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252 222 6120

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Position Available

Carteret County Economic Development Executive Director

The Carteret County Economic Development Council, a private non-profit economic development group, is seeking applicants for the position of Executive Director due to current director’s impending retirement.  The Director works under the administrative direction of the Carteret County Economic Development Council Board of Directors.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, economics or related field supplemented by training and considerable professional experience in economic development; experience in successfully managing public/private organizations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  Master’s Degree preferred.

Duties include interaction and communications with management/owners of existing industry, citizens, state and federal officials, the N C Department of Commerce, NC Rural Center, NC’s Eastern Region and other economic development organizations. 

The incumbent represents the council at local, state and national events, attends workshops and conferences related to economic development, prepares technical reports, prepares and administers a board approved budget, prepares marketing materials and grant applications, serves on committees and boards that support the council’s mission, and monitors and takes action on environmental rules and regulations.

Work requires planning and timely execution, independent judgment, financial, socio-economic, legal and regulatory experience.  Candidates must have a thorough knowledge of effective principles, practices, methods and techniques of economic development and good understanding of challenges affecting economic development in a coastal environment. 

Additionally, candidates must have excellent written and verbal communications skills, including public speaking, strong professional public relations and marketing skills, along with the capacity to effectively manage economic development activities involving a mix of both public and non-profit private sector organizations.

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Applications will be received until January 30, 2010

Submit applications to the attention of the Search Committee:

Carteret County Economic Development Council, Inc

3615 Arendell Street

Morehead City, NC 28557

Equal Opportunity Employer

Carteret County Economic Development Council, Inc.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Executive Director

             1. Introduction. Carteret County Economic Development Council, Inc. (the “EDC”) is a nonprofit membership corporation responsible for economic development in Carteret County, North Carolina.  The EDC is a public/private partnership which receives approximately 75% of its funding from Carteret County, with the remaining 25% provided by member businesses and individuals.  The EDC is governed by a fourteen person Board of Directors. There shall be ten regular directors, one member of the Carteret County Commissioners and two (2) non-voting, ex officio members being the Carteret County Manager, and the Chair of the Carteret County Economic Development Council Advisory Committee.  The President of Carteret Community College shall serve as a standing member of the Board of Directors as a regular director.  As of November 2009, the EDC staff consists of a full-time Executive Director, a full-time Assistant Director, a part-time Marine Science Coordinator, and a part-time receptionist.

             2. Purposes of the EDC.  The EDC was formed in 1971 to assist Carteret County in (i) creating jobs and improving the quality of jobs, and (ii) expanding the tax base.  Because natural resources are important to many industry segments in Carteret County, including tourism, commercial fishing and retirement, the EDC is charged with promoting planned and responsible economic development which respects the natural environment in the county.  The general divisions of responsibilities between the EDC, the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Development Authority are as follows:

             • EDC: anything involving direct job creation or retention; infrastructure

            • Chamber: personal relocation to area, including retirees; education

            • TDA: promoting Carteret County (the Crystal Coast) for tourism

There is some overlap of interest/jurisdiction between the three organizations. The EDC and Chamber are both involved in transportation, water/sewer utilities, military and education issues, although the Chamber is more active on military and education issues. The EDC and TDA work collaboratively on projects that enhance tourism but also generate additional employment.

             3. Executive Director Responsibilities. The responsibilities of the Executive Director fall generally within the following five categories: (i) organizational administration, (ii) business retention, expansion and recruitment, (iii) membership services, (iv) infrastructure/regulatory issues, and (v) public advocacy.  Each of these areas of responsibility is more specifically described below.

             (i) Organizational Administration. The incumbent is the Chief Operating Officer of the EDC.  The incumbent is responsible for hiring, supervising and evaluating all employees of the organization, subject to the approval by the Board of all compensation for staff.  The incumbent will be responsible for the business and financial affairs of the EDC, including preparation of monthly financial statements/reports and coordination of the annual audit.  The incumbent shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors unless excused, and shall prepare or cause to be prepared minutes of such meetings. The incumbent shall ensure compliance by the EDC with all laws and regulations, and with the organization’s bylaws and articles of incorporation.

             (ii) Business Retention, Expansion and Recruitment. The incumbent will be responsible for implementing programs to assist existing businesses (whether or not EDC members) with retention and expansion, by providing technical assistance or referrals when necessary, and on such other matters as may be required.  The incumbent shall direct the marketing and recruitment efforts of the EDC, which will include development and administering a marketing plan, cultivating relationships with the North Carolina Department of Commerce staff, allies in the utility, banking, rail and port industries, and consultants and coordinating activities with regional organizations such as North Carolina Eastern Region. The incumbent shall work with Carteret County and municipal governments within the county to develop sites and building for new business, and shall coordinate the development and marketing of one or more industrial/business parks in the county.  The incumbent shall endeavor to maintain good working relationships with local existing industries, the administrations of Carteret Community College, Carteret County Schools, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and its affiliated Naval Aviation Depot, and local marine sciences institutions.

             (iii) Membership Services.   The incumbent will coordinate all membership activities of the EDC.  Such activities shall include membership recruitment and renewals, and other fund-raising activities.  The incumbent will coordinate all membership meetings and functions.  The incumbent will be responsible for membership communications and respond to all requests of members, and will prepare a newsletter for periodic distribution to members.

             (iv) Infrastructure/Regulatory Issues.  The incumbent shall perform such tasks as are necessary to enhance highway, rail and port improvements in Carteret County.  In addition, the incumbent will maintain regular communication with electric utility providers in Carteret County, the administration of the Global TransPark, the Port of Morehead City, and natural gas providers in eastern North Carolina.  The incumbent shall be knowledgeable about county and regional water and sewer expansion efforts, and shall work with Carteret County, its municipalities and state and federal regulators when necessary to promote the need for expanded water and sewer utilities.  Because Carteret County is subject to a wide range of federal, state and local water, air and land use regulations, the incumbent will be expected to be reasonably knowledgeable about laws and regulations affecting development activities in the county, and endeavor to maintain a good working relationship with federal, state and local regulators and planning agencies.

             (v) Public Advocacy.  The incumbent will be the chief spokesperson for the EDC and for economic development in Carteret County.  The incumbent will be expected to speak in a variety of public forums, including appearances before the Carteret County Commissioners and municipal councils, state and federal public hearings, and local civic and service organizations.  The incumbent will coordinate all media relations, including the preparation of all press releases from the EDC office.  The incumbent will maintain regular and open communication with the Carteret County Commissioners and Carteret County Manager.  Incumbent’s background and experience should demonstrate the ability to work effectively within the social and political climate of Carteret County.

             (vi) Other Responsibilities.  The incumbent will undertake such other responsibilities as shall be assigned by the EDC Board of Directors such as facilitation of community development initiatives and grant writing projects.

            4. Professionalism.  The incumbent shall act professionally and with good judgment in matters professional and personal.  The incumbent shall be expected to act ethically and maintain the integrity of the profession and organization.  The incumbent is expected to maintain active participation in professional economic development organizations and to seek professional improvement and continuing education.  The incumbent is encouraged to become a Certified Economic Developer.

             5. Compensation and Benefits.  The incumbent serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.  All compensation and benefits, and all other conditions of employment, shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.