business recruitment, expansion and retention.
Collaboration
· Strong collaborative skills with case examples resulting in community-wide change and accomplishment of specific objectives.
Communication Skills
· Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
· Dynamic public speaking capabilities.
Education
· Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
Economic Development
· Proven ability to understand, communicate and implement a community’s economic development process and strategic plan.
· Ability to serve as a liaison for businesses on regulatory issues and provide problem solving assistance.
Leadership
· Visionary and focused leader with the ability to build relationships of trust with various groups of stakeholders.
· The ability to translate goals into specific actions.
· Proven leadership in project management, selecting and supervising personnel, leading a team.
Non-Profit experience
· Experience in fundraising and mobilization of a non-profit organization.
· Ability to work effectively with board of directors.
· Fundraising, grant writing, and fulfillment skills.
· Government relations.
· Public – private sector partnering ability.
· Public relations and media engagement skills.
Compensation Package
To include the following:
· Health Insurance
· Personal Time Off
Application Process
All application information is to be submitted electronically no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 to:
Lynda Eccles, Hiring Committee Chair
Subject line: (Your Name): Application for EDC Executive Director
Applications must include the following:
· Formal Cover letter addressing selection criteria
· Chronological resume outlining at least the last 10 years of employment with salary history
o Two employment references and a minimum of two personal or community-related references
Receipt of all application submittals will be acknowledged via email. Additional questions may also be submitted to the email address above. The board of directors may choose to fill the position prior to the advertised closing date.