Director of Industry Relations

Location:  Hendersonville, NC
Position:   Director of Industry Relations

SUMMARY:

The Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development (HCPED) is seeking a dynamic Director of Industry Relations to spearhead the retention and expansion efforts of advanced manufacturing companies. This role is pivotal in shaping and implementing a robust Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) strategy, while also contributing to workforce development. The ideal candidate is an energetic, strategic thinker and problem solver, ready to introduce innovative strategies tailored to elevate business engagement and sustainable growth in Henderson County.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Conduct personalized Retention Calls involving in-depth assessments, site visits, and interviews to identify challenges and growth opportunities.
• Develop and manage Manufacturing Collective and other advisory councils for industrial and technical groups.
• Manage workforce development initiatives with industry needs by partnering with local educational institutions and partners (Made in Henderson County).
• Provide a concierge service for businesses undergoing expansion or relocation, assisting with site selection, zoning, permitting, and connecting them with local resources.
• Strengthen strategic partnerships and relationships.
• Utilize data analytics tools to track trends and identify at-risk companies for targeted support.
• Organize industry events and programs.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Support requests for information through research, and compilation
• Content support (web, press releases, social media, annual report, proof reading, detailing)
• Assistance with events
• Membership Outreach
• Board of Directors & committee support
• Organizational & facility support
• All other duties as assigned

Desired Skills & Experience: Candidate should possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Candidate must be well organized, motivated, and self-directed. Must be proficient in current Office platforms and software, any experience with Adobe or Salesforce would be valuable. Candidate must be able to support economic development in Henderson County and work with all of our partners and stakeholders.

Hours: Full Time desired, 40 hours a week. Office hours are Monday- Friday, 8:00 AM -5:00 PM. Some after-hours work, events, and travel may be required. The anticipated salary range for this position is $70,000- $90,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and qualifications.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and desired salary range to brittany@hcped.org. Job posting will be active until position is filled. HCPED is an equal opportunity employer.