Vice President of Economic Development & Government Affairs (Laredo)

SUMMARY:

The Vice President of Economic Development & Government Affairs is responsible for bridging private development initiatives and public sector entities. This position is responsible for securing financial incentives, navigating local, state, and federal regulations, and building partnerships with community leaders to maximize project feasibility, long-term value, and community alignment while supporting the company’s growth and development objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Develops, assists, and helps with negotiating long-term strategies for deploying economic development tools to assist with development and construction growth plans
• Identifying, evaluating, and securing economic development tools, such as tax abatements, and grants for projects.
• Partner with real estate teams to attract high-quality tenants, retailers, and developers to company-owned properties.
• Lead business recruitment and development efforts for the company across different industry sectors.
• Identify existing industries with expansion efforts and manage relationships with local businesses.
• Research community impact on development efforts to ensure business goals are accomplished.
• Support economic research to advance business growth.
• Negotiate business development grants, loans, and investment packages with local, state, or federal government.
• Engage with stakeholders, including government officials, educators, and community leaders to align regional interests.
• Build and maintain relationships with governmental, community, and business leaders to facilitate development projects.
• Utilize economic data, GIS mapping, and market trends to identify prime locations and economic opportunities.
• Oversee, direct, and monitor real estate and site development programs to ensure compliance with company goals.
• Collaborate with internal departments on economic development projects.
• Manage current and future Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) agreements.
• Lead Municipal Management Districts (MMD) partnerships and Municipal Utility Districts (MUD) and any other special districts or economic development tools
• Actively seek new business opportunities through networking and outreach.
• Participate in town hall meetings, City Council, Planning and Zoning, MPO, State and Federal meetings, non-profits, conferences, workshops and community development events to establish and build business networks.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree required, with master’s degree (MBA, Economics, Public Policy) preferred. Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

Must have over ten (10) years in economic development, corporate real estate, business finance, or related roles.

SKILLS:

Must have the following skills and/or abilities:

• Proficient in Windows operating systems and associated software
• High level negotiation skills
• Ability to lead, present to executives or public boards, and manage complex projects
• Experience working with city, county, state, and federal agencies
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work with community and governmental leaders effectively
• Knowledge of trends, developments, and techniques in the field of economic development

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:

Must have a current driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to perform the following physical activity on a frequent to constant basis:

• Sit for long periods of time while gathering, updating, and validating vendor or supplier cost information or performing other related activities.
• Lift 10–20 lbs. of files, plans, office supplies, or similar items.
• Constantly uses fingers and hands when dialing/answering the telephone and operating a computer or other office machinery, such as a copy machine, scanner, and computer printer.
• Ability to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information through verbal communications in person or detect objects in and around job site over the telephone.
• Average, ordinary visual acuity necessary to prepare or inspect documents; operate a computer or other office machinery; or.
• Walk short distances on slippery, even, and/or uneven surfaces.
• Stand, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, turn, or crawl.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Majority of work is performed in an office atmosphere located inside a building, with building inspections as needed.
• May require infrequent job site visits involve performing work in outdoor weather conditions with exposure to extreme cold, heat, and noise depending upon project site.
• Travel locally and between cities where development is in progress will be expected.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to:

• Adhere to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, professionalism, and discretion.
• Project a courteous, professional and positive approach with clients, subcontractors, employees, and authorizing agencies while providing prompt, efficient, and accurate assistance.
• Follow and exchange basic instructions, information, and guidelines.
• Direct and instructs Sub-Contractors effectively with a leadership style that is firm, fair, consistent, and goal oriented.
• Nurture a working environment which encourages employee loyalty, longevity, and satisfaction.
• Creates a culture of customer satisfaction.
• Make independent decisions based on experience or knowledge with minimal supervision.
• Participate in training and development opportunities offered to maintain construction-related software and safety knowledge.
• Communicate and comprehend instructions/directions in accordance with safety requirements, which necessitate no language barriers exist between employees and supervisors.
• Adhere to and perform functions according to company and OSHA safety guidelines.
• Wear personal protective equipment as required such as steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, hard hat, vest, and the like while conducting job site visits.
• Maintain regular, timely, and predictable attendance.