President

AREA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC.

MOUNT VERNON, KNOX COUNTY, OHIO

PRESIDENT
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Title: President

Position Available: March 2020 (applications due by January 31, 2020; see below)

Organizational Structure: The Area Development Foundation, Inc. (the “ Foundation”) was created in the mid-1950s by unusually forward-thinking community leaders to develop the Mount Vernon
Enterprise Complex. In the 1980s, the Foundation grew its focus to encompass all Knox County, and today stands as the central clearinghouse for economic development expertise and activities in Knox
County. This involves responsibilities from negotiating public-private development deals to problem- solving / government relations-type work for employers in the county.

The organization is incredibly dynamic, handling a high volume of interest from local, regional, and state-level stakeholders interested in development opportunities in Knox County. This is not a typical
9-to-5 working environment, as staff are called upon to handle a range of work tasks and responsibilities that change daily.

Of particular relevance to this position, the Foundation is charged with administering economic development financial incentives and strategies across Knox County’s political subdivisions. This position oversees the various commercial, industrial, and residential development opportunities that arise across the entire county and employs economic development best practices to define each appropriate response.

Further, the Foundation has assumed a role of helping local political jurisdictions and community groups with obtaining professional planning services, as well as directly providing community planning-related advice and recommendations to individuals and entities in need of assistance.

Job Brief: The President sets the tone and direction for the Foundation’s economic development practice. He or she exercises judgment as to how Knox County and its constituent political subdivisions attract and retain commercial and industrial development in the fastest growing metropolitan region in
Ohio and the Midwest. Working with and for the Foundation’s Board of Directors, the President is the go-to individual in Knox County for information and intelligence on all-things development related.

The President is a professional administrator providing executive level, detail-oriented direction and support to the Foundation’s staff team, its collaborative partners, and constituent investors. He or she is the point person deciding on all aspects of the Foundation’s operations, including negotiating and structuring economic development financial incentive deals, real estate acquisition and disposition decisions, business recruitment and public relations efforts, and city and regional planning and economic development best practices.

The work of the President will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

§ Provides daily administrative support and guidance to the Foundation and its staff team, including setting policy, identifying development opportunities, and structuring deals. This includes maintaining close relationships with local elected officials, business owners, members of the public, and developers to insure that Knox County capitalizes on development opportunities.

§ Administers the Foundation’s daily operations, completing tasks related to payroll and human resources, program management and reporting, financial operations, annual budgeting, and facilities.

§ Sets forth and implements Knox County’s business retention and expansion program, markets and promotes Knox County as a superior location for business attraction projects.

§ Demonstrates sound judgment in deploying financial and nonfinancial assistance programs to satisfy current and incoming businesses’ project financing and completion gaps.

§ Directs the Foundation’s regular fundraising efforts to generate revenue sufficient to support the organization, with funds sourced from the public and private sectors.

§ Markets and promotes the Knox County Revolving Loan Fund as a local tool for small to medium- sized businesses’ financing needs.

§ Advertises and promotes “shovel ready” industrial land opportunities available for lease or purchase in Knox County, including parcels owned by the Foundation or private individuals or entities.

§ Provides sound planning advice, based on his or her training and experience, to local constituent groups and political jurisdictions in need of information as to city and regional planning best practices.

§ Manages and promptly responds to all incoming business prospect inquiries for available properties, including leads sourced from JobsOhio, One Columbus (formerly known as Columbus2020), private companies, and real estate brokers as needed.

§ Represents the Foundation before local, regional, and state-level partner organizations and at regional and national events and conferences.

§ Additional duties as defined by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The President should have education and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: urban planning, business or public administration, or other related field, and demonstrated work experience in a relevant corporate, real estate, legal, or public sector professional setting. The successful candidate will clearly demonstrate the following attributes necessary to the job:

• Commitment to the mission of the Foundation to develop economic and community opportunities across Knox County.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced office with priorities that may change daily; one never knows what the next ringing phone call will require of the Foundation’s chief executive.

• Exemplary interpersonal skills.
• Persistent and excellent follow-through.
• Strong oral and written communication abilities.
• Resourceful problem solver with attention to details.
• Ability to meet deadlines, use time efficiently, prioritize work obligations, and work independently and effectively as a team leader.

• Ability to handle difficult situations and conflicts with a positive attitude and professionalism.
• Ability to maintain a professional, positive image within the community and with stakeholders, community residents, vendors, elected officials, and other staff members.
• Proficient skill with office software, including Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and Excel; familiarity with Apple products and software a plus.

Work Conditions: Extended working hours from time-to-time; ability to sit in front of a computer for long periods of time.

Persons interested in this position should submit a resume and cover letter no later than 5:00 p.m. on
Friday, January 31, 2020, to the attention of:

Area Development Foundation, Inc.

Attn: Hiring Committee
P.O. Box 29

Mount Vernon, OH 43050

Questions should be directed to (740) 393-3806.

The Area Development Foundation, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

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Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $72,000.00 /year

Experience:

• corporate, real estate, legal, or public sector: 1 year (Preferred)

Education:

• Bachelor’s (Preferred)

License:

• economic development field-recognized (Preferred)

Additional Compensation:

• Other forms

Work Location:

• One location

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• Flexible schedule