Director of
NC Economic Development Partnership

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Director of the NC Economic Development Partnership will have primary responsibility for building alliances for economic development and connecting the unique strengths of NC State University (NCSU) to appropriate agencies and industry clusters.  Consistent with the University’s statewide land grant mission, these alliances include a significant partnership between NCSU and the NC Department of Commerce (NCDOC). Locally, the Director will work with Wake County Economic Development and other agencies to utilize the University’s extension, teaching, research and knowledge and technology transfer capabilities to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of North Carolina’s existing and traditional industries as well as technology-based emerging companies.

Specific (core) job functions include:

• Improve the accessibility of institutional resources through a comprehensive entry “portal” connecting industry, whether resident or under recruitment, with needed university expertise, facilities, interns and graduates, new technologies and best practices. 
• Coordinate corporate and partner recruiting activities with NCSU’s Centennial Campus Partnership Office (CCPO).
• Enhance competitiveness of North Carolina firms and industries through rapid response and organization of university resources, facilities, knowledge, people and technologies to deliver practical solutions.  Work closely with NCSU’s Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) to identify NCSU technologies that may be useful in this endeavor.
• Enhance knowledge transfer by connecting current campus partnerships to economic development opportunities through NCDOC, regional and county personnel, and other key collaborators.
• Support university entrepreneurship efforts in teaching, research and outreach.
• Expand NCSU economic development capacities through aggressive grants and contracts development and acquisition.
• Develop a comprehensive network for interaction between NCDOC, NCSU and current and desired industries and firms. 
• Partner effectively with NCSU’s Industrial Extension Service (IES), Cooperative Extension Service (CES), Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), and College Extension programs to advance the science, technology and economic development projects of NCSU. 

Additional areas of responsibility include the following:

• Collaborate with Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) and the School of Public and International Affairs, (SPIA) and other units to provide increased public policy analysis through multi-sectored work groups, consultations, workshops, publications, and engagement of students, faculty and public officials.
• Collaborate with appropriate university colleges and offices to improve systems to develop and deliver credit and non-credit training to:
• Communities and economic developers seeking to enhance an area’s attractiveness to industry or build regional industry/innovation clusters
• Industry leaders seeking second-generation workforce education to complement that already provided by North Carolina’s Community College system, particularly in developing continuing and lifelong learning.
• Document and report results of performance in quantitative terms (for example, technologies licensed to resident firms, tangible support to existing industry, training and venture capital, job created and retained) as well as qualitative measures (such as the geographic distribution of generated benefits and formation of new collaborations to meet partnering goals).

Required Qualifications: MA/MS in appropriate discipline, and 3 years of progressively responsible experience in economic development program delivery in extension, outreach or public service, or a combination of suitable (MA/MS) educational background and professional certification in economic development. Applicants should have demonstrated leadership and communications skills.  

Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated knowledge, skills and experience in program strategic planning and implementation, business development, and economic development programming; strong collaborative and partnering/networking skills with the private, public and university sectors. 

Salary and benefits: Salary will commensurate with professional qualifications and experience.  Employee/employer contributory retirement programs, worker’s compensation, paid vacation, and sick leave.

Optional Benefits Offered: Other benefits offered include disability income protection insurance, group health insurance for family members, employee group life insurance, group accident insurance, tax-deferred investment program, deferred compensation investment program, prepaid legal insurance, faculty club membership, employee credit union services, and study leave.

The job posting can be viewed at:  http://ncsu.edu/jobs.  The Position Number is C-98.0704.

Interested applicants should electronically submit their application with a letter of intent, resume, and the names and addresses of three references by October 15, 2007.

The search committee will begin reviewing applications October 15, 2007, with a hire date of January 1, 2008. 

North Carolina State University is an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer.  The University strongly encourages all qualified applicants to apply.  Individuals with disabilities needing special accommodations during the application process should call Cindy Maciejewski at 919-513-1562.  Proper documentation of identity and employability will be required.  NC State University welcomes all persons without regard to sexual orientation.