Director of Business Development

Based in Sturgeon Bay, WI, the Director of Business Development at DCEDC leads business retention and expansion, workforce development, and entrepreneurship and small-business growth initiatives for Door County.

Responsibilities

• Engages directly with Door County businesses of diverse sizes and sectors to understand needs through outreach, research, and collaboration with employers.
• Designs and sustains a consistent business retention and expansion program to assess needs and create initiatives that support growth.
• Cultivates relationships with businesses to identify opportunities and resolve challenges.
• Links businesses to local, regional, state, and national resources to meet needs and foster growth.
• Leads talent attraction, retention, and development programs to maintain a vibrant Door County workforce.
• Oversees student engagement activities to promote current employment opportunities and future careers in Door County.
• Drives partner involvement in workforce development by chairing DCEDC's Workforce Development Committee and Business and Education Partnership Committee.
• Coordinates with local, regional, and statewide partners on workforce development efforts.
• Oversees entrepreneurial and small business assistance programs and services.
• Maintains a calendar of classes and activities for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Supports development of business plans.
• Manages Revolving Loan Fund application processes.
• Assists with site selection for business opportunities.
• Connects clients to local, state, and federal resources.
• Collaborates with partner organizations to deliver entrepreneurial programming and development opportunities.
• Leads and coordinates approval committees for RLF programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in economic development, business development, customer engagement, or related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of economic development.
• Ability to rapidly learn Door County's diverse economy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and project management abilities.
• Ability to take initiative, manage multiple priorities, and adapt in a collaborative small-team environment.
• Ability to incorporate input from multiple stakeholders to achieve satisfactory outcomes.

Benefits

• 6 percent of annual compensation contributed to the DCEDC 403(b) retirement plan.
• Travel mileage reimbursement.
• Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation time.
• Health care benefits.
• Paid time off.
• Professional development assistance.
• Retirement plan.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Vision insurance.