EDC Chief Executive Officer, City of Mission, Texas

Altiva Management Group; Mission (TX); On-site; USD 165,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mission Economic Development Corporation seeks a Chief Executive Officer to lead the city’s economic development strategy, workforce development, and business attraction. The CEO reports to the Board, guides staff and consultants, and drives cross-border initiatives with Mexico while managing budgets, incentives, and performance metrics.

Altiva Management Group conducts the executive search for Mission EDC and will coordinate a competitive, transparent process toward selection and onboarding

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economic development, economics, business administration, finance, public administration, political science, urban planning, real estate, or a related field.
• Five years of senior leadership in economic development or related fields, with responsibility for staff, budgets, major projects, negotiations, and board relations.
• Valid Texas Class C driver’s license

Responsibilities

• Lead the organization by directing Mission EDC staff and consultants and developing each employee’s career.
• Recruitment and expansion: generate and close projects through lead development, prospect management, incentive negotiation, and site assistance.
• Retention and expansion: visit existing employers, document concerns, track follow-up and report quarterly.
• Budget and finance: manage revenues, expenses, grants, contracts, and incentive agreements in full compliance.
• Work with the Board: deliver monthly board packets and CEO dashboards; provide updates and notice material issues.
• Cross-border business: travel to Mexico and build relationships to advance the bridge, logistics, and assets.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder relations

Strategic planning

Cross-border collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree

Job description

The Mission Economic Development Corporation is searching for its next Chief Executive Officer. Executive search conducted by Altiva Management Group.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Mission, Texas is a city of nearly 89,000 on the U.S.-Mexico border, and Mission EDC is its economic development arm. The EDC runs on an annual budget of more than $8.2 million and reports to a seven-member Board of Directors.

The next CEO inherits an active portfolio: the 55,000-square-foot Center for Education and Economic Development (CEED), the 160-acre Mission Expressway Business Park, home to 36 companies, and the Anzalduas International Bridge, Mission’s commercial gateway to Mexico. Recent wins include ZERLUMA’s $50 million aluminum recycling and manufacturing facility, the $27 million Shops at 495 retail center, and a $6 million Ecoat.us expansion that adds 45 jobs and keeps 80 more.

THE POSITION

The Chief Executive Officer is Mission EDC’s chief administrator, appointed by and reporting to the Board of Directors. The CEO leads business attraction, retention and expansion, workforce and talent development, and small business programs, and develops and carries out the City’s economic development strategy.

The Board wants a leader who puts Mission first, is strong in finance, communicates early and clearly, and builds relationships on both sides of the border.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the organization. Direct Mission EDC staff and consultants, build a capable team, cross-train, and develop each employee’s career.

Recruitment and expansion. Generate and close projects through lead development, prospect management, incentive negotiation, and site assistance, with prospect information handled in confidence.

Retention and expansion program. Visit existing employers on a regular schedule, document concerns, assign follow-up, and report quarterly.

Budget and finance. Manage budgeted revenues and expenses, grants, contracts, and incentive agreements in full compliance.

Work with the Board. Deliver a monthly Board packet and CEO dashboard before each regular meeting, a weekly update to the Board President, and immediate notice of any material issue.

Property and parks. Develop and market EDC-owned sites and business parks, and coordinate engineers, attorneys, developers, and financing on every project.

Cross-border business. Travel to Mexico, build relationships with industry and government partners, and position Mission’s bridge, logistics, and industrial assets.

Workforce and small business. Align training with employer needs through Mission Ready, South Texas College, UTRGV, and school districts, and carry forward Ruby Red Ventures, Build Mission, and the Downtown Assistance Program.

Marketing and public presence. Run Mission EDC’s marketing plan and public relations, represent the EDC at trade shows and conferences, and stay visible in the community.

Measure results. Maintain a pipeline tracked by stage, investment, and jobs, and report against a Board-approved annual scorecard.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in economic development, economics, business administration, finance, public administration, political science, urban planning, real estate, or a related field

Five years of senior leadership in economic development, business development, commercial real estate, public administration, finance, or municipal management, with responsibility for staff, budgets, major projects, negotiations, and board relations

Valid Texas Class C driver’s license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in a related field

Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) or Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) designation

Professional fluency in English and Spanish

Experience with international trade, logistics, or cross-border business development

Experience leading an economic development organization, or a comparable business or real estate organization

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

Puts Mission first: the city’s interests guide every decision, and Mission EDC is the top priority

Outgoing, and a team player with the Board, City leadership, staff, and partners

Strong in finance and accountable for results

Honest and transparent: reports results early and accurately

Comfortable traveling to Mexico and building relationships across the border

Builds and develops the team

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$165,000 to $190,000, depending on qualifications and experience, plus a full executive benefits package.

City-paid benefits include:

Medical insurance through Curative

Texas Municipal Retirement System membership at 7 percent with a 2-to-1 City match

Life and AD&D insurance

13 paid holidays, 10 vacation days, and 12 sick days

Employee Assistance Program

Voluntary dental, vision, disability, supplemental, legal, and deferred compensation plans are also available.

SEARCH TIMELINE

January 2027: Interviews and selection

March 2027: New CEO begins

Mission EDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ABOUT MISSION EDC

The Mission Economic Development Corporation is the economic development arm of the City of Mission, Texas, responsible for business recruitment, retention and expansion, workforce development, and entrepreneurship. Learn more at missionedc.com.

ABOUT ALTIVA MANAGEMENT GROUP

Altiva Management Group is a municipal operations and leadership solutions firm based in Edinburg, Texas. Learn more at altivamg.com.