BRCEDA Executive Director Position Opening
Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority (BRCEDA)
Seeks Qualified Candidates for Executive Director
The Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority (BRCEDA) is organized under the Virginia Regional Industrial Facilities Act and serves the localities of Carroll County, the City of Galax, and Grayson County (pop. 54,500) in southwestern Virginia. The Authority has been recognized by the Appalachian Regional Commission, Council for Rural Virginia, and the Virginia Association of Counties for its regional approach to and accomplishments in economic development. BRCEDA is seeking qualified, professional candidates for the Authority’s executive director position.
Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, site development and marketing of Wildwood Commerce Park (www.wildwoodva.com), promotion and administration of the localities’ regional Enterprise Zone and Opportunity Zone, and supervision and guidance of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) staff. Abilities to promote collaboration of all parties and agencies engaged in local and regional economic development and to lead business attraction efforts, including marketing, responding to requests-for-information, and coordinating site visits are critical to the executive director’s success. Responsibilities are performed under the limited supervision of the Chairperson and Board of Directors of BRCEDA.
The successful candidate should possess a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Economic Development or Business Administration, or demonstrated experience in economic development, local government administration, business development, project management, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Salary negotiable DOQ/E. Position is open until filled.
This is not a complete description of duties. A full job description is available on-line at www.brceda.org and at the Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority office. Applications consisting of a cover letter, completed Virginia Application for Employment (http://dls.virginia.gov/stateapp.docx), and detailed résumé, including examples of relevant experience and accomplishments, salary history, and a minimum of five professional references should be directed to Mr. C.M. Mitchell, Chair, BRCEDA, 1117 East Stuart Drive, Galax, VA 24333. First review of applications to begin October 28, 2019. Finalist shall be subject to pre-employment background and drug screenings. BRCEDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
BRCEDA Executive Director Job Description
General Definition of Work
FLSA Status: Exempt
Performs executive work developing, managing and implementing regional economic development plans and projects designed to attract and retain jobs and investments in the region, serves as liaison and technical advisor to the Board, existing businesses, state and federal officials and agencies and the private sector, promotes cooperation of all parties and agencies engaged in local economic development, locates, procures and administers funding, promotes the region and communicates with stakeholders regarding economic development strategies and initiatives and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Chairperson of the Carroll-Grayson-Galax Regional Industrial Facilities Authority (dba Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority (BRCEDA)).
Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Functions
Develops, organizes and implements regional projects and initiatives designed to deliver economic development. Attends board meetings, prepares agenda and minutes, facilitates and implements decisions.
Assists in recommending the recruitment and selection of personnel; develops staff schedules, trains, directs and inspects the work of assigned personnel; recommends transfer, suspension, promotion, demotion, discipline and termination of employees; assists with evaluating performance of personnel; coaches and counsels staff.
Develops and implements budgets, reviews insurance policies, approves invoices and coordinates audits. Identifies, procures and administers grant funds leveraged to implement projects.
Develops and maintains positive working relationships with external officials and organizations.
Works with local utilities to build and improve infrastructure needed for recruitment and expansion of businesses. Develops and maintains BRCEDA-managed available business sites and buildings inventory.
Develops and maintains demographic and economic information on the region for marketing of area to prospective businesses.
Develops and maintains BRCEDA websites.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Comprehensive knowledge of economic development-related studies and reports, letter-writing, correspondence, real estate documents and financing/loan documents; thorough knowledge of workforce development studies and reports, legislation, financial reporting statements (balance sheets), time sheets and internal reporting documents, use of personal computer and copying/scanning equipment, and cell phones; some knowledge of engineering drawings and plans; ability to use software that calculates return-on-investment (ROI) analyses; ability to understand and communicate legislation at the state and federal level and ability to identify the need for, draft language about, present and implement organizational policies and decisions; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, elected and appointed officials, state and federal agency contacts, private sector company representatives, local government employees at all levels, professional consultants, economic development colleagues and the general public.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Economic Development or Business Administration and considerable experience in local government administration, economic development and project management, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Physical Requirements
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work constantly requires speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, and repetitive motions; work frequently requires sitting; work occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms and lifting. Work has standard and close vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data. Work has no exposure to environmental conditions and is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
Special Requirements
Valid driver’s license in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Original: 04/27/2015 Amended: 2/14/2018