Department Deputy Director

Job Description:

Department Deputy Director

Description

Job Location: 301 W. High Street, Harry S. Truman Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101

Why you’ll love this position:

The Department Deputy Director of Economic Development plays a key leadership role in supporting the mission of the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED). This individual assists the Department Director in developing and executing statewide strategies to stimulate job creation, business investment, workforce development, and innovation. The Department Deputy Director acts as a strategic advisor, manages cross-functional teams, and helps to oversee the agency’s day-to-day operations, ensuring alignment with state priorities and economic growth objectives.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the job mentioned below with or without reasonable accommodations.

Strategic and Team Leadership:

• Support the Department Director in shaping and implementing statewide economic development policies, programs, and initiatives

• Provide executive leadership and management to ensure that the mission and core values of the State of Missouri and the DED are put into practice to ensure we are a leader in economic growth, economic development, workforce development and community development

• Provide leadership and direction in the absence of the Department Director

• Provide leadership and management for the departmental strategic planning process

• Direct supervision of departmental support teams and special initiatives, to include overseeing the Department’s budgeting function

• Mentor and collaborate with the department’s division directors, managers, supervisors, and employees to discuss and solve problems to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of DED programs, as well as foster a collaborative and high-performance culture

Daily Operations:

• Lead internal operations including budgeting, personnel management, program performance tracking, KPIs and interdepartmental coordination

• Collaborate in the development and execution of business attraction, retention, workforce development, innovation, and infrastructure programs

• Develop, oversee, and implement policy, programs, rules, and legislative initiatives that support the direction of DED

• Create and implement economic development strategies and policies that capitalize on existing programs and assets, while also identifying new opportunities to maximize the state’s economic vitality and value

• Provide analysis, explanation, and updates on policy matters and economic development climate shifts to statewide stakeholders

• Assist in developing policy recommendations and legislative proposals; provide testimony and briefings to policymakers as needed

• Review and handle sensitive and high priority communications

• Lead additional efforts and initiatives within the department as needed

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with business leaders, local governments, regional economic development organizations, and community stakeholders to nurture partnerships and support growth

• Represent the DED to the Governor and the General Assembly, as well as represent departmental priorities at public and legislative hearings and state/national meetings and various boards/commissions

• Spearhead collaboration within the executive team, state and local government, economic, community and business organizations

• Represent DED at public events, conferences, and economic development forums across the state and nationally

COMPETENCIES:

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to think critically and make informed decisions in dynamic situations

• Proven leadership experience in managing diverse teams and supervising program execution to achieve successful outcomes

• Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and execute complex assignments within tight deadlines

• Expertise in preparing, analyzing, and evaluating policies and operations, with a talent for making data-driven recommendations

• Strong decision-making and change management skills, with a focus on achieving tangible results

• Resourceful and dedicated to solving problems

• Ability to implement executive and legislative policies and make internal policy decisions with large-scale implications

• Deals effectively with pressure, maintains focus and intensity, and remains optimistic and persistent in a fast-paced, high-performing work environment

• Ability to adapt behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions or unexpected obstacles - can move quickly, sometimes little information

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least nine years of professional relevant experience, to include at least two years of successful team leadership and supervisory experience. This can be obtained through a combination of work experience and completion of a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

o Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis for denying consideration to any applicant

• Experience developing short and long-range plans that meet established objectives and contribute to overall organizational goals

• Experience engaging with elected officials, community leaders, and private-sector stakeholders

• A strong understanding of state-level policy, incentive programs, and economic development tools

• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and public speaking abilities

• Experience in successfully managing complex projects, as well as improving processes and systems

• Ability to demonstrate regular and reliable attendance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Missouri specific economic development initiatives, regions, and industries

• Track record of innovation in government or public-private partnerships

• Knowledge of grant management, federal funding, or tax incentive programs

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here .

Leah.Norment@ded.mo.gov

Salary:

$140,000-$150,000 per Year