Associate Director (Exempt)

This position represents the Office of International Trade, working to attract international businesses and investment into the State and managing programs that support international business development. Liaises between DCCED, the Governor’s Office, and other state agencies for international trade meetings and hosting foreign delegations. Serves as the expert on international trade protocol.

Essential Functions:  

• Conducts outreach efforts to industry professionals, partnering organizations, and other private and public entities to engage international investors in the State and generate new foreign investor referrals. 
• Creates and identifies new opportunities and partners to work with the Office of International Trade.
• Represents the Office of International Trade at public events when requested by the Commissioner and presents State programs to the public as needed. Must be comfortable speaking on behalf of the Administration in public, and capable of presenting in a professional, confident, and respectful manner in both large and small settings. 
• Manages correspondence and scheduling for international inquiries. Attention to detail and organizational skills are essential. 
• Serves as point of contact, or staff to the point of contact if another POC is lead, for international business investors interested in Alaska projects and businesses, introducing them to relevant divisions and partner organizations and participates in relevant meetings. 
• Plans and executes the organization of events, international business missions, and incoming foreign delegations as needed including scheduling, coordination of gifts, and hosting responsibilities.
• Conducts research on international companies with investments in Alaska and on international business leads. Prepares background research reports for the Office of the Governor or for members of the cabinet when meeting or considering meeting with foreign delegations. Maintains contact lists, 
• Participates in conferences on international trade and investment, when required.
• Cooperates with relevant DCCED divisions and sister agencies to develop and implement business retention strategies and initiatives.
• Supports the Commissioner through research, special projects, including those unrelated to international trade. 
• The successful candidate must be an independent worker, able to take direction but also make independent informed decisions. This role is responsible for many administrative responsibilities as well as higher level duties and therefore requires depth and breadth of experience and capability.  
• This position may be required to travel internationally. A passport and no criminal record that would restrict travel capability is required. 

Critical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of Alaska’s business climate and business opportunities.
• Exceptional relationship management skills.
• Strong presentation, public speaking, business writing skills, and the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to foreign and domestic audiences. 
• Understanding of international trade or strong background in business. 
• Ability to analyze and understand industry trends and business models of companies in various sectors.
• Ability to prioritize workload, must be a self-starter and highly organized, detail-oriented, handle various tasks simultaneously, and work independently within limited time constraints with little or no supervision.
• Strong research skills, proficient at compiling and analyzing data, and presenting findings and conclusions in memos and other narrative formats.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and execute executive-level meetings, conferences, and international business attraction missions and trade shows, in conjunction with other government departments, as well as the private-sector.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially PowerPoint and Excel, and the ability to learn new software packages.
• Strong work ethic, ability to be proactive and responsive in a team environment.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and deal effectively and diplomatically with business professionals and staff.
• Demonstrates respectful behavior, promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer focused work environment among staff and external customers.