Associate Economic Development Manager

Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) seeks an Economic Development professional to support the Economic Development Manager in implementing initiatives that attract new energy load, drive investment and create jobs across the SVEC footprint. This role collaborates with governments, regional partners and members while building data systems to track progress.

You will assist in identifying expansion opportunities, developing reports, and promoting SVEC’s fiber network and services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or equivalent in economic development or related field.
• Minimum 5 years experience in local, regional or state economic development.
• Experience with electric utility industry and working with governments.
• Strong public speaking and written communication.
• Ability to work with internal stakeholders and across departments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct economic development activities to attract new load and service rights.
• Build relationships with state, regional and local economic development organizations.
• Maintain a database of development projects and prospects.
• Identify expansion opportunities for existing members.
• Develop monthly reporting on project activities and KPIs.
• Collaborate with Corporate Communications to showcase activities.
• Assist in budgeting for annual economic development plan.
• Support marketing and utilization of the fiber network.

Skills

Public speaking

Organization

Multitasking

Collaboration

Communication

Analytical skills

Leadership

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in economic development or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Internet research

Artificial intelligence

Job description

This position supports the Economic Development Manager in implementing the cooperative's economic development initiatives. It actively supports recruitment, expansion and retention of business investment, and participates in collaborative efforts that increases new load, investment and job creation across the SVEC footprint.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Economic Development Manager

Directs: None

Responsibilities

• Conduct economic development activities and programs for the purpose of attracting new energy load and service rights for SVEC
• Build and strengthen active working relationships with state, regional and local economic development organization
• Develop and maintain a database of economic development projects and prospects; work with internal partners to track project activities
• Assist the Manager of Key Accounts to identify expansion opportunities for existing members
• Develop and maintain a database of confidential documentation related to large-load cooperative members & prospects
• Research industry trends and economic drivers that impact industrial and large commercial site locations
• Respond to economic development organization requests for potential service requirements and sample bills
• Develop and maintain databases to track project activities, key performance indicators, and to provide monthly reporting
• Develop, evaluate and recommend innovative products/concepts used to recruit new business and support expansion opportunities for existing cooperative membership.
• Represents the cooperative in collaborative efforts concerning economic development
• Coordinates economic development projects and programs with the Economic Development Manager
• Works with corporate communications to ensure economic development activities are showcased through various social media outlets
• Helps develop the annual economic development budget work plan
• Works with internal stakeholders to market and support the cooperative’s fiber utility network
• Proactively identify and use emerging technologies (i.e. artificial intelligence) that support and advance economic development activities
• Develop and maintain internal relationships across the cooperative needed to execute the economic development goals and objectives
• Assist in special projects and other duties as assigned

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with an emphasis in economic development or related field of study
• Minimum 5 years of economic development experience working for a local, regional or state economic development organization
• Experience working in the electric utility industry in a capacity that deals with local governments and agencies, consumer accounts, and utility planning functions

Required Skills and Abilities

• An understanding of electric utility cooperative principles
• An understanding of electric utility rates and rate construction
• Public speaking experience
• Ability to organize work effectively and to prioritize and manage multiple tasks
• Ability to function without direct supervision
• Ability to work across departments and various areas of cooperative responsibility
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret materials from a variety of industry related sources
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure papers
• Proficiency in computer skills including all Microsoft programs, internet research and artificial intelligence
• Must be able to maintain professionalism and control under all circumstances
• Has and maintains a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record and is able to operate SVEC vehicles
• Must become and remain certified in CPR and first aid. Must also be skilled in the use of all safety equipment
• Leadership ability and the ability to motivate peers toward goal achievement
• Strong verbal, written, analytical and interpersonal skills
• Ability to perform job responsibilities in a timely manner within established guidelines under minimal supervision.
• Ability to dissect and resolve complex problems quickly and systematically
• Possess effective techniques to research and access all sources necessary to fulfill position responsibilities
• Must have good analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Shall be required to maintain confidentiality of information
• Must be capable of reading and deciphering small print and numbers
• Must have access to reliable transportation to and from work

Physical Requirements

• Participation in SVEC job safety and training programs, relevant workshops, seminars and other SVEC-sponsored courses and events.
• Must be able to use office equipment including telephone, computer, and other systems and related software in the performance of position responsibilities.
• Must be able and available, during any and all types of weather conditions, to work weekends, holidays, evenings and other times outside normal duty hours to assist in service restoration and other emergencies that may arise or when the workload demands.
• Must always maintain an operating telephone or personal communication device at their place of residence. Ability to contact the telephone or personal communication device must be made available to SVEC for the purpose of contacting the manager to conduct legitimate routine and/or emergency business.
• This position primarily works indoors. Must be able to lift objects unassisted (up to 30 pounds). Some standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling to a minimal degree.

Pay Range

$108,962.62 - 145,737.54 annually

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Notice of Equal Opportunity Employment

In order for Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative to abide by its Affinitive Action Statement, the Cooperative publishes the following Equal Employment Policy. This is not a solicitation of applicants for employment. All applicants for employment shall be considered and hired on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex (including gender identity and expression), marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or veteran’s status. The employment practices shall ensure equal treatment of all employees, without discrimination in rates of pay or other opportunities for advancement because of an employee’s race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.