Senior Vice President Economic Development

Jorgenson Consulting has been retained to conduct this executive search.

Representing more than 2,150 member organizations and more than 178,000 workers, the Tulsa Regional Chamber is the primary driver of regional and individual prosperity in the northeast Oklahoma. The Chamber develops and delivers a wide variety of programs and services designed to bolster and benefit Tulsa - area businesses of all shapes and sizes, from large corporations to small startups. For more than 120 years, the Chamber has served as an integral part of what makes the Tulsa region a great place to live, work and play. 

Strategic initiatives: 

Economic Development – Collaborate with regional partners to position the northeast Oklahoma for increased economic activity.

Regional Tourism – Leverage the region’s competitive identity to market Tulsa as a destination for tourism, sports and culture.

Government Affairs – Build coalitions to achieve pro-business policy at local, state and federal levels.

Community Development – Create vibrant places that support and enrich quality of life and regional economic activity. 

The Senior Vice President of Economic Development is responsible for Tulsa Regional Chamber's economic development program designed to diversify the economic base by selectively recruiting new businesses, assisting the expansion of local firms, workforce development, and marketing for the Tulsa region’s economic growth.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

·        With the support of the Board and regional partners, execute and enhance Tulsa’s future strategy and provide direction with strategic goals, project opportunities, policies, and objectives for implementing the plan.

·        Provide leadership and guidance in executing outbound domestic and international economic development attraction program. 

·        Serve as the chief spokesperson communicating the value of the Tulsa brand and it’s benefits to companies both in and out of market.

·        Supervises and directs division personnel to accomplish the Economic Development Division's mission in business recruitment, business retention and expansion, workforce development, and marketing.

·        As a Senior Vice President of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, this position is also responsible for providing leadership and promoting the goals and objectives of the entire chamber, both internally with staff and externally with the membership, community, and other organizations and individuals with whom the chamber interacts.

·        Exercises budgetary control over the Economic Development Division annual budget, defines division objectives, and develops operating plan, including budget and personnel requirements in compliance with Board decisions. Develops divisional programs to comply with organization requirements. Motivates and directs the activities of the division staff, determines work priorities and schedules work assignments, interviews and recommends candidates, and evaluates, orients, counsels and trains subordinate personnel and recommends associated personnel actions.

·        Possesses authority to spend or commit to spend up to the dollar limits provided on annual budget line items in aggregate within the Division, subject to these limitations:

o  Budgetary controls and line-item adjustments imposed by the President because of income limitations.

o  Possesses authority to schedule and make trips essential to the conduct of their responsibilities within the dollar limits of his annual travel budget, subject to budgetary controls imposed by the President because of income limitations.

·        Coordinates and works cooperatively with Tulsa’s Future Regional Partners, City, County, State, Native American Tribes, and other stakeholders to maintain productive relationships to accomplish strategic economic development initiatives.

·        Responsible for assisting with Tulsa’s Future fundraising and investor relations, including the Tulsa’s Future Oversight Committee.

·        Responsible for achieving a satisfactory rating annually as it relates to approved annual objectives.

·        Responsible for assuring that all direct reporting staff have achieved their annual development goals.

·        Performs other incidental and related duties as required and assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

·        5 to 10+ years of experience in Economic Development (that is, business recruitment, business retention/expansion and workforce).

·        Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation through the International Economic Development Council is preferred.

·        Successful track record in recruiting companies to a region or state.

·        Experience leading business recruitment, business retention/expansion and workforce teams.

·        Must be detail oriented with strong analytical and organizational skills.

·        Must possess strong interpersonal skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, insight into group dynamics, and the ability to develop and foster relationships.

·        Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation.

·        Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field.

·        Must have an advanced knowledge of business operations/strategies, economics, marketing, and finance.

·        Must possess sales and marketing skills, management skills, and leadership skills.

·        Must possess good public relations abilities and the ability to exercise good judgments independently.

·        Must possess working knowledge of computers, the internet, and Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)