Economic Development Director

Job Summary:

The Economic Development Director is responsible for the administration and management of assigned economic development projects at all stages. The Economic Development Director works in conjunction with Tribal Council, and the Executive Team (acting as an advisory board) for economic development strategy and priorities. The Director oversees the related activities of consultants and other professionals. The Director analyzes business proposals and opportunities, performs preliminary feasibility assessments, provides due diligence, prepares project budgets and business plans, takes a leading role in contract negotiations, coordinates economic development activities and program plans, writes status reports, and assists in related income calculation and valuation of business investments. This position may be based out of the Portland or Grand Ronde office and required to commute depending on location.

Essential Functions:

Provides economic development and business investment policy and program recommendations.
Determines sound business opportunities by analyzing and developing proposals, including negotiations, for Tribal Council and Executive Team (economic development advisory board) review.
Performs financial feasibility assessments and pro forma analysis of proposed investments.
Conducts due diligence on investment opportunities and makes investment recommendations to Tribal Council and Executive Team with all required information and supporting documents for review.
Prepares, updates, tracks and implements economic development strategic plans tiered to Tribal Council policy and plans and for assigned investment and development projects.
Establishes project timelines and critical path objectives.
Develops and evaluates business plans, project budgets, financial data, and market reports.
Develops sound financial plans (including revenue and profit goals, cost reductions) and oversees operating budgets for the projects.
Negotiates and monitors related contracts and consulting agreements.
Manages, monitors, measures, and reports on program and project performance and recommends remedial or corrective action where necessary, including exit strategies when necessary.
Responsible for income calculation and valuation of assigned investments.
Keeps abreast of related interests and serves as a Tribal representative in the local, state, and Indian business community to further economic development opportunities for the Tribe.
Researches, develops, and analyzes demographic and economic data including economic forecasting to spot opportunities and trends in investments.
Works collaboratively as a team member alongside Tribal managers and employees and in a professional and courteous manner with Tribal Council, the Tribal Membership and the community.
Collaborates with tribal entities, such as the Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO), on a regular basis.

Works in a professional and courteous manner, as a representative of the Tribe, with all those with whom coming in contact to include federal and state agencies, business enterprises, vendors, and contractors.
Embraces, supports, and promotes established Tribal values such as integrity, honesty, loyalty, accountability, and trust.
Attends the regular General Council Meeting to assist Tribal Council as needed with response and communication to the membership.  Regular attendance is required for this position.
Performs a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Supervisory:

Ensures the hiring, training, promoting, assigning, disciplining and discharging of employees are in accordance with Tribal Law, including without limitation, the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO).
Assures staff adherence to all policies and procedures, work, safety and administrative rule, Tribal Law and State Regulations.
Serves as a mentor, as requested, for Tribal career development

Education, Experience, and Licenses:

Requires a bachelor’s degree in a directly relevant field of study such as economics, finance, accounting, or business administration.  Master’s degree in Business Administration or directly relevant and justified specialized master’s degree program preferred.
Requires 7 years of experience in the acquisition and successful management of business investments, the evaluation of business operations, performance and finances, the development and implementation of relevant risk analysis and due diligence procedures, or similar work.
Accredited or certified as a financial analyst, public accountant, or project manager relevant to business investments is desirable.
Driving Requirements:

This position may require driving.

Qualifications, Registrations, and Certifications:

Ability to read and understand business financial statements and pro forma statements.
Ability to interpret financial information, including cash flow, profit trend, and return on investment.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical material and legal documents.
Ability to collect investment data, establish facts, identify and define problems, and draw relevant conclusions.
Ability to develop meaningful evaluation and control methodology.
Ability to network, collaborate, and develop meaningful partnerships within the Tribal Government and its business enterprises.
Demonstrated written and oral communication skills, including public relations and the ability to present information effectively required.
General knowledge of real estate practices, land transaction methods, and related documents (such as title records).
General knowledge of related principles and practices in local and industrial zoning.
Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, statutes and regulations applicable to Indian Tribes.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to Native American culture is required.

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Continually requires the ability to express or receive detailed information or important instructions through oral communication.
Continually requires working with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm.  Requires repetitive movement of wrists, hands and/or fingers.  Often requires walking or moving about to accomplish tasks.
Requires standing and/or sitting for sustained periods of time, raising objects from a lower to a higher position and/or moving objects horizontally.
Occasionally requires lifting of up to 20 pounds.
This position is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions which provide protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes, and is occasionally subject to outside environmental conditions.
Supports a safe work environment by performing all duties in accordance with Tribal safety policies and procedures, and Emergency Management Plan.
Due to the nature of the interactions with other employees and the public we serve, employees may be required to provide documentation of, or receive, certain health vaccinations.
May be called upon to serve as a Disaster Reservist during emergencies.
Local travel is occasionally required, depending on employee’s office location of Portland or Grand Ronde.  Travel outside of the state is infrequently required.

Background Check:

Candidates for this position will be subject to criminal and character background checks and may be subject to fingerprinting.