EVP for Economic Development

PIDC; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 260,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

A leading economic development organization in Philadelphia is seeking an Executive Vice President for Economic Development to drive strategic initiatives. The role involves leading teams, managing external relationships, and providing insights to the Executive Team. Candidates should have over 15 years of relevant experience, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to equitable economic growth. The position offers a compensation range of $260,000 to $280,000 plus benefits.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in economic development, real estate, or related fields.
• Executive-level experience managing senior leaders.
• Working knowledge of economic development finance and public funding.

Responsibilities

• Lead PIDC’s economic development strategy and manage senior leaders.
• Represent PIDC in external relations and policy initiatives.
• Support decision-making and resource allocation for initiatives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Urban economic development knowledge

Collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Advanced degree in finance, economics, business, law, or public administration

Job description

Direct Reports: SVP, Real Estate Services and SVP, Client Engagement & Business Support

Position Summary:

The Executive Vice President (EVP) for Economic Development is a senior executive leader responsible for advancing PIDC’s mission through strategic leadership, organizational alignment, and strong internal and external relationships. Reporting directly to the President, the EVP serves as a key partner in shaping and executing PIDC’s economic development strategy and acts as a visible representative of the organization throughout Philadelphia’s public, private, and civic sectors.

As a member of PIDC’s Executive Team, the EVP takes an organization-wide perspective, contributing to executive decision-making, long-term strategy, and institutional effectiveness. The EVP is expected to model collaborative leadership, clear communication, accountability, and professionalism—setting the tone for how teams work together internally and how PIDC engages externally.

The EVP has executive leadership and oversight responsibility for PIDC’s Financing, Real Estate, and Client Engagement & Business Support functions. While not expected to personally structure every transaction, the EVP must bring strong judgment and a working understanding of finance, real estate, and economic development tools in order to guide senior leaders, evaluate risk and impact, and support the successful execution of complex, high-visibility initiatives. A core priority of the role is managing, supporting, and aligning a seasoned team of Senior Vice Presidents, ensuring the right structures, expectations, systems, and talent are in place to deliver high-quality, equitable, and client-centered economic development services.

The EVP also serves as a trusted advisor to the President and Board on major transactions, organizational priorities, and the evolving economic development landscape.

This role is well suited for a mission-driven leader who is passionate about urban economic development, energized by collaboration, and motivated by the opportunity to make lasting, visible impact in a major U.S. city.

Key Responsibilities:

• Represent PIDC externally and serve as a trusted, steady presence with senior City officials, developers, investors, business leaders, community stakeholders, and partner organizations. Communicate PIDC’s mission, strategy, and value proposition clearly and credibly across a wide range of audiences.
• Provide strategic insight and sound judgment to the President, Executive Team, and Senior Leadership Team to support decision-making, prioritization, and resource allocation.
• Present to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors on matters related to PIDC’s products, services, and major initiatives; staff Board Committees as assigned.
• Partner with the President in maintaining and strengthening PIDC’s relationship with the City of Philadelphia, including serving as a key liaison on major projects and transactions.
• Participate actively in short- and long-term strategic planning, including setting organizational priorities, defining outcomes, and establishing systems to track performance and impact.
• Support public policy and legislative initiatives related to economic development, as directed by the President.
• Cultivate new business relationships and support revenue generation, capitalization, and resource-development efforts across the organization.

Products & Services Team Management

• Recruit, develop, support, and retain senior leaders at the VP and SVP levels who are responsible for strategy, performance, people management, and financial results within their functions.
• Establish clear annual goals and performance expectations with direct reports, aligned with PIDC’s strategic plan and equity objectives.
• Provide strategic guidance and coaching to senior leaders, supporting effective decision-making, collaboration, and professional development.
• Ensure strong coordination and integration across Financing, Real Estate, and Client Engagement functions, as well as with other PIDC departments.
• Evaluate the effectiveness, scale, and impact of PIDC’s products and services, including financial performance, client outcomes, and alignment with mission priorities.
• Drive continuous improvement in systems, processes, and policies to ensure efficient, consistent, and customer-centric service delivery.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion across all aspects of PIDC’s economic development work, including product design, client experience, and neighborhood impact.
• Build organizational capacity—including talent, technology, and data systems—to support growth, accountability, and long-term sustainability.

Transaction Advisory and Management

• Review and screen agendas and transactional resolutions for Executive Committee and Board meetings.
• Advise the President and senior leaders on the structuring, risk assessment, and execution of complex, high-profile, or cross-functional transactions.
• Serve as a calm, credible, and diplomatic leader in challenging negotiations involving multiple senior-level stakeholders, competing interests, and public scrutiny.
• Provide direct project leadership, including project management, transaction structuring, negotiation, documentation, communications, public approvals, financial and fiscal analysis, and urban planning and community impact analysis on select major initiatives as requested by the President.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform special projects as requested by the President and/or Board of Directors.
• Serve in an acting President capacity, as requested.

Candidate Profile:

Professional Experience:

• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, real estate, finance, community investment, public-private partnerships, or a related field.
• Executive-level experience leading complex organizations, teams, or portfolios, with demonstrated ability to manage strong senior leaders.
• Working knowledge of economic development finance, real estate transactions, public funding streams, and public-sector processes; hands-on deal structuring expertise is helpful but not required.
• Experience navigating complex stakeholder environments involving government, business, community, and nonprofit partners.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and remain steady under pressure.
• Strong understanding of urban economic development systems and the ability to bring perspectives from other cities or markets.
• Comfort with technology, data, and systems modernization.

Personal Attributes:

• Deep commitment to PIDC’s mission and to advancing equitable, inclusive economic growth across Philadelphia.
• Proven people leader with the ability to set expectations, make difficult decisions, and build trust at all levels of an organization.
• Strategic, visionary thinker who can translate ideas into actionable plans.
• Calm, confident, and diplomatic presence with the gravitas to lead high-stakes conversations. Highly collaborative, emotionally intelligent, and self-aware; able to manage up, down, and across. Excellent communicator—clear, direct, and persuasive, with strong listening skills.
• Curious, adaptable, resilient, and willing to learn the complexities of Philadelphia’s political and economic landscape.

Education:

• Advanced degree in finance, economics, business, law, public administration, or a related field.

Note:

• Must be a current resident of the city of Philadelphia or willing to relocate within 6 months.

Compensation:

• $260,000 to $280,000 + comprehensive benefits package