Director, North & South Americas

Greater Houston Partnership Inc; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Greater Houston Partnership seeks a Director, North & South Americas to drive strategic sales and marketing programs attracting foreign direct investment to the Houston region. You will lead international initiatives, events, missions, and advocacy efforts to boost job creation and capital investment.

Knowledge of international business development, strong communications, and relationship-building with government and business leaders is essential.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing, grammar, and public speaking skills required.
• Experience maintaining public relations with international organizations.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develops international business and trade development strategies, events, and activities for member companies.
• Develops strategic programs to attract foreign direct investment into the Houston region.
• Develops programs to help Houston-based companies export their goods or services.
• Establishes external relationships with high-level international government and business development allies.
• Coordinates international missions to the Americas and supports department planning.

Skills

Public speaking

Writing

Interpersonal skills

Research & analysis

Multilingual (preferred)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in international business

MBA (plus)

Job description

Description

When you join the Greater Houston Partnership, you get the opportunity to work with an organization helping guide the future of the Houston region. Our team of professionals work across multiple disciplines, including: Economic Development (Regional and International), Executive, Finance & Accounting, Marketing & Communications, Member Engagement, Public Policy, Regional Workforce Development, Research, Resources, and the Center for Houston’s Future.

The Greater Houston Partnership works to make Houston one of the best places to live, work and build a business. As the economic development organization for the region, the Partnership champions growth across 12 counties by bringing together business and civic-minded leaders who are dedicated to the area’s long-term success. Representing more than 900 member organizations and approximately one-fifth of the region’s workforce, the Partnership is the place companies come together to make an impact.

We look forward to telling you more about the organization and helping determine if a career with the Partnership is right for you!

Today, We Are Looking For

The Director, North & South Americas who is responsible for developing and implementing strategic sales and marketing programs aimed at attracting foreign direct investment from North and South America to the Houston region, which leads to job creation and capital investment.

The Director is also responsible for developing targeted programs, events, missions, and activities for GHP member companies involved in international business, trade development, and related activities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The following responsibilities are essential to job performance:

• Develops international business and trade development strategies, events, and activities for member companies.
• Develops strategic programs, events, and activities to attract foreign direct investment into the Houston region.
• Develops strategic programs, events, and activities to aid companies in the Houston region export their goods or services.
• Establishes and maintains strategic external relationships with high-level international government and business development allies.
• Coordinates and facilitates all GHP in-bound and out-bound international missions to the Americas.
• Assists with department budgets, annual work programs, project tracking, and formulation of business strategies.
• Assists in the development of policy positions – identifies issues, develops positions, and designs and executes advocacy plans- to enhance the international competitiveness and business perception of the Houston region.
• Attends, participates, and supports the Business Councils, Committees, and Sub-Committees managed by the International Investment and Trade Department.
• Represents GHP at assigned special functions, deliver speeches when requested, and join trade missions as assigned.
• Maintains contacts with elected and appointed officials with the City of Houston, Counties, and State, World Trade Center Association, Consulates, Trade Offices,
• Bilateral Chambers, Foreign Banks, International Government Officials, and international companies here in Houston.
• Coordinates routine activities with other departments and divisions of GHP as applicable.

Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The following knowledge, skills, and abilities are desirable for job success:

• Excellent writing, grammar, and public speaking skills required.
• Intermediate level proficiency in Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience in maintaining good public relations with international organizations.
• Experience working with all professional levels of internal and external contacts.
• Experience in a fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and deadlines, with minimal supervision.
• Ability and flexibility to prioritize assignments and work on multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Ability to work in a team environment and share tasks.
• Bilingual or Multilingual skills preferred in languages pertinent to the region (Mexico, French Canada, Brazil).
• International travel experience preferred. Regional cultural awareness is considered a plus. 20-25% of travel included.
• Flexibility to work occasional overtime, as necessary.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in international business or a related field is required. MBA is a plus.

Required Experience

5 years of direct private sector experience in sales or international business development is required.

Physical Requirements

• Good vision and hearing acuity (with adaptive aids if necessary).
• Manual dexterity and skillful use of computer keyboard.
• Physical exertion includes bending, pushing, standing, and walking. Must be able to move or lift approximately 25 pounds on occasion.

Mental and Aptitude Requirements

• Job requires the ability to hear, see, and talk; analytical, conceptual, problem-solving, planning, and decision-making skills.

Safety Requirements

• Adhere to the office safety policies and procedures.

The Greater Houston Partnership is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are treated without regard to such factors as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other reason prohibited by law.