Director of Business and Expansion

Overview

Description The Director of Business Growth & Expansion is primarily responsible for identifying and attracting new economic development projects to the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region and assisting local businesses with expansion in the region. Responsibilities include leading strategy development for new targeted markets, assisting with national marketing trips, attending trade shows and industry related events, meeting with local employers to identify expansion potential within the region, and maintaining a strong working relationship with state and local partners.

The position oversees business innovation and entrepreneurship efforts and coordinates all aspects of the business recruitment and expansion process including identification, site and building selection assistance, financial incentive identification & application assistance, and workforce recruitment & training. This position will travel up to 30% of the year, including throughout the 12-county region, throughout the nation and international travel as needed.

• Heavy sales focus to fill funnel with project leads through proactive relationship-building throughout the region, state, national and globe.
• Identifies, develops and proposes new business segment opportunities for recruitment purposes and opportunities to improve local economic development preparedness.
• In cooperation with the Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, develops strong relationships with university partners to connect local businesses to research and development opportunities and business assistance programs offered.
• Oversees work related to supporting entrepreneurs and building the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, including growth opportunities coming out of university programs.
• In cooperation with Director of Economic Development, assists with business recruitment efforts, economic development project marketing/sales, and prospect visits.
• Develops and participates in recruitment trips to identified major metropolitan areas by proactive outreach to schedule meetings and managing trip details.
• Implements data-driven lead generation activities (virtual and in-person). Examples:
  Sales Navigator, Gazelle, Leadfeeder, etc.
• Plans, executes and attends trade show marketing trips.
• Creative problem-solving, opportunity-generator.
• Supports Existing Industry Program to identify potential expansions.
• Serves as a point of contact in the Greater Des Moines region for business executives to access information on local business expansions, new business locations, or business relocations.
• Serves as a liaison between business executives and state & local officials to address business development issues.
• Develops and gives presentations on the advantages of doing business in DSM.
• Understands and can articulate information regarding state, local and federal economic development programs.
• Develops and maintains a network of business contacts to identify expansion opportunities and assists with the external headquarters visitation program.
• Develops and maintains a strong relationship with local economic development and real estate partners.
• Documents and prepares information for SVP of Economic Development as needed.
• Leads special projects and initiatives as identified.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Must be comfortable with public speaking engagements.
• Excellent sales and relationship management.
• Ability to see pathways to grow and support multi-sector relationships.
• Simultaneously manage several tasks, prioritize and solve problems proactively and on short notice.
• Excellent human relations skills and good understanding of group dynamics.
• Strong overall organizational and Investor relations abilities.
• Strong written and oral communications.
• Proficient in office technology.
• Highly self-motivated.
• Team player with “we over me” approach.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Public Administration, Urban Planning & Development, or other business-related field. Experience in economic development is preferred.
• Continued education in economic development courses or business training courses.
• Minimum 3-5 years of related experience.