Director of Business Opportunities
LOCATION: Harry S Truman Building – 301 W. High Street, Jefferson City, MO
TRAVEL: In-State approximately 1-2 times per month, Out-of-state approximately 1-2 times per year
SALARY: $110,000 – $130,000
#TeamDED is an energetic environment that encourages economic growth by supporting Missouri’s businesses and diverse industries, strengthening our communities, developing a talented and skilled workforce, and maintaining a high quality of life. Together, #WeHelpMissouriansProsper.
Why You’ll Love This Position:This is an exciting new leadership opportunity within the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) as we transform our Business & Community Solutions Division. This position will focus on enabling and improving effective internal operations across the Business and Redevelopment Finance Teams. We are seeking an effective communicator, someone who is analytical, a creative problem solver, and who can also be decisive and collaborative.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead the Business Development and Redevelopment Finance Teams
- Manage a complex portfolio of financial programs including 14+ active programs totaling annual awards of $300M+
- Assist program leaders with various business development and redevelopment finance tax credits and withholding programs
- Lead the coordination with Regional Engagement Division teammates, customers, subject matter experts, and partner organizations on existing or new processes and programmatic administration
- Collaborate effectively with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders
- Balance multiple stakeholder needs and interests to find optimal solutions (e.g. customer, team, and taxpayers)
- Drive successful resolution to unexpected challenges or opportunities, whether addressing a customer concern, answering legislator’s question, or otherwise
- Rapidly learn and understand complex topics and effectively communicatethem to customers, teammates, and other stakeholders (e.g. legislators, and other agencies) in written Decision Requests, Issue Briefs, and live presentations
- Coach and assist Team Leaders and their teams to produce excellent results for our customers through accountability, customer service, process improvement, and innovation
- Ensure performance management infrastructure is in place across functional teams, including KPI development and measurement
- Build and institutionalize a culture of innovation to ensure that our people, programs, processes, and customer service meet our customers’ changing needs
- Manage programs involving complicated laws, guidelines, and processes
- Influence and align the Business Opportunities team’s strategic direction
- Prepare and manage team budgets and expenses
- Additional duties as needed/assigned
All You Need for Success:Nine or more years of successful leadership experience in the economic development sector or a similar field involving business or community growth, excellent customer service, and data decision – making. This can be obtained through a combination of work experience and completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, Community or Economic Development, Economics, or a closely related field.
Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis for denying consideration to any applicant.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Successful team leadership and project management experience, including managing direct reports and training team members
- Proficiency and passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement – Familiarity with and experience implementing Lean/Six Sigma concepts is helpful
- Experience interpreting and applying state statutes, rules, and guidelines (federal a plus)
- Experience working with state tax requirements (individual and corporate)
- Strong preference for experience working with state tax credit and/or withholding programs (management of them a plus)
- Strong preference for experience creating new state programs and understanding steps, considerations, risks, and best practices
- Strong preference for successful project management or similar experience working alongside business and community leaders, elected officials, economic development professionals, regional planning commissions, or councils of government
- High-level work quality, including: Personal ownership and accountability and excellent communications skills (both written and verbal)
- Ability to rapidly learn and understand complex topics and effectively communicate them
- Demonstrated commitment to exceptional customer service
- Ability to prioritize work, work efficiently and productively
- Ability to function and adjust in a fast paced and busy environment
- Skill in collecting, analyzing, and organizing complex technical data to guide decisions and operations
- Proficiency in building and analyzing Microsoft Excel spreadsheets
More reasons to love this position:
The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here .
If you have questions about this position please contact DED Human Resources at HRHelpdesk@ded.mo.gov .
The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.