Assistant Director, Office of Economic and Business Development

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in government studies, public policy, public administration, planning, or similar discipline required. Professional experience in local or regional economic development, government relations, business relations, or university/community college administration or outreach also required. Direct experience dealing with North Carolina economic and community development preferred. Successful candidates will also possess excellent verbal communication, written communication, and computer skills, as well as a demonstrated ability to facilitate coalition building among diverse constituent groups.

PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS

The Assistant Director, Office of Economic and Business Development (OEBD), works closely with the Director, under minimal supervision, on UNC-Chapel Hill’s economic development outreach and engagement programs. These activities serve to:

• Enhance and further define university efforts to engage businesses, non-profit economic development enterprises, and state, regional and local governments in North Carolina
• Strengthen university contributions to local and regional economic development policy boards
• Inform and serve Carolina faculty regarding North Carolina-specific economic development research and engagement opportunities.

The position requires interacting with faculty and university administration, North Carolina state and local governments, regional public and non-profit economic development organizations, private sector organizations, and with other parties external to the university on sometimes sensitive matters related to economic development. In the performing the activities below, the Assistant Director will operate extensively and frequently in coordination with a wide range of campus faculty and management.

Specific responsibilities include assisting the Director to:

• Create and maintain strong communication with faculty and campus administrators interested in economic development research and engagement
• Maintain a system for tracking contact with university administrators and faculty and for inventorying the economic development assets of UNC-Chapel Hill
• Conduct and provide research on the State of North Carolina, and it’s regions and localities related to economic development and engagement at UNC-Chapel Hill
• Serve as point-of-contact for North Carolina communities, governments, businesses, and non-profit groups seeking economic development assistance from the university
• Serve as OEBD liaison to a wide range of local, regional, and state economic development entities, including local economic development boards, the North Carolina Regional Partnerships, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, UNC System campuses, and the UNC Office of the President
• Take lead in identifying and pursuing internal and external funding opportunities for economic development research and engagement
• Serve as primary recruiter and direct supervisor of graduate student interns and research assistants
• Assist Director in developing and take lead role in implementing OEBD strategic plans
• Perform other duties as necessary

We have reopened the search for the Assistant Director of OEBD--currently filled by Ben Mauk--though Wednesday, May 14. Attached is the PD. Applications must be submitted to the UNC website through human resources but applicants should in addition feel free to submit applications directly to me.

Jesse L. White, Jr, Director
> Office of Economic and Business Development
> 1700 MLK Blvd., Rm. 148
> CB#7409
> Chapel Hill, N.C. 27599-7409
> 919-843-5454