Economic Development Executive

Position Information

WORKING TITLE: Economic Development Executive
UW SYSTEM OFFICIAL TITLE: Assistant Chancellor
POSTING DATE: December 22, 2022

Essential Job Functions

UW-Green Bay and Brown County are committed to supporting the economy and quality of life in Northeast Wisconsin by growing the number of students earning undergraduate and graduate degrees, thus raising the college attainment rate (currently 7% below the national average). Approximately 70% of our students stay in this region upon graduation and accessible and affordable local higher education is a means to prevent talent from leaving the area. We also know that the Northeast Wisconsin Economic Ecosystem is experiencing an exciting transformation due to several key factors; 1.) A burgeoning start-up network led by Titletown Tech, a venture capital initiative between Microsoft and the Green Bay Packers; the Greater Green Bay Chamber Start-Up Hubs; and innovative large corporations, 2.) An entrepreneurial set of local governments willing to help build economic opportunities, 3.) A growing, young and diverse community, and 4.) An access-driven, growing University with four campus locations adept at serving students with backgrounds from all across the rural-urban continuum.

The goal of a new Economic Development Executive will be to coordinate and execute economic development initiatives and opportunities available to Northeast Wisconsin, Brown County, and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. The Executive will be the project lead for establishing Phoenix Innovation Park, a proposed 64-acre mixed-use research park/innovation district directly on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus. A mixed-use development may include residential, retail, offices, a signature hotel, a charter school, health care or other via a joint venture among the public and private developers.

With joint oversight by the University and Brown County, the Executive will identify and implement the steps necessary to establish a research park/innovation district, work with businesses to create the first tenants of the park, coordinate with venture capital, chambers of commerce, and innovation hubs to attract entrepreneurs and start-ups, advocate for resources from public and private sources and develop an action plan for the infrastructure and direction of the park. The research park/innovation district will benefit from adjacency to the other participants and resources in a full-fledged innovation ecosystem in the Green Bay region: incubators and accelerators, entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators from organizations, startup and growth companies created out of or attracted to the research output of the research park/innovation district.

What You'll Do

This position includes the following responsibilities:

• Implement a compelling vision of the university and county to create a leading innovation district established to enable transformations in research and business.
• Lead and direct the strategy to build a recognized and financially self-sufficient research and innovation district that serves as both the hub for high-tech talent in research and innovation in the expanding regional innovation ecosystem and a catalyst for the further strategic development of this regional ecosystem.
• Assume responsibility for a set of strategic and operational activities that will require work across many areas of the University, public and private entities, representatives of neighborhood and civic organizations, and leaders of research, innovation, development, and investment partners yet to be identified or engaged.
• Establish the business plan, value proposition and financial model for partners to invest in the research park/innovation district in necessary areas such as capital development and programming in order to establish it as a research park/innovation district.
• Work to create connections with the greater University and County community and economic opportunities opened by the research park/innovation district. This will be a unique new space for scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors to advance research and develop innovations in Northeast Wisconsin. The Executive must facilitate and steward partnerships that will propel its mission, to generate resources to realize and expand the campus in synergy with surrounding developments in the regional innovation ecosystem.
• Socialize and articulate this compelling vision for the full-scale realization of the research park/innovation district and establishing connections for synergy with other leading innovators in the region.
• Recruit new finance and development partners in the ongoing build-out of the research park/innovation district.
• Identify and engage partners in programming and operating the research park/innovation district as a vibrant innovation zone.
• Through programming and place-making, establish the research park/innovation district as a hub for convening thought leaders, decision-makers, policy experts, and the business community on topics central to businesses and leaders in Northeast Wisconsin.
• Develop, implement and manage an innovative economic development plan and related strategies to promote and support the growth, expansion and retention of businesses within the research park/innovation district and at county-owned properties such as Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, the Port of Green Bay, and the Brown County Farm Property.
• Work with the Brown County Community Area Network’s Chief Operating Officer to expand the county’s fiber network to provide high-speed internet to the county’s rural areas and attract businesses to Brown County properties.
• Administer economic development loan programs offered by Brown County.
• Present oral and written reports to University and County leaders and boards, economic development interest groups, other interested parties, and the public on topics that include, but are not limited to economic development trends, opportunities, and threats to the region’s economic health. As requested, represents the University and County on relevant local, statewide, and national education and industry associations, committees and boards and other groups related to division goals and objectives. Works with University Office of Grants and Research and Faculty Development to identify appropriate economic development grant opportunities and write grants.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Business Administration, Marketing or related field plus a minimum of eight (8) years progressively responsible experience in economic development program design, execution and management combined
• Relationship management and fundraising skills
• Ability to compile and understand project pro-formas and capital financing and how various incentive packages impact and contribute to an overall project
• A track record of innovation and entrepreneurial activity with a focus on gathering and deploying the resources needed to start and attract funders, investors, and strategic partners
• Experience providing leadership in the development of a a diverse innovation ecosystem, including the design, development, and execution of programming involved in place-making
• Familiarity with real estate development and operations, preferably with institutional/non-profit organizations and ideally involving tax incentives and other programs relevant to urban redevelopment (tax-increment financing, opportunity zones, etc.)
• Knowledge of federal and state programs, grants, and regulations associated with economic development
• Skill in the coordination of planning and economic development activities between state, county, and municipal governments
• Knowledge of municipal, county, state, and federal laws governing development

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or related field combined with a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development program design, execution and management with a demonstrated ability to manage and lead
• Certification from the American Economic Development Council as an Economic Development Finance Professional

The Successful Candidate

The successful candidate will be expected to work inclusively and respectfully within a diverse campus community and practice civility in the workplace. The University welcomes applicants who are dedicated to the appreciation and promotion of inclusivity and equity as crucial components in the pursuit of organizational excellence.

In addition, the successful candidate will have strong oral, written, interpersonal, and organizational skills, demonstrated integrity and strong leadership, and the willingness to work independently and as part of a collaborative team. The University invites applicants who are dedicated to enriching the quality of life for students and the community by embracing the educational value of diversity, promoting environmental sustainability, encouraging engaged citizenship, and serving as an intellectual, cultural, and economic resource.

Conditions of Appointment

Some travel is required for necessary meetings, workshops, conferences, etc. Occasional evening and/or weekend work is expected and will be assigned by supervisor.

Position is a full-time Limited appointment. Official transcripts of the highest degree achieved will be required of finalist(s). A criminal conviction investigation will be conducted on the finalist(s). In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the university does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources.

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Benefit Details

The UW System provides an excellent benefits package to meet the diverse needs of its employees. This includes several health insurance options, with annual deductibles as low as $250/individual and $500/family. Our benefits package also includes dental, vision, several life insurance options, AD&D and Accident insurance and Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts. We participate in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), where employer contributions begin immediately and employees are fully vested after 5 years of service. The UW System also provides supplemental retirement savings programs including a 403(b) and Deferred Compensation.

In addition, employees receive several types of paid leave benefits, which are prorated for employees working less than 100%. This includes 9 legal holidays, 36 hours of personal holiday and between 96-130 hours of sick leave annually. Employees earn 13-27 days of vacation each year, depending on years of service and employment type.

For more details, please review the benefit quick guide linked below.

• UW System Employee Benefits Brochure
• Faculty, Academic Staff, and Limited Quick Guide
• Total Compensation Estimator

Apply

STEP 1: Please select the applicable link below:

External Applicants: (NOT currently employed by the University of Wisconsin System)
Internal Applicants: (Currently employed by the University of Wisconsin System)

STEP 2: From "Search Jobs" screen,

• Click "View All Jobs"
• Select "Economic Development Executive"
  • You must login before you can apply. Input your "User Name" and "Password" and select "Sign In."
  • If you have not yet registered, click "Register Now" to begin the registration process.

STEP 3: Submit application materials:

Please be sure to complete all required fields, and include all required documents before submitting your application. Once submitted, you will not be able to edit or attach any application materials. Files must be complete to be considered. Please include the following documents:

• Cover letter specifically addressing qualifications for the essential job functions
• Resume 
• Names and contact information for three references

 

You must select "Submit" to forward your application materials to the search committee.

If you have any questions, need accommodations, or submitted your application with missing materials, call or email:

Michael Alexander
Phone:  (920) 465-2207
Email:  alexandm@uwgb.edu

Application Deadline

To ensure consideration, please submit application materials by Sunday, January 22, 2023.