• Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation
  • Serving Cumberland County
  • Pennsylvania’s destination for business and leisure
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Position Available: Director of Economic Development

Purpose: The Director of Economic Development supports the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation’s (CAEDC) mission of leveraging and promoting Cumberland Valley’s economic development and tourism to drive growth, create jobs and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Cumberland Valley. The Director has a collaborative approach, builds relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders, and has a comprehensive knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of economic development.

Company Core Values:

  • Partner-Centric
  • Accountable
  • Integrity
  • Results Driven
  • Education
  • Innovation

Essential Functions:

  • Cooperates with the Interim Executive Administrator to fulfill all Economic Development Director responsibilities as needed to support the economic development efforts within the industry.
  • Creates and implements strategies for economic development to include business attraction, business expansion and business retention.
  • Support’s CAEDC’s redevelopment and reuse strategy through oversight and direct support to the Real Estate Collaborative (REC), including management of owned properties and identification of redevelopment opportunities.
  • Oversees CAEDC’s workforce initiative for existing retention and prospective business relocation.
  • Identifies and leverages public funding programs and solutions to aid Cumberland County business growth (TIF, LERTAs, new market or historic tax credits, PA Military Enhancement Commission, Opportunity zone, remediation, etc.).
  • Leverages Commonwealth and internal funding program uses and resources to support business growth initiatives.
  • Recommends and manages the approved economic development budget for the Corporation.
  • Cultivates strategic partnerships and relationships with industry interest or civic groups, municipal and governmental entities, Chambers and other NGOs in Cumberland County that directly support the County’s economic health and mission.
  • Supports CAEDC brand initiatives including direct outreach, speaking engagements, events and communications in written form for publication.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies:

  • Leadership/Supervision
  • Judgment
  • Accountability/Responsibility
  • Dependability
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Selling Ability
  • Cooperation/Teamwork
  • Goal Orientation

Education: Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s preferred, in related field and a minimum of five years’ experience in economic development, public/private funding solutions, legislative and community engagement or an equivalent combination of education and professional work experience. Project planning and management certifications or related work experience and CEcD certification preferred.

Language Skills: Ability to respond to common inquiries from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to a prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards or directors.

Reasoning Skills: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish fact, and draw valid conclusions.

Certifications or Licenses: Valid Driver’s License

Other Skills and Abilities:

  • Strong experience in a senior role with experience in economic development
  • Strong ability to create and direct or manage innovative programs, policies, or processes
  • Experience in working with economic development and governmental agencies
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow procedures designed to ensure protection of sensitive information
  • Ability to maintain relationships and interact with elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels
  • Ability to work with and communicate effectively with a diverse range of contacts
  • Ability to make quick decisions with high level impact
  • Flexible and adaptable/willing to take on new challenges as needed by the agency
  • Analytical thinking/detail oriented
  • Self-starter, organized and willing to travel and work evenings or weekends
  • Proficiency with all MS Office applications

Physical Environment: Working conditions varies from a typical office environment to business functions or meetings whether in an office setting or at an event venue (inside or outside). Work requires the ability to sit and stand throughout an extended workday; position requires use of fingers, hands, and arms on a consistent basis for keyboarding and phone work; position requires the ability to talk and hear; position may need to lift up to twenty-five pounds on occasion.

Interested candidates should send a Cover Letter and Resume to:

Lori Lighty, Office Manager at [email protected]

The Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. The Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

Position remains open until filled.

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