Existing Industry Expansions, Manager

About The Role

The Existing Industry Expansions Manager (EIEM) is responsible for cultivating relationships with existing companies in the region and supporting any challenges or opportunities that are identified.  The primary duty is to assist North Carolina companies that are considering expansion of their businesses in North Carolina to positively influence investment decisions in North Carolina.  Working in close partnership with state, local and other officials, the primary goal is the advancement of job creation, job retention, and investment in the region.  S/he will spend most days traveling within the region, meeting with business and community leaders, and building important working relationships with stakeholders throughout the region.  

The successful candidate will be required to live within the Prosperity Zone s/he represents.  This position supports the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, McDowell, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey.

Accomplishments and results will be defined by specific metrics and growth within the assigned region that meets overall company goals.  

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the state’s first point of contact for communities, regarding economic development efforts.
• Represent North Carolina as the lead point of contact for companies considering expansion in the region by forming and maintaining relationships with executive-level decision makers of existing companies.
• Promote the state’s incentive programs, pro-business climate, community partnerships, and workforce.
• Along  with regional partners, assist in the creation of a flexible, efficient, strategic economic development “one-stop-shop” of information that will provide data related to all local, state and federal resources that support economic development activities.
• Provide guidance to agencies that work directly in business permitting assistance, state and local incentives, and other related regulatory issues affecting  business investment.
• Establish  a professional relationship with the economic development leaders, major business organizations, and county/town partners within the region.
• Provide and promote economic development collaboration, referral services, education and training assistance, as well as other support to counties, municipalities, and businesses within assigned region.  
• Serve as a regional representative for the organization, such as through speaking engagements to various stakeholder groups. 
• Ensure assigned regions are familiar with the services and assistance that can be provided by the EDPNC Small Business Advisors and the International Trade Division.
• Serve as a regional liaison with the NC Department of Transportation, NC Department of Environmental Quality, NC Community College System, NCSU Industry Expansion Services, NC Department of Commerce Workforce  Development, and other related partner organizations serving the same constituency of start-up and existing employers in the state.
• Identify the region’s economic development and business attributes, target industry sectors for job attraction, and assist with the development of those industries in the region.
• Duties and responsibilities are subject to change in response to evolving  economic conditions, organizational priorities, and operational requirements, and may be adjusted accordingly at the discretion of management.

Working Conditions

• Frequent on-site visits  to client facilities, e.g., manufacturing, distribution, or similar industrial environment are required.
• Travel outside the  office occurs in such settings as airports, hotels, conference facilities,  and client/partner offices.
• Work is occasionally performed in an office environment.
• Quarterly meetings and professional development activities will occur in Raleigh with overnight stays. 

What We Are Looking For

Key Competencies 

• Customer service-focused   attitude and behavior.
• Ability to interface professionally with senior-level business and government executives.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presentations to outside  audiences.
• Strategic thinking and focus on attaining performance results.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders, both internal and external to the organization.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree  required, preferably in related fields such as business, marketing, economics, city/regional planning, finance, public policy, etc.
• Post-graduate educational experience or degree in related fields such as business, public policy, finance, etc. preferred.
• Minimum 3 years’  experience in state or regional economic development, preferably involving business retention/expansion; similar experience in sales, customer service or program management is substitutable.

EQUIPMENT USED

• Computer, including MS Office and e-mail applications
• Mobile devices (smartphones, tablets)
• Salesforce CRM system
• Printer/copier/fax
• Employee or company-leased/company-rented vehicle

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Frequent on-site visits to client facilities, e.g., manufacturing, distribution, or similar industrial environment are required.
• Travel outside the office occurs in such settings as airports, hotels, conference facilities, and client/partner offices.
• Work is occasionally performed in an office environment
• Quarterly meetings and professional development activities will occur in Raleigh with overnight stays. 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical requirements include:

• Sitting and standing for long periods of time
• Driving a vehicle (employee or company-leased/company-rented)
• Domestic travel via commercial aircraft

Mental requirements include:

• Communicating with the public
• Communicating with business and government executives
• Managing multiple, competing demands on time and resources
• Organizing schedules to be responsive to multiple stakeholders, including clients, customers, partners, and colleagues
• Analyzing and interpreting data
• Problem-solving

OUR MISSION:

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) is focused on recruiting new businesses to the state, supporting the needs of existing businesses, connecting exporters to global customers, helping small business owners get their start, and attracting tourists and visitors from all over the world.

OUR COMMITTMENT TO DIVERSITY:

At the EDPNC, we embrace the differences of people living in, working in, and visiting our socially, environmentally, and economically diverse state, as well as those who plan to come. We know that our greatest strengths come from the people who make up our team, and we strive to be both ambassadors and catalysts for preserving the beauty of the cultural patchwork that makes North Carolina a welcoming place for all.