Opportunity Profile Vice President of Economic Development The Vice ...

Opportunity Profile Vice President of Economic Development The Vice President of Economic Development (VP) is responsible for the full range of economic development activities of Envision Greater Fond du Lac, Inc. (Envision GFDL), including: 1. Definition of a strategic vision for county-wide economic development efforts and the investment required to achieve measurable goals, 2. Coordination of the program of work for economic development efforts, to include: goals and metrics, income and expenditures, maintenance/growth of investors, cultivation of existing and new staff, and motivation of volunteers, and 3. Reporting of metrics and outcomes that demonstrate the success and impact of Envision GFDL’s economic development programming. The Organization Envision Greater Fond du Lac, Inc. is a newly formed organization with the aspiration to take two longstanding business organizations with serious track records of impact in the Greater Fond du Lac area to a new level of program delivery and impact. Envision GFDL was born in July 2017 after years of engagement from the greater community and business community with a shared desired to see more collaboration and community impact from business and economic development focused initiatives. Envision GFDL embraces the individual program delivery of these two organizations and is in the process of identifying areas of value and efficiency that can be communicated to: 1. Chamber members - interested in chamber of commerce activities and benefits, 2. Investors – committed to economic development initiatives and outcomes with community-wide impact, and 3. Total package partners – interested in chamber of commerce activities & benefits and committed to economic development initiatives & outcomes. Our Historic Organizations Fond du Lac Association of Commerce Formed over 100 years ago, the Fond du Lac Association of Commerce (AC) was a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization with over 850 members, which includes 250 members of the Agri-Business Council. The AC’s mission was to foster a vibrant business environment throughout the Fond du Lac County area by promoting commerce, developing key partnerships, creating opportunities, and building community. The AC offered a variety of creative programs through its divisions which include: AgriBusiness Council, Ambassadors Club, Communications Council, Community Sounding Board, Fond du Lac Marketing Professionals, Fond du Lac Works, Human Resources Association, Leadership Fond du Lac, Safety Council, and Young Professionals of Fond du Lac. These programs continue as part of the program of work for Envision GFDL. 1

Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation Created in 1989, the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) was a 501(c)4 public-private economic development corporation serving nine communities in Fond du Lac County. Its mission was to generate increased and sustainable economic prosperity for the entire Fond du Lac area thereby enhancing the quality of life for its residents. FCEDC provided a variety of services, including: financial packaging and incentives (including access to a revolving loan fund), client services for attraction projects, business intelligent services, existing business retention and expansion support, workforce development, and economic gardening activities. The bulk of these activities are now a part of Envision GFDL’s program of work, and the FCEDC still exists as an entity to manage and administer revolving loan funds. Our New Organization There has been much discussion in recent years about the AC the FCEDC joining forces into one synergistic organization to more effectively serve the Greater Fond du Lac area. Envision GFDL was born after a recently commissioned independent study that recommended the AC and FDEDC join forces under one organizational umbrella. Envision GFDL has been tasked with the planning, engagement, and delivery of programming for both chamber of commerce services and economic development initiatives. The expectation is that this new organization will deliver an unprecedented caliber of programming, and that the unification of activities, staffing, planning, and budgeting can deliver more to the varied and business interests of Fond du Lac County. The newly formed Envision GDFL, its staff, and its board leadership are committed to paving the way into a new era of growth and prosperity for Greater Fond du Lac. The Service Territory Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin is an exciting county with several cities with demonstrated economic success and potential at the foot of Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin’s largest inland lake. The county seat of Fond du Lac County (pop 102,000), the City of Fond du Lac, has a population of just over 43,000. Fond du Lac’s central location places it within one hour of Wisconsin’s four major markets – Milwaukee, Madison, the Fox Cities, and Green Bay - offering access to a broad regional population of 850,000 and workforce of 500,000. The area is easily accessible via U.S. I-41, U.S. 151, and Wisconsin Highway 23, making it an important manufacturing and distribution center. Economic clusters include a robust high tech manufacturing sector, farming (famous for its dairy farms and cheese!), healthcare, education, retail, and a developing entrepreneurial/IT cluster. Businesses located in the area benefit from a large pool of welleducated and highly skilled workers. Fond du Lac County offers an exceptional quality of life with affordable homes, short commute times, outstanding arts and cultural attractions, and a myriad of parks and recreational opportunities to suit every lifestyle. Fond du Lac County residents enjoy all the benefits of living in a smaller community with easy access to large metro markets offering professional and college sports, an international airport, and the state capitol city. Fond du Lac County has a range of retail shopping options, including a number of downtown specialty boutique shops and restaurants in the historic downtown corridor of each community. Outdoor activities are plentiful on the shores of Lake Winnebago. With the City of Fond du Lac’s 400-acre Lakeside Park as its centerpiece, families enjoy seasonal boating, swimming, hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, golf, and the area’s one-of-a-kind Sturgeon Spectacular held every February on the shores of Lake Winnebago. In addition to an affordable cost of living and safe community where people know and trust their neighbors, Fond du Lac County is proud of its quality educational opportunities. There are numerous choices for K-12 education, including excellent public school systems along with outstanding private 2

schools in the region. In addition, the Campus District is an energetic, dynamic environment emanating from the nearly contiguous campuses of three institutions of higher education: University of WisconsinFond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College, and Marian University. Relationships The VP of Economic Development will report to the President & CEO and lead the efforts of Envision GFDL’s economic development programming. Internally, that will include working closely with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to create and implement a long-term strategic plan for economic development efforts. It will also include collaborating with Envision GFDL team members to partner on efforts related to supporting the existing business community, marketing and attraction efforts, talent attraction and workforce development, communication, and fulfilling the organization’s strategic mission. Externally, important interactions include: executives and employees of chamber member and investor organizations in Greater Fond du Lac; local, county, state, and national elected officials and their staffs; representatives of other public and private sector partners; officials from higher education institutions; state of Wisconsin economic development professionals; site selectors and commercial real estate professionals; members of the media; and representatives of target and prospect organizations. Major Duties and Responsibilities  Strategic Planning & Fundraising Lead and coordinate the community-wide, collaborative effort that takes a futuristic strategic planning approach to economic development programming for 2019-2024. The plan will encompass attracting new industry; supporting the expansion of existing industry; support and growth of an entrepreneurial ecosystem; workforce development and preparedness and talent attraction; and quality of life enhancement as influenced by the community’s Envision Fond du Lac initiative (www.envisionfdl.com). Develop the investor strategy that will support this five-year plan, execute the tactics that will engage investors and establish a collective responsibility for the success of this strategic plan, and develop and deliver the metrics that will demonstrate success and positive progress.  Economic Development Programs, Services, and Operations Responsible for ongoing evaluation and delivery of all Envision GFDL economic development programs and services, with equal focus on quality and value to investors and the greater community, along with sound fiscal benefit to the overall organization. Seek and foster partnerships to successfully promote GFDL as a business friendly economy. Engage the leadership of local government entities to establish and maintain memorandums of understanding that establish a defined provision of services by Envision GFDL, rooted in premises of collaboration and shared success.  Communication Coordinate with the President & CEO to communicate positions on economic development initiatives as appropriate. Be visible in the community and region in order to develop meaningful relationships to enhance the outreach of Envision GFDL and promote economic developmentrelated programming. Empower Envision GFDL staff to develop economic development-specific communications that support and engage the various targeted audiences to support all areas of programming. Ensure strong, continuous, and informative communication with all investors through on-site visits, publications, and the various communication channels available through Envision GFDL.

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Grants & Investment Identify grant and investment opportunities that align with Envision GFDL’s economic development initiatives. Implement programming and track metrics for purposes that fulfill grant requirements and demonstrate a return on investment for investors, grant providers, and the greater community. Oversee activities related to ensuring Envision GFDL’s economic development programming enhances and supports the organization’s program of work and further defines the relevance and value of Envision GFDL. Staff Leadership: Responsible for assignment of duties, supervision, evaluation, training and leadership of all economic development staff. Based on annual plans, assure staff members are prepared to successfully implement programs and services. Foster daily working environment that values teamwork and ensures the highest levels of customer service. Regional & State Partnerships Work to maintain and/or initiate effective working relationships with aligned organizations and public partners on a regional and state basis with a focus on economic development. Look for opportunities to enhance and catalyze regional and state initiatives that improve competitiveness and quality of life. Financial Management: Oversee accounting and financial record keeping related to economic development programming including the preparation and management of annual operating budgets within Board authorized guidelines. Volunteers Effectively recruit, motivate, and inspire volunteers to creative and fruitful action for economic development programming success. Constituent Relationships: Responsible for ongoing interaction, collaboration as a liaison with a wide constituency including: o Community: Through personal contacts with key community leaders, the VP helps shape the Fond du Lac area communities, frequently called upon to relate economic development activities to the activities of all other groups and entities that impact the quality of life in the region (commercial, industrial, educational, cultural, civic, philanthropic, and spiritual). o Government Officials: Collaborate with the President & CEO to create and maintain strong communication and relationships with Fond du Lac area elected officials and their staffs along with state and federal elected officials. Play a key role in advocacy on behalf of the economic development goals of the organization and in line with strategic objectives. o Education: Foster strong relationships with representatives of area community colleges, 4year universities, other technical schools, and public and private K-12 schools. Other Duties: Perform other tasks and duties as may be assigned from time to time by the President & CEO.

Compensation The Vice President of Economic Development is expected to earn an attractive compensation package; appropriate benefits and some relocation assistance will be provided.

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The Candidate Professional Qualifications The ideal candidate is currently serving as the top economic development executive of a comparable economic development-focused organization or a chamber of commerce with economic development programming. Alternative experience includes serving as “#2” or another senior-level executive at a larger enterprise as noted above, or as an executive from a complex private or public sector entity. If not the top executive today, then demonstrated experience working with a Board to develop and implement economic development strategic and operational plans is required. It is expected the successful candidate will bring at least five years of progressively responsible economic development leadership experience. Education A Bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in business, law, public administration, or related field is preferred. If candidate is currently operating within the economic development industry, demonstrated professional commitment is desirable, such as: graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute or Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  Economic development – has coordinated with public sector delivery systems and private sector resources to effectively promote the economic development of a community or region.  Collaborative relationships – develops effective partnerships among all sectors.  Management experience – strong human resource and staff development skills.  Communication – strong background in interacting and communicating with multiple audiences.  Planning – experience in developing and implementing strategic plans.  Public/private relationships – track record of effective partnerships between public and private sectors.  Fundraising – Experience in developing and executing a fundraising strategy congruent with strategic visioning and planning practices.  Fiscal management/investor relations – Communicates and manages financial affairs with investors.  Committee/Governance relationships – Experience with governance issues and executive decisions at board/executive level.  Government relations/advocacy – Effective working relationships with elected/appointed officials and staff.  Technology – Knowledgeable of technology, social media, and its role in delivering services & tracking client/project data.  Volunteer organization experience – Proven ability to motivate and utilize volunteers. Success The projected first year accomplishments for the new Vice President of Economic Development include:  Initiate formal and informal introductions and connections with Envision GFDL chamber members and investors through varied communications and in-person gatherings and meetings.

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Be highly visible throughout Fond du Lac County. Form effective collaborative and working relationships with key leaders of municipal, county, and state government leaders; business owners of all sizes; corporate executives; and educational leaders to collaborate on tactics related to economic development initiatives that will capture the success of economic development programming. Lead the community’s futuristic strategic planning process with a successful facilitator and launch a capital campaign to fund the plan. Support organization-wide approach to build comprehensive and complimentary programming that addresses need for chamber member value-added proposition and economic development investment. Work with staff and volunteers to develop deeper and broader support for economic development activities from existing and potential private sector partners, always communicating the value of investment in terms of increased growth opportunities in Fond du Lac County. Demonstrate success toward achieving the organization’s economic development goals including attraction of new jobs/investment to key industry clusters, job development/creation, existing business retention and expansion, workforce and talent efforts, and entrepreneurial support and development.

The Vice President of Economic Development of Envision Greater Fond du Lac, Inc. is an outstanding opportunity for an economic development executive to demonstrate his or her ability/potential to take the economic development possibilities of the Greater Fond du Lac area to a new level of programming and impact. The newly formed organization is in a strong fiscal position, and despite challenges in the general economy, area leaders are excited for the future of the region. The new VP will inherit an experienced and engaged economic staff and engaged volunteer base. Together, all stakeholders are looking to support a new economic development leader who will accept this exciting opportunity to assess the current economy and incorporate futuristic economic development efforts into a fully integrated program of work executed by Envision GFDL. Contact Interested individuals are invited to send a cover letter and resume to [email protected].

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