Economic Development Principal

The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (“KEDA”) is hiring our next economic developer! Make a difference and join our mission-driven, service-oriented team that serves the beautiful, growing, collaborative community that is Kitsap. We’re looking for someone knowledgeable in economic development, workforce development, and/or public-private partnerships to take on this role, managing our workforce efforts and engaging in other areas of economic development.

Responsibilities:

• The primary responsibility of this position is to create, implement and manage KEDA workforce strategies through partnerships. The goal: Elevate the composition of Kitsap’s workforce, strengthen and grow it, making our community attractive to employers and talent.
• Secondary responsibilities exist, and this team member will have additional responsibilities related to other aspects of KEDA’s economic development portfolio. These additional responsibilities will be determined after hiring.

Desired Experience: We’re hiring an Economic Development Principal (salary range $70,000 to $93,000). The successful candidate will also receive a $6,000 healthcare stipend. All applicants should have at least two years of post-secondary education. Candidates need to have technical knowledge of either economic, community, workforce development or public private partnerships. Additionally, the successful candidate will be an exceptional collaborator and strong communicator.

To qualify for the top half of the salary range, the individual will have at least three years experience of economic development. Ideally, they are also already pursuing their Certified Economic Development Professional designation (“CEcD”)—which KEDA will help pay for.

Timeline: Rolling, with an intended close date of January 23, 2025. As such, interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as interviews will also be scheduled on a rolling basis beginning the week of January 6.

Location: KEDA operates a hybrid work environment with one day a week required in our Silverdale office. While not required, it’s preferred the successful candidate lives in Kitsap, the community they serve in economic development.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Economic Development Principal

December 23, 2024

This role manages and executes all workforce development efforts of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (“KEDA”). This position will ideate, collaborate and implement a wide range of workforce strategies in partnership with other organizations meeting the needs of Kitsap’s employers.

This position’s portfolio is not limited to workforce. The Economic Development Principal will contribute to additional aspects of KEDA’s economic development portfolio. Areas will be assigned based on organizational need, team capabilities and company priorities by the Executive Director and will continue to evolve post-hiring. This position reports to the Executive Director.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Workforce Development. Responsible for all KEDA Workforce Development activities. This includes partnering with external stakeholders to deliver programs that meet the needs of area employers: Examples might include opportunities to enhance trade education at K-12 schools, setting up programs to retain more transitioning military and their family members into Kitsap’s workforce, as well as partnering with housing authorities and childcare providers to increase overall workforce capacity.

2. Economic Development Portfolio. Collaborates and works on different parts of KEDA’s economic development portfolio. This may include (but is not limited to) any of the following areas: business retention and expansion; recruitment; public policy and partnership development; economic analysis and research; development finance; entrepreneurial ecosystem development; real estate development; foreign direct investment / exports; grants.

3. Specific Initiatives. This position may work on or manage specific economic development initiatives related to key Kitsap economic issues. The Economic Development Principal may also work on and manage such programs in Kitsap’s core industry cluster areas of Defense, Maritime, Healthcare and Public Employment.

4. Local Expert. Has or develops broad expertise on Kitsap’s economy, communities and employers. Develops trusted partnerships with a variety of entities and persons from the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Serves on a variety of economic development related community boards.

5. Other. Manages various special projects and assists other KEDA team members as needed in order to accomplish organizational goals.

6. Core values. In their daily work, the Principal puts into practice KEDA’s core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Integrity, Respect and Inclusion.

Details and To Apply

Salary and Benefits:

• Compensation range of $70,000 - $93,000.
• Benefits:
  • 401(k) Retirement: KEDA offers a 401(k) retirement package, where we match the employee’s contribution of up to 7.5% of salary into the plan.
  • Healthcare Stipend: We also offer a $6,000 cash contribution towards healthcare costs.
• Vacation: Four weeks annually, plus all federal holidays.
• Paid CEcD Certification—Should the candidate not already hold a Certified Economic Developer credential (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council, KEDA will pay for courses related to that certification.

Schedule: This is a full-time, exempt position of 40 hours weekly or more. KEDA operates a hybrid, flexible work environment with typically one day in the Silverdale office. The work schedule is based on the needs of the position. This position reports to the Executive Director.

Application Instructions and Timeline: Applying as soon as possible is recommended, as KEDA is reviewing applications on a rolling basis for this role. Interviews will also be held on a rolling basis beginning the week of January 6. The position is intended to close no later than January 23.

Candidates can apply by submitting a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact details of three professional references with their materials.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Salary : $70,000 - $93,000