Director Economic Development

Director Economic Development

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Engineering, Finance, Business Administration or related field
• Seven years of industry-specific or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated strategic and analytical skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with ability to build relationships and achieve objectives through collaboration with multiple entities both within and outside the organization
• Demonstrated ability to strategically manage economic development projects

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop and strategically manage projects to strengthen our communities throughout PSO’s territory
• Encourage and assist in building broad stakeholder coalitions to advance the Company’s economic development and public policy goals
• Develop a thorough understanding of the technical requirements for connecting to the electric grid and drive understanding with potential customers
• Maintain relationships and ongoing communications with the State Department of Development, other applicable state-level departments and agency heads, legislative leaders, and the States’ Public Utilities Commission members and staff in order to serve effectively as the liaison between the company and these government and economic development leaders on economic development policy and issues
• Maintain relationships with regional and local economic development organizations and local community leaders engaged in economic development to serve effectively as the liaison between the company and these government and economic development leaders on economic development policy and issues
• Serve as the spokesperson and advocate for corporate positions on economic development policy or major end-use customers on Company issues with state legislators, regulators, major customers, community leaders, and economic development professionals
• Serve as company witness before state legislative committees or before the state public utility commission regarding economic development issues and policy
• Coordinate and ensure effective PSO representation on applicable state-level industry associations and serve as the company’s board representative on these associations as they relate to economic development
• Act as a resource for external stakeholders and employees on industry and Company economic development issues
• Identify economic and business development policy needs, develop positions on economic development policies for influencing the public debate, and inform affected business units of economic development policy decisions
• Provide ongoing updates to the PSO President and other members of the Leadership Team on economic & business development issues/policy changes at the local, region and state level

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Economic Development Professional designation or similar certification preferred
• Master’s degree preferred