Jorgenson Pace on behalf of Big Sky Economic Development is hiring: Executive Di

Jorgenson Pace has been retained to conduct this executive search.

Big Sky Economic Development is seeking its next Executive Director, a leader dedicated to advancing economic growth and community development in Billings and Yellowstone County, Montana. Big Sky Economic Development (BSED) is a public-private partnership dedicated to sustaining and growing the vibrant economy and high quality of life in Yellowstone County.  

Reports to: EDA/EDC Board of Directors (32)

Staff: 26

Budget: $5.4M

Organizational Leadership

·         Support the engagement of the Board of Directors, helping them set strategic priorities for the economic development of the region and for the strategic direction of the organization.

·         Foster an environment that facilitates broad support for economic development in Billings, Yellowstone County, and the region, as well as strong support for the mission of the EDA/EDC.

·         Establish an organizational culture that promotes excellence in customer service delivery, sound financial management, and a passion for the success of clients and the communities served.

·         Develop and maintain interactive relationships with key stakeholders to cement mutually advantageous linkages and partnerships.

·         Act as a broker and facilitator with key community stakeholders to advance the region's economic growth.

·         Create a strong working relationship with the Yellowstone County Commissioners and other civic leaders within the community.

·         Foster, with elected officials, Board members, and stakeholders, a clear understanding of the basic role and functions of successful economic development.

·         Exercise considerable latitude and sound judgment concerning the operations of the organizations and in managing relationships with team members, stakeholders, and policymakers.

·         Act as a knowledgeable advocate in the public sphere for the key industries/businesses in the region, particularly in the context of economic development.

·         Maintain contacts, keep abreast of state and federal legislation and lobbying efforts, and work with other organizations to identify and advocate for key community and economic development tools and policies.

·         Partner and help facilitate the Strategy Partners collaboration objectives.

·         Attend community and economic development conferences and seminars on the organization's behalf while striving to be the subject matter expert for community and economic development.

·         Participate on the following Boards: MEDA Board of Directors (or designee), Downtown Billings Partnership Board of Directors, Billings Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, & Beartooth RC&D Board of Directors (or designee).

Program Responsibilities

·         Lead the Senior Directors Team in executing the program-level responsibilities for the organization, including work in the four quadrants of responsibility—Economic Development Programs, Financial Management and Lending, Engagement, and Recruitment, and Community Development.

·         Ensure that Big Sky EDC serves as a catalyst for sustainable economic and community growth in Billings and Yellowstone County.

·         Engage with EDC Member Investor outreach efforts and support the development of financial partnerships that support BSED programming.

·         Provide vision and direction for key public-facing functions and reports and strengthens the understanding and relationship BSED has with the community we serve—BSED Annual Meeting, Economic Pulse Report, and Annual BBER Economic Outlook Seminar.

Administrative Responsibilities

·         Develop Board agendas for Executive Committee and Board meetings in partnership with EDA and EDC Board Chairs and Senior Directors.

·         Facilitate all Executive Committee and Board meetings of EDA and EDC, along with key Board-level committees and special-project taskforce efforts.

·         Undertake and carry-out other duties and special projects as requested by the Boards.

·         On a quarterly basis, report to the EDA/EDC Board of Directors and county commissioners regarding the progress of the organization's activities, initiatives, and accomplishments.

·         Ensure all required government compliance measures and reports are completed and filed appropriately and timely to support the standing cooperative agreements and contacts to underwrite our core economic development programs.

·         Conduct occasional research on relevant policy issues and monitor legislation pertaining to economic development.

·         Attend briefings and hearings conducted by public entities and provide oral testimony as appropriate.

·         Ensure the maintenance of files, records, and other materials pertaining to the organization's daily operations.

·         Direct the strategic planning processes at the Board and staff level in partnership with the Senior Directors.

Public Relations Responsibilities

·         Serve as a visionary leader, inspiring confidence and enthusiasm among community members and staff. Engage and motivate the community by articulating a clear vision for economic development that reflects local values, encourages participation, and addresses both immediate and long-term challenges.

·         Cultivate and sustain meaningful partnerships with key stakeholders, including local, state, and federal officials, business leaders, educational institutions, and community organizations.

·         Provide strategy and guidance for all public relations, communications, and marketing efforts of the organization.

·         Perform public relations activities for specific projects, such as holding press conferences, conducting public meetings, and speaking to civic and business organizations.

·         Write briefing memos, speeches, and talking points and respond to requests for information from the press, Board, EDC members, government officials, and others.

Financial Responsibilities—Direct and Delegated

·         Develop the annual operating budget, work plans and goals, with input from the Senior Directors, for discussion and consideration by the Board of Directors for both EDC and EDA.

·         Monitor the EDA/EDC financial performance with the Senior Directors and regularly report to the Board on the EDA/EDC financial condition.

·         Review financial reporting on revenue and expenditures and other fiscal matters of the organization on a monthly basis in partnership with the Senior Finance Officer for the entire organization.

·         Monitor and support the performance of the BSED lending program—Big Sky Finance.

Supervisory Responsibilities

·         Lead and guide the senior directors and support the leadership of the staff to ensure consistent performance of the organization's full scope of duties and responsibilities.

·         Provide direct supervision of the Executive Assistant/Operations Lead to maintain the organization's and executive office's administrative functions.

·         Support the Work, Thrive, Live Initiative to encourage excellence in the work, professional development of the team, and a balance to support life outside of BSED.

·         Handle major human resource issues requiring executive-level consideration and action, utilizing in-house and outside HR consultation.

·         In partnership with the Operations Lead and Senior Directors, oversee the performance evaluation process.

·         Strategize with Senior Directors and program leaders on the development and refinement of program goals, work plans, and strategic direction for the BSED core programs.

·         Experience leading or overseeing economic development, including business retention and expansion, company attraction, talent attraction, workforce development and education, placemaking, and regional collaboration with local and state agencies and other organizations. 

·         Experience developing and executing strategic and capital plans for a multi-faceted organization.

·         Possesses business and financial acumen.

·         Competency to mediate and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.

·         History of creating programs and initiatives that focus on increasing economic vitality and quality of life.

·         Successful experience forging productive alliances across private, public, and governmental sectors and leading public/private partnerships.

·         Strong organizational and strategic planning skills.

·         Working knowledge of effective principles, practices, methods, and techniques of economic development practices and a good understanding of the challenges affecting local and regional industries.

·         Successful experience engaging, responding to, and leading a governing Board of Directors.

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey important, detailed concepts while fostering trust and encouraging vision and action.

·         A broad knowledge of various businesses and industries, with effectiveness in outreach, public relations, and building partnerships.

·         Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with EDA/EDC board members, employees, loan/grant applicants, bank officials, agribusiness leaders, state legislators, government officials (at the federal, state, and local levels), and the general public.

·         Working knowledge of the principles and practices of effective supervision, management, and leadership development.

·         General knowledge of financial management, accounting and auditing practices, procedures, program planning and evaluation, and private/public sector financing and incentive strategies.

·         Knowledge of business concerns, needs, practices, markets, relocation needs, and initiatives.

·         Knowledge of the techniques and principles of public relations and external community image building.