Chief Development Officer - Higher Ed. jobs in Missouri

Description

OUR MISSION

St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is the independent economic development agency serving the City of St. Louis. Missouri. It is an action-oriented organization that exists to empower, develop and transform St. Louis through a vibrant, just and growing economy where all people can thrive.

OUR VISION

SLDC is a place-based, people-centric catalyst for growth in St. Louis. Our core values guide everything we do. As implementors of a robust set of projects, programs and policies, SLDC responsibly deploys a myriad of initiatives designed to reverse disproportionate disparities in disinvested areas, infuses capital into the community and creatively collaborates with our neighbors, both commercial and residential.
SLDC is the only economic development organization trusted to serve the best interests of all St. Louisans.

The long-term initiatives implemented by SLDC will propel St. Louis forward for decades to come. As we evolve, redefine and reimagine economic development for the next generation, SLDC expects to achieve significant social and financial returns. The result is expanding the tax base, improving the economic, health and educational outcomes for every existing resident of St. Louis and attracting new residents.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and innovative Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our team during a pivotal transformational period. With new leadership and the ambitious Economic Justice Action Plan at the forefront, the COO will play a crucial role in steering the organization towards its goals.

As a key member of the senior management team and reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the COO will be instrumental in developing and implementing operational strategies that align with SLDC's mission. The role demands a leader who can efficiently manage resources, monitor performance against benchmarks, and drive operational excellence throughout the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE

• Assist the President, CEO in advancing the implementation and development of goals, objectives, and policies.
• Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping the CEO informed of all critical issues involving the organization, community, programs, and initiatives.
• Overseeing SLDC’s various departments, programs, and initiatives, including economic research and analysis, business recruitment and retention, workforce development, and marketing and communications.
• Lead employees to encourage maximum performance and dedication by setting comprehensive goals for performance and growth, hold continuous conversations, provide development and recognition.
• Work with department leaders to ensure alignment with culture, strategy, and direction.
• Establish policies and procedures that support a positive employee experience.
• Direct the activities of all staff including delegating authority, assigning, and reviewing work, providing guidance, direction, and assistance, evaluating performance, and making hiring and terminating decisions.
• Responsible for staff adherence to published policies and procedures.
• Develop employee job capabilities and encourage employee advancement in the organization through continuing education and job expansion.
• Work closely with the CEO to establish short-and long-term department goals based on new or revised SLDC goals, federal, state, or local regulations and statutes; recommend, develop and implement changes to policies based on revisions.
• Consult and advise the CEO, CFO, legal counsel, and other key member of the leadership team on financial planning, budgeting, business priorities, and policy matters particularly as they relate to the department as assigned.
• Provide assistance and direction in the development and administration of the annual budget; monitors activity on a continuous basis to ensure no unexpected variances. Assures that obligations and costs follow applicable regulations.
• With the assistance of the CFO, ensures the continued financial viability of the Authority’s programs/services through sound financial management.
• Ensures all performance standards and other reporting requirements are maintained at high performance level and/or improved if required.
• Evaluate performance by analyzing and interpreting data and metrics. Communicating results, variances, gaps, and recommendations to the CEO.
• Manage relationships with partners, vendors, and consultants.
• Identify techniques and strategies for maximizing administrative efficiency and performance.
• Assist with handling all matters of crisis for the SDLC.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and partners, including local government officials, business leaders, and community organizations, to build relationships and identify opportunities for collaboration and partnership.
• Represent the agency at public events and meetings and serve as a spokesperson for the organization in the media and other external settings.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of duties or responsibilities that are required for this job.  Duties and responsibilities may change at any time, with or without notice, or as assigned.

Qualifications

 WHAT QUALIFIES YOU 

The ideal candidate for this position would likely have extensive experience in operations management, ideally in the context of economic development or related fields such as business or government. They would also have strong leadership skills, excellent communication abilities, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

The ideal candidate is intuitive, a quick learner, and can self-initiate problem-solving and knows how to seize opportunities. They are a willing coach and mentor who understands the importance of earning the trust of direct reports. They are open to looking at processes and operations in innovative ways that maximizes operational and financial performance. This person will also have excellent people skills, business acumen, and an exemplary work ethic.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required; degree in economic development, urban planning, economics, marketing, business, or a related discipline preferred.
• Five years’ experience in economic development, job and investment attraction or substantial business, with a minimum of 7 years leading a major program in a supervisory capacity. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. 
• Proficient knowledge in business planning and promotion, market analysis, relevant municipal legislation, and financial management.
• To perform this job successfully, a candidate must have strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Google Suite, Adobe, etc.). They must have the ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks. 
   

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Job Knowledge: Exhibits requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position effectively.  Demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational entities, requirements, and activities as they apply to SLDC. Uses appropriate judgment & decision making in accordance with level of responsibility.
• Growth Mindset: Ensures a culture of trust and psychological safety. Encourages diverse perspectives and views; coaches others to challenge self, learn from failures and continuously learn. Focuses on own self development. Provides real time feedback. Recognizes curiosity, adaptability, and resilience.
• Initiative: Proactively seeks solutions to resolve unexpected challenges. Actively assists others without formal/informal direction. Possesses the capacity to learn and actively seeks developmental feedback.  Applies feedback for continued growth by mastering concepts needed to perform work.
• Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; and persists despite obstacles and opposition.
• Professional Behavior: Exhibits positive, polite, courteous, honest, and conscientious behavior with all internal/external interactions. Accepts responsibility for actions and adjusts behavior as appropriate.

• Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness; holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; and does fair share of work.
• Reliability & Judgment: Employee demonstrates sound reasoning and critical thinking by making decisions in line with established Agency expectations. Performs work in a reliable manner that is both accurate and timely.
• Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Leadership: The ability to organize and motivate people to get things accomplished in a way that everyone feels a sense of order and direction.
• Innovation: Develops useful ideas that are new, better, or unique. Introduces new ways of looking at problems. Can take a creative idea and put into practice. Embraces diverse perspectives to promote or nurture innovation.
• Interpersonal Skills: Focuses on solving conflict, not blame; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remain open to others’ ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions, demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings.
• Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.
• Organizational Support: Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization’s goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities.
• Professionalism: Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance and Punctuality: Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Dependability: Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This a full-time, exempt position with health benefits and paid-time-off. While our traditional work hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, SLDC provides a flexible/hybrid work environment of both onsite and offsite work and follows a customized work schedule of 40-hours per week for full-time employees. Evening and weekend work is required as job duties demand.

SLDC is committed to building a team with a wide range of experiences and perspectives. SLDC strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates, and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, or any statuses protected by law.