Job Description

TIMELINE - immediate. Please send resume, cover letter, and writing sample to jgilden@mbep.biz.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: (1) Resume, (2) Cover Letter, (3) Writing Sample, (4) 3-5 References 

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION  

Founded in 2015, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) is a nonprofit, member-supported organization consisting of public, private, and civic entities located throughout the counties of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz. As a regional convener, our mission is to improve the economic health and quality of life in the region. MBEP champions regional leadership enabling a strategic cross-sector network for Monterey Bay’s future in economic and community development through broadband, transportation, energy, housing, and inclusive economic development planning. 

OVERVIEW

The Director of Economic Development Strategies Is a senior team leader tasked with delivering highly effective coordination and leadership in:

1. Building and leading new MBEP capacities around traded-sector industry development and quality job creation focused on the tri-county region (i.e. Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties). 
2. Contributing to implementation of several large-scale initiatives, working closely with MBEP’s President/CEO, other civic leaders in the tri-county region, and the Uplift Central Coast Coalition (also encompassing San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties). 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

→Economic Development Service Delivery

• Strategic planning and management: Design and lead a new comprehensive economic development portfolio focused on advancing quality job creation and access in priority industries (i.e. precision manufacturing, the autonomous systems value chain). 
• Research: Undertake or oversee gathering of information and preparation of studies, reports, and recommendations to achieve identified economic development goals (e.g. job creation, business openings/closings/expansions, investment). Maintain a consolidated, publicly accessible inventory of available sites for economic development purposes, working with external sources, to enable efficient identification of opportunities in the region on behalf of all counties and municipalities.
• Industry stewardship and network-building: Build deep relationships with priority industry firms and other ecosystem players (e.g. city, county, sub-regional, and university economic development leaders) to enable MBEP and partners to proactively address needs and rally coalitions around priorities. Participate in related committees and task forces to promote alignment and coordination with other regional and local actors.
• Business retention and expansion: Create and implement a routinized system for engaging firms in priority industries on a regular basis, in coordination with local economic development partners, to surface challenges and provide access to resources. This may include business visits and surveys, roundtables, newsletters, representation at events, and other means.
• Business attraction: Coordinate regional response to Requests for Information and other opportunities to locate priority industry firms in the tri-county region, working with local, State, and Uplift Central Coast partners.
• Marketing and visibility: Contribute to the development of a mega-regional brand and marketing campaign showcasing precision manufacturing assets to global audiences, working with Uplift Central Coast. Customize and apply branding/messaging to local needs and requests. Represent the tri-county region at trade shows, conferences, and related events.
• Policy and advocacy: Contribute to proactive and reactive responses to local, State, and federal legislative and/or executive actions impacting priority industries, working with MBEP President and CEO and industry leaders. 

→Special Initiatives 

• Uplift Mega-Regional Precision Manufacturing Strategy: Shape the development and execution of a six-county effort to promote and extend the Central Coast’s status as a leading California hub for precision manufacturing, working with MBEP’s President/CEO and staff at REACH (in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties) and EDC (in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties). Coordinate tri-county efforts with mega-regional efforts to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Uplift Mega-Regional Advanced Air Mobility Cluster Initiative: Contribute to the development and execution of a six-county advanced air mobility cluster initiative, to be led by a dedicated Director. Coordinate with the Director on engagement of tri-county firms and interests. 
• Talent and/or Innovation Initiatives: Lead, contribute to, and/or coordinate activation of select talent development and/or innovation/tech transfer and commercialization programs to address core competitiveness gaps for priority industry firms, working with other stakeholders in the tri-county region.

→Administration 

• Manage all MBEP economic development activities (pending funding availability).
• Contribute to overall direction and operations of MBEP as a senior staff member.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 7-10 years of practical economic development work experience, preferably at a regional scale, including at least two years of project management responsibilities.
• Strong familiarity with economic development tools and models.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal economic development programs, regulations, and policy. Experience working with county, city, subregional, and other economic development leads and understanding of the distinctive role each plays in the ecosystem.
• Familiarity with advanced manufacturing industry dynamics, operations, and needs (ideally within the State of California).
• Interest and experience in inclusive economic development, including collaborating with talent providers and community-based organizations to improve access to quality jobs.
• Comfort operating in a matrix model with peers and partner organizations depending on the function or task, where the lead and subordinate staff on one activity may reverse roles for another. 
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in business administration, economics, marketing, planning, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills.
• Office suite and data analysis software.
• Reliable transportation to travel across the region.
• Bilingual capabilities in Spanish are preferred but not required.

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt, Full-Time Position (35-40 hours per week). Salary commensurate with experience. Range: $110,000 - $145,000

BENEFITS: 

• Health care benefits 
• Standard paid holidays 
• Additional 2 weeks paid vacation
• Flexible work/Hybrid within the Monterey Bay Region

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Is well integrated in the Central Coast community where MBEP serves.
• Is a motivator and encourager who will generate strong interest and engagement to foster buy-in.
• Is highly organized, responsive, and an achiever who can juggle tasks and priorities gracefully and manage time wisely. 
• Is an excellent communicator and comfortable in co-creating with internal and external stakeholders; professional manner; keeping others informed of work progress, timetables and issues.
• Has proficiency in inclusive community organizing and regional planning with the ability to work across a wide array of geo-political boundaries, issue areas and demographic populations.
• Is capable and confident with other regional convenors while also connecting and engaging with the local community as a convenor.
• Has experience managing small teams of people and ensuring they are able to perform their best work
• Is a firm believer of MBEP vision, values, and ethos.
• Discretion and confidentiality.

MBEP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WE VALUE AND WELCOME DIVERSITY OF ETHNIC, CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS, SOCIO-ECONOMIC, POLITICAL BACKGROUNDS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION/IDENTIFICATION AND ABILITIES.

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