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Washington Career Opportunity – Executive Director – Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA)

Salary Range: $90,000 – $110,000 DOE/DOQ

Applications due electronically by 3/11/08

The Job

The Executive Director of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance collaborates with private industry, the community, and local governments to diversify Kitsap County’s economy by increasing the number and variety of primary jobs. The Executive Director is a community leader working on existing business expansion and new business recruitment by creating a hospitable business climate and ensuring public support for economic development.

The Executive Director reports to an active 39-member volunteer board of which s/he is a member, serves as its Secretary, and, through a staff of three, leads efforts to create stable, sustained growth and a competitive future for Kitsap County.

The Director is a facilitator among diverse groups of private and public organizations, creating and maintaining excellent working relationships among the groups to create the best environment for growth.

The Kitsap EDA Priorities are:

Business Retention & Expansion – To keep local enterprises in the area and to support their continued growth and expansion

Business Financing and Incentives – To identify and help create the tools necessary for growing business in Kitsap County

Workforce and Education – As workforce availability and depth continue to play a bigger part in our community’s ability to grow and compete, programs and incentives regarding workforce and education become an integral component of the economic development work plan

Additionally, the board is committed to making government a true partner in economic development. Support and insight as work continues in permitting processes and procurement policies help achieve this goal.

KEDA is a private, non-profit 501 (c) 6 corporation.

The Setting

Kitsap County is located on the west side of Puget Sound with easy connections to downtown Seattle via the Washington State Ferries from Bainbridge Island and Bremerton, and by highway to Tacoma and Olympia. A peninsula with 236 miles of saltwater shoreline bordered by Puget Sound and the pristine Hood Canal, Kitsap County is the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula, a scenic national recreation area. With a forested and rural landscape, Kitsap County offers the best of Northwest living and recreation, fine K-12 schools, an excellent community college, high quality medical facilities, and friendly, diverse communities.

The major employer for the county is Naval Base Kitsap, made up of installations at Bangor, Bremerton and Keyport. The Navy, civilian workers and associated Department of Defense contractors have provided a strong economic foundation for many years.

The population of the county is just over 240,000 and growing. Bremerton, Kitsap County’s largest city, is experiencing a major transformation, with public and private partnerships providing important impetus for its revitalization. The City of Bremerton has received both regional and national recognition for this exciting renaissance.

Great strides have been made in land use for business and industrial development, in telecommunications infrastructure, and in the advancement of higher education. With a robust Internet infrastructure in place, a skilled workforce and quality of community, there is a significant attraction to the area.

There is always more to do to ensure Kitsap’s competitiveness with other economic centers. As attention turns from asset building to assisting local businesses and marketing the county, KEDA enters a challenging new phase of its 20-year existence.

The Selection Criteria

The Executive Director, with policy direction by the Board of Directors, provides leadership to KEDA in its mission to help the local economy diversify, increase opportunities for commuters to work closer to home, and expand the number of primary jobs at a rate faster than the growth of the resident labor force.

Competitive candidates must demonstrate ability and accomplishments in the following areas. Attributes are listed alphabetically and are not intended to be listed in order of importance.

Business experience Has senior level leadership and marketing experience in an economic development environment and demonstrates achievements working with private sector businesses and governments to create a prosperous mix of economic conditions with an eye on ROI

Collaboration Strong collaborative skills with case examples resulting in community-wide buy-in and positive results
Communications skills Excellent written and verbal communications skills including dynamic public speaking capabilities

Economic development Proven ability to understand, communicate and implement the factors and dynamics of a community’s economic development process. CEcD (certified economic developer) certification desired.

Leadership Visionary and focused leader with the ability to motivate people to common goals

Non-profit experience Experience in fundraising and mobilization of a non-profit organization with a Board of Directors

The Application Process

KEDA has appointed an Executive Director Search Committee, which will review all application information (resumes, salary history, and other documentation) to select a group of semi-finalists. Personal or telephone interviews of the semi-finalists will result in at most three finalists, who will be invited to further interviews with the board and also to meet staff members.

All application information is to be submitted electronically to Kathy Cocus at [email protected] with the following subject line: (Your Name): Application for KEDA Executive Director.

Applications must include the following:

Cover letter (separate from email cover)

Chronological resume

Compensation requirements

Semi-finalists will be asked for references, so candidates should be prepared to provide at least two work-related and one community-related reference when requested.

Applications are due no later than COB March 11, 2008. We will acknowledge application information receipt by return e-mail. A competitive salary and benefits package will be negotiated based on the applicant’s history as well as the significant requirements, responsibilities, and needed experience and qualifications of the position.

KEDA is an equal opportunity employer.

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