Executive Vice President
Opportunity Profile 2024

Overview

Richmond

One of the wealthiest and most beautiful states in America, the Commonwealthof Virginia offers exceptional human capital, geographic, and infrastructure assets.
Virginia is also home to a diverse array of leading private-sector firms, world-classcolleges and universities, national labs, and important military installations, aswell as one of the most educated populations in the country. Virginia’s integrated
transportation system of highways, railroads, airports, and seaports provides
logistical advantages for companies in every industry, including notable access tothe deepest and widest port on the East Coast and Dulles International Airport.
For nearly three decades, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)
has served as Virginia’s state economic development authority. VEDP is regarded
as among the best state-level economic development organizations in the country.
As a quasi-independent state authority governed by a board of directors that spans
gubernatorial administrations, VEDP is a nonpartisan organization with stable
leadership and nimble, creative, mission-focused operations.
VEDP collaborates with local, regional, and state partners to encourage the expansion
and diversification of Virginia’s economy. VEDP works to accomplish these objectives
through a variety of activities, including marketing and lead generation; businessretention, expansion, and attraction; trade development; business intelligence;competitive benchmarking; site development; performance-based incentives; and talentsolutions. VEDP has offices in Virginia, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.
By statute, VEDP creates economic opportunity for the Commonwealth througheight core categories of responsibility:

Microsoft Corporation
rendering, FairfaxCounty■

Ensure that effective marketing programs are delivered■

Engage in business development activities■

Engage in product development activities■

Encourage coordination of economic development organizations■

Encourage exports of Virginia’s products and services■

Assist in formulating Virginia’s economic development strategies■

Administer economic development incentive programs■

Fulfill administrative and reporting responsibilities

VEDP has a staff of over 200 and an annual operating budget of more than
$50 million.
VEDP offers a dynamic, collaborative, high-profile, fast-paced professional
environment where a strategic, integrated, action-oriented approach is thestandard.
Trex Company, Inc.,
Frederick County

1Context
Collaborating with hundreds of local, regional, and state partners in its strategicplanning process, VEDP has five transformational goals for Virginia and VEDP
that represent the central focus of its work:
1. Robust State Growth: Position Virginia to achieve a growth rate among that ofthe top 10 states in the U.S.
2. Every Region Wins: Ensure that every region participates in the growth of theCommonwealth3. Best State for Business: Cultivate a leading business climate and sectorspecific ecosystems
4. Top State for Talent: Establish Virginia as a top state for talent retention,
attraction, development, and alignment
5. Most Innovative, Collaborative, and Effective State EDO: Solidify VEDP’sposition as one of America’s top state EDOs through an innovative strategy,
collaborative approach, and effective outcomes
VEDP’s staff operates under a shared set of organizational values:■

One VEDP: Working together as a collaborative, supportive team■Distinctive Insight: Cultivating deep expertise and diverse perspectives

■

■

■

Authentic Partnerships: Building strong partnerships based on integrity,authenticity, and respect
Growth Mindset: Embracing continuous improvement with humility andboldness
Results Focus: Competing with the grit to win and the curiosity to learn fromour results

Today, VEDP is poised to build on its strong foundation and accelerate progress
toward realizing the transformational goals of the Strategic Plan through a bold,new operating model: the Innovative Framework for Economic Growth, which
entails deep, holistic focus on core growth sectors through a whole-ofgovernment approach in close collaboration with state, regional, and local
partners. With significant new funding for economic development in the statebudget and state leaders embracing economic development as a top priority,
VEDP has an opportunity to fully achieve all five transformational goals over thenext several years.

2Position Overview
VEDP is seeking to hire an Executive Vice President (EVP) who will play a central role inachieving VEDP’s transformational economic development goals by strategicallyleading the implementation and continuous improvement of the Innovative Framework
operating model across VEDP’s lead generation, ecosystem building, project management, research, incentives, and marketing functions.
The EVP also will play a vital leadership role in collaborating with the President andCEO in leading VEDP’s overall strategy and operations to encourage, stimulate, andsupport the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth incollaboration with state, regional, and local partners.
Virginia Tech Innovation
Campus rendering,Alexandria

The EVP position reports to VEDP’s President and CEO and requires strong leadershipand management experience with a proven track record of collaborating with diversepartners and constituents to achieve mutually beneficial goals and objectives.

Core Responsibilities
In close collaboration with the President and CEO, the Executive Vice President leads thedevelopment and execution of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s business development
strategy. This position has direct responsibility for active leadership of six (6) corefunctional areas of VEDP and oversight of the activities of these functional areas.
1. Sector Teams develop and implement strategies to promote employment
growth within VEDP’s core sectors of Knowledge Work (Software andCybersecurity, Business and Financial Services, and Aerospace and Defense
Innovation industries), Manufacturing (Advanced Materials, Food and Beverage,and Biopharmaceuticals), and Logistics. Sector Team responsibilities include
business development to attract new companies to Virginia and ecosystembuilding to strengthen Virginia’s competitive position in core sectors.
(~16 staff positions across three Sector Teams)

Norfolk International
Terminals

2. Strategic Projects and Lead Generation focuses on high-profile engagements(foreign direct investment, site consultant cultivation, Governor-led marketing
missions, transformational projects) and targeted lead generation for 12 othertarget industries that are not included within core sectors. (~13 staff positions)
3. Business Investment coordinates and manages assigned projects, incollaboration with internal and external partners, to provide best in classservice to our clients interested in relocating or expanding in Virginia.
(~14 staff positions)
4. Research creates customized, relevant, and insightful analysis and datavisualizations that promote a common understanding of Virginia’s full value
proposition, with a central focus on fast-turn, high-priority, tailored client service(e.g., RFP responses, economic analysis). (~26 staff positions)
5. Incentives reviews, vets, tracks, and coordinates economic development
incentives administered by VEDP and those offered by the Commonwealth ora locality in conjunction with VEDP. (~7 staff positions)
6. Marketing and Communications manages Virginia’s business brand (and VEDP’s)and builds awareness of the Commonwealth’s advantages among C-level
executives nationally and globally. (~14 staff positions)Haleon, Richmond3Experience Required
■

■

■

■

■

■

■

■

Minimum of 15 years total professional experience and 10 years of progressive
leadership experience in successfully leading/managing organizations while
cultivating an exceptional executive skill set, including significant people
management responsibilities and ability to engage effectively with top-level
executives
Deep experience in developing and operationalizing an operating model forlead generation and executing the full life cycle of lead generation and project
management across a range of industry sectors and geographical contexts
with a consistent track record of delivering solutions that secure project wins
Ability to develop organizational and individual performance metrics for leadgeneration and ecosystem development initiatives
Ability to implement a reporting framework that provides insight into pipeline
health, opportunity qualification and conversion to economic development
projects, and identify risk in the pipeline regarding VEDP’s ability to meet its
overall economic development goals
Direct economic development experience, ideally at the state level with avariety of core functions
Effectiveness in implementing an organizational structure with clear roles andaccountability and fostering a culture that generates productivity, innovation,and successHighly professional management approach to planning, organizing,
coordinating, and directing business development and/or economicdevelopment programs
Demonstrated ability to identify key decision factors and differentiators forbusiness development opportunities, and to craft marketing messages andcustomized, comprehensive solutions accordingly

Experience Desired■■

Track record of achieving success in new environments and/or amidst
significant organizational change
Significant engagement with state government operations and economic
development partners at the local, regional, and state levels, ideally in Virginia

Education
Graduation from an accredited university with a bachelor’s degree in a related field(e.g., business, economics, marketing) is required. An MBA, MPA, or equivalentdegree is preferred.

4

Personal Attributes

Framatome, Lynchburg■

Embodies VEDP’s values■

Strategic thinker■

Results-oriented implementer■

Excellent communicator■

Competitive and entrepreneurial■

Exceptional attention to detail■

Strong work ethic■

Highly responsive■

Impeccable character■

Leads by example■

Able to delegate (trust and verify) and prioritize the level of personal
involvement■

Good instincts, flexible, and adaptive to change■

Promoter of talent development in direct reports and staff■

Strong relationship-building skills (natural, instinctive)■

Likable and comfortable in social settings■■

Ability to adjust communication style to be effective with the audience/
situation
Understands and able to earn credibility in the dynamics of a multiple
stakeholder position■

Apolitical yet politically savvy■

Passion for public sector impact

Compensation
Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Amazon HQ2 rendering,Arlington County

References and Background Information
It is VEDP’s policy to complete an extensive background and reference check ofcandidates. Once strong mutual interest has been established, candidates are asked
to provide a list of references that should include, but not be limited to, a supervisor,a peer, a development client, and a subordinate, as applicable. Candidates will be
asked to sign an authorization to release Information for the purpose of backgroundinvestigation, which may include verification of education, credit check, criminal, anddriving records. Should an offer be extended prior to the completion of these checks,
the offer will be made contingent on the successful completion of the reference
and background checks. Candidate will be required to file a Statement of Economic
Interest. More information can be found on the Virginia Conflict of Interest andEthics Advisory Council website.

Humpback Rocks,Augusta County

5Application Process
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 www.vedp.org/careers. Applicantsmust submit a resume and cover letter. A valid Virginia driver’s license and ability
to obtain a passport is required. Application deadline: Open Until FilledVEDP 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 orvedphr@VEDP.org. TDD 1.800.828.1120.

6