Director, Attractions Southeast Region

Salary range: $80,011 – $85,000, commensurate with education and work experience.

About the role

Manages and negotiates high-profile and highly competitive projects with emphasis on attracting new capital investment resulting in new job opportunities for Hoosiers; manages and oversees negotiations for other competitive projects within the Southeast Region.

Builds and maintains relationships with economic development partners within the State and in particular within the Southeast region and other regions as needed, acting as a professional resource for education and training of economic development and local elected officials.

Leads state and local economic development partners in presenting unified responses to company requests for proposals and site visits.

Visits local businesses, local elected officials, and development-related organizations to assess needs and identify opportunities for the IEDC.

Serves as primary Southeast Indiana regional Attractions liaison, utilizing and regularly updating IEDC leadership on regional activities.

Encourages collaboration between economic development partners within the IEDC and the Southeast region.

At the direction of and/or approval by IEDC leadership, provides representation on economic development-related partner organizations assisting Indiana’s economic development ecosystem.

Maintains confidentiality to protect the integrity of the client and State of Indiana.

Supports outside sales trips and other outside sales efforts in order to generate leads and raise Indiana brand awareness; responsible for attending conferences, out-of-state meetings, and events as needed.

Performs other critical Business Development functions as identified by Business Development and IEDC Leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in economic development, community development, urban planning, real estate, sales/business development, tax/regulatory law, or any of the core industries listed below.
• Eight years of post-graduate professional work experience, preferably in a client-facing role.
• Minimum five years’ experience working in the field of economic development.
• Appropriate business development/professional experience, particularly with an emphasis on business deal negotiation and/or government relations.
• Knowledge of core industries to the State of Indiana such as agribusiness (preferred), manufacturing, life sciences, mobility, microelectronics, and information technology.
• Knowledge of IEDC and other government-agency programs and processes, both in-state and in other states.
• Familiarity with IEDC business development processes and account management processes.
• Understanding of the region’s community and business development organizations, including local government officials, economic development leaders, business executives, and non-profit and community development organizations.
• Awareness of the region’s business climate, quality of place offerings, workforce makeup, and state economic development laws and trends.
• Understanding of Indiana government structure, including local government structure and how it engages with state government structures.
• Knowledge of local government incentive programs and administrative processes.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics CRM program or other similar client management systems.
• Ability to travel in-state and nationally as needed.
• Maintain residency within the Southeast Region, preferably near the IEDC’s primary offices, or willingness to relocate within the region.

Skills

• Engage a broad range of business professionals to generate desired project outcomes.
• Identify leverage in business deals through analysis of the overall context.
• Negotiate on behalf of the State of Indiana in complex business transactions, optimizing outcomes for Hoosier taxpayers.
• Lead state and local economic development partners in presenting unified responses to company requests for proposals.
• Develop relationships with local economic development officials, brokers, site selectors, and consultants to help develop economic development projects.
• Mentor and grow project managers in business transaction management, negotiation abilities, and interaction with businesses, government agencies, and local economic development offices.
• Analyze and evaluate needs of businesses and communities to determine appropriate levels of IEDC and other state, public, and private sector services.
• Communicate clearly and directly both orally and in writing, including public speaking and presentations.
• Navigate, use, and understand CRM-based databases and spreadsheets.

Benefits

• Three medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans.
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards.
• Health savings account, including bi-weekly state contribution.
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match.
• Two fully-funded pension plan options.
• Robust, comprehensive program of leave policies, including:
  • 160 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers.
  • Up to 16 hours of paid community service leave.
  • Combined 192 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off.
  • 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years.
• Education Reimbursement Program.
• Group life insurance.
• Referral Bonus program.
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits.
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Free parking for most positions.
• Free LinkedIn Learning access.