Job Opening – Southern Vermont Economy Project Director

Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC)

Job Title:  Southern Vermont Economy Project Director

Reports to: Executive Director

Program Objectives & Requirements

The Southern Vermont Economy Project Director will provide operational responsibility for implementation of the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) project to be undertaken by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) in partnership with Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS).

This two year initiative occurs in the Southern Vermont Economic Development Zone created in 2015 by an act of the Vermont Legislature, and encompasses the 54 towns served by the Windham and Bennington regional development and planning organizations.  This designation encourages Windham and Bennington Regions, two of the most disadvantaged areas of the state, to collaborate on economic development activities for improved effectiveness. The RCDI project will prioritize collaboration and trainings of organizations located in the towns of Bennington and Readsboro, in Bennington County, Vermont and Rockingham and Brattleboro in Windham County, Vermont. The project will encourage participation from economic development entities in all communities located within the Zone.

BDCC, is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that serves as a catalyst for industrial and commercial growth throughout Southeastern Vermont.  The primary objective of the BDCC is to create and retain a flourishing business community that supports vibrant fiscal activity, and improves the quality of life of all of its residents.  As such, all BDCC employees are integral in assisting the organization to reach its objectives.  All staff are expected to participate in professional development activities led by the Executive Director as well as pursue opportunities individually.  The organization relies on all staff to help attend community and business meetings across the county.  Additionally, all staff are encouraged to publish professional papers establishing themselves, and the organization, as leaders in economic development in Southern Vermont.  Participation in these activities by all BDCC staff is critical to the BDCCs success.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Operations:

Develop and maintain a communications network among identified priority economic development entities and all other Southern Vermont regional development, planning, chamber of commerce, downtown and municipal economic development resources.

Facilitate Collaboration:

Inventory existing and needed economic and community development initiatives underway.

Facilitate multi-organizational and cross regional conversations about what initiatives and activities could be better delivered regionally, what need to stay local, and what projects and programs would be prioritized with additional capacity.

Conduct Trainings:

• Develop and coordinate trainings for multiple economic development entities across Southern Vermont.
• Digital collaboration for meetings.
• Data sharing and project collaboration.
• Identify data sources for measuring Southern Vermont on established goals.
• Project development, grant writing and fundraising.
• Facilitating the identification of Southern Vermont employment clusters.
• On Business Finance and Financing programs.
• Facilitating appropriate integration of Southern Vermont collegial, workforce and training programs.
• Understand appropriate state and federal resources, measuring impact and results.

Communications:

Coordination of print, email, web and social media communication, and maintain regular outreach in conjunction with BDCC/SeVEDS.

Other responsibilities:

Assist in other regional economic development programs as needed.

Organizational Support:

• Represent the BDCC at business and community meetings throughout the year; meetings are often at night and located across the county.
• Maintain current understanding of organization’s activities and able to represent organization as needed.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings, professional development and community outreach.
• Publish commentary, opinion editorials, and blogs demonstrating personal and organizational growth.

Qualifications

• Seven or more years’ experience leading long and short term economic development & planning.
• Knowledge of the communities in Southern Vermont.
• Experience in Vermont and Federal government affairs.
• Group facilitation and volunteer management.
• Excellent oral, written and social media communication skills.

Working conditions

Work is generally performed in an office setting with frequent interruptions, multiple deadlines, applicant inquires, and peak workload periods.  Position will require daily outreach to businesses, working with the public, and may include attendance at night meetings.  Travel is required as well as the ability to host virtual meetings.

Physical requirements

Work may include prolonged sitting, as well as light to moderate lifting, reaching, stooping, pulling, pushing, manual dexterity, clear speech, visual and hearing acuity.  The need to transport files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required.

Direct reports

None

Interested parties having the required qualification / experience should send a cover letter and their resume via email to bkilburn@brattleborodevelopment.com no later than Tuesday, July 12, 2016.  No phone calls please.

Note: 1st and 2nd round interviews will be scheduled for Monday, July 18 – Tuesday, July 26.