Vice President, External Affairs

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) is seeking a Vice President in its External Affairs Division. The Vice President of External Affairs is responsible for managing VEDP’s relationships with the General Assembly and Virginia’s congressional delegation, as well as playing a leadership role in cultivating healthy partner relationships with other key groups (e.g., local and regional EDOs, utilities, trade associations, and other key stakeholders/partners) throughout the year. The Vice President will work collaboratively across the organization and with external partners to advance policies and initiatives to increase Virginia’s competitive position. Core activities include overseeing budget and legislative development and advancement; working with the Governor’s Administration, Virginia General Assembly, and Virginia’s Congressional Delegation; overseeing VEDP’s partner relations program, outreach, and initiatives; and special projects.

This full-time position reports to the Senior Vice President of Policy and Strategic Partnerships and has regular interaction with VEDP’s President & CEO, other division leaders and staff, and a variety of economic development partners and stakeholders across the Commonwealth. The position manages a staff of approximately three professional, full-time staff members and one shared support staff.

The Vice President plays a key role in helping VEDP achieve a set of transformational goals outlined in its strategic plan, including achieving a growth rate among the top 5-10 states in the U.S., experiencing positive growth in every region, and securing VEDP’s position as one of America’s premier state economic development organizations.

VEDP offers a dynamic, collaborative, high-profile, fast-paced professional environment where a strategic, integrated, action-oriented approach is the standard.

Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership to the External Affairs division, working closely with the Senior Vice President to set strategy and priority initiatives. Interact professionally, collaboratively, and strategically with all departments of VEDP and external stakeholders
• Serves as a key point of contact for relationships with the Governor's Administration, Virginia General Assembly, Virginia's Congressional Delegation, local and regional economic developers, and other core partners
• Assist the Senior Vice President by managing incoming, time-sensitive requests for data, talking points, and other information requested by the Governor's Administration, Virginia General Assembly and staff, Virginia's Congressional Delegation, and other partners as needed
• Serves as the key contact and provide staff support for the Legislation and Policy Committee and the Rural Virginia Action Committee of the VEDP Board of Directors
• Responsible for the development and advancement of VEDP's budget and legislative agenda, working collaboratively with the Administration and Virginia General Assembly
• Serve on workgroups representing VEDP as appropriate
• Responsible for the development of presentations, testimony, and talking points as requested for engagement with the General Assembly or others on behalf of VEDP
• Attend events and meetings conducted by external organizations that pertain to VEDP's mission and initiatives
• Develop and manage relationships with Virginia’s Congressional Delegation and work with them on projects and policies as needed
• Implement new outreach and engagement initiatives with legislators and decision makers across the Commonwealth
• Serve as a key point of contact for relationships with local and regional economic developers, project delivery partners, policy and programmatic partners, and other core partners
• Oversee the engagement between VEDP staff and external stakeholders, ensuring regular outreach and engagement is conducted and coordinated through the External Affairs Division, including participating in a comprehensive partner engagement program
• Assist the Senior Vice President with speaking engagements to external groups regarding VEDP initiatives, the operational plan, strategic plan and budget and legislative proposals
• Oversees the planning and execution of regional familiarization (FAM) tours for VEDP staff and tours for the Secretary of Commerce and Trade

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, economics, political science, public administration, or other related field; Master’s degree preferred, but not required
• Substantial direct experience in government affairs may be substituted for a directly relevant degree (although a bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement)

Required experience, knowledge, and expertise:

• Minimum 10 years of experience working in government affairs
• Working knowledge of and experience with the Virginia legislative landscape and state government process
• Comprehensive knowledge of business, economic development, local government, etc. organizations in Virginia
• Strong oral and written communication expertise and skills required
• Demonstrated ability to plan, develop, and implement projects; negotiate and resolve problems; and formulate and communicate recommendations
• Experience conducting research and writing white papers, legislative reports, talking points, studies, guidelines, or position statements
• Ability to work constructively and effectively in a team environment by making positive contributions to the team’s operations, functions, and working relationships
• Management of internal direct reports and indirect reports
• Division/department management, resource allocation, and project delegation
• Project leadership and management, working within external/internal cross-functional teams
• Operational performance management and reporting
• Support of organization-wide efforts

Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. VEDP uses the E-Verify system and does not provide sponsorship. All candidates must apply through our website https://www.vedp.org/careers. Application deadline: August 12, 2022.

VEDP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or against otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities. It is VEDP’s intent that its employment and personnel policies and practices conform to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applicants requiring more information or requiring assistance may contact VEDP Human Resources at 1-804-545-5634 or vedphr@VEDP.org. TDD 1-800-828-1120.