Your Wonderful Opportunity Awaits

Executive Director

Reports To: Board of Directors

Job Type: Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Pay: Commensurate with experience – The Board is prepared to meet or exceed the compensation requirements of highly qualified applicants.

Position Overview: Under the general direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for the overall mission of the Economic Development Alliance, including providing vision and leadership in implementing a comprehensive program of work in business investment, asset development, talent attraction, and market intelligence. This position ensures quality, responsiveness, efficiency, and effectiveness in all aspects of the organization’s work.

Essential Job Functions

The following statements describe the essential functions of this position and its scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

• Build consensus among diverse stakeholders, create and implement unique strategies, and demonstrate results.

• Foster cooperation between key stakeholders including local governments, private businesses, and higher education.

• Develop effective approaches to meeting 21st-century challenges in economic development.

• Build strong, productive, and loyal teams through communication, mentoring, goal setting, and empowerment.

• Engage with members of the Board of Directors and local government officials through regular communications that emphasize activities, benefits, and outcomes.

• Serve as spokesperson for the organization to board members, government leaders, media, and the business community, or assign responsibility to staff members when appropriate.

• Lead the organization’s strategic communications and digital engagement efforts to raise community awareness of economic development initiatives, leveraging tools such as social media and website content.

• Develop and deliver programming that engages and informs investors, strengthens relationships, and demonstrates the value of their support.

• Advance the Wonderful Walton brand through consistent messaging, creative content, and a proactive public presence that reflects the mission and momentum of the organization.

• Engage local economic development partner governments through organizational support, shared services, idea-sharing, and ongoing communications.

• Partner with other organizations in the innovation ecosystem to accelerate the formation and growth of start-up companies.

• Learn and leverage current trends in investment, including understanding the most active sectors and source regions for new investments.

• Engage corporate decision-makers at industry conferences, trade shows, and other related events.

• Develop a strategic plan for the Walton County EDA.

• Develop strategic partnerships with other localities.

• Develop state and federal legislative agendas.

• Perform other special assignments designated by the Board of Directors.

• Perform other work as directed and required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of business attraction, marketing, relationship sales, real estate development, and asset monetization.

• Knowledge of digital communications, public engagement strategies, and modern branding techniques for community and economic development organizations.

• Knowledge in business planning and promotion, market analysis, relevant municipal legislation, and financial management.

• Knowledge of the changing dynamics of business and what is required to attract business investments to a community.

• Knowledge of Emerald Coast economic conditions.

• Skill in project management and managing several projects.

• Skill in creative and strategic thinking.

• Ability to present accurate work with strong attention to detail in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment while being held accountable for overall results.

• Ability to travel extensively as required.

• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and to take a teamwork approach to the job by cooperating with others, offering help when needed, and considering larger organization or team goals rather than individual concerns.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with citizens, coworkers, elected and appointed officials, and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or political affiliation.

Qualifications, Education, and Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a major in economic development, urban planning, economics, marketing, business, or a related discipline.

• Five (5) or more years of professional experience in economic development, job and investment attraction, or substantial experience within business and industry or as a marketing professional.

• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred:

• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) or completion within 12 to 24 months of hire.

• Professional experience in applying for grant funding.

• Experience in a management position.

• Experience in sales and marketing with a strong understanding of the site selection process, including the preparation of competitive proposals, presentations, and promotional materials tailored to attract and retain targeted business and industry prospects.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The following physical activities are necessary to perform one or more essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. This position may be required to report for work when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Walton County.

• Sits or stands for long periods of time.

• Communicates effectively in person or by using telecommunications equipment.

• Creates documents, reports, etc., using a writing instrument (such as a pencil or pen) or computer.

• Grasps, turns, and manipulates objects of varying size and weight, requiring fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

• Moves, lifts, carries, and places objects weighing up to 25 pounds without assistance.

• Work is performed mostly in an office setting where the noise level is usually quiet.

• Travels between locations to effectively address the business needs of the department.