Executive Director

Jorgenson Pace has been retained to conduct this executive search.Organizational BackgroundFounded in 1985, the Hancock Economic Development Council (HEDC) is the lead nonprofit economic development organization for Hancock County, Indiana. We unite business, government, education, and community leaders to drive regional prosperity. With a dedicated staff of four, HEDC delivers critical programming across business advocacy, workforce development, regional marketing, and business attraction, retention, and expansion (BRE).Hancock County is currently at a once-in-a-generation inflection point. Building on decades of growth, recent transformative announcements have placed the county on an exceptional trajectory. HEDC is intentionally evolving its approach: moving from reactive deal support to a proactive, strategy-led model.This role offers a rare opportunity to:· Shape Strategy: Design HEDC's economic development roadmap, rather than just executing it.· Build the Pipeline: Own and scale the business attraction engine from the ground up.· Be the Face of the County: Act as the primary envoy to site selectors, investors, and state partners.· Drive Durable Impact: Leave a visible, lasting mark on the organization and the community's future.Why Hancock County?• Indiana's fastest-growing county.• Located within the Indianapolis metropolitan area.• Strong fiscal health and local government partnerships.• Exceptional schools and quality of life.• Recent trans"all-hands-on-deck" collaboration, offering significant opportunities for professional growth in a fast-paced environment.Position SummaryHEDC is seeking a strategic, results-driven Executive Director. This senior leadership role is responsible for creating and executing HEDC's economic development strategy while advancing attraction, expansion, and retention efforts throughout Hancock County.Reporting to the Executive Committee, the Executive Director serves as a respected convener and Hancock County's principal economic development representative, leading high-stakes negotiations and building credibility with corporate decision-makers and public-sector partners. This role is a connector and catalyst, aligning local assets with market opportunities to position Hancock County as a premier, site-ready location for global investment.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesOrganizational Leadership: Supervise, mentor, and evaluate HEDC staff (3 FTE); foster a high-performance culture aligned with the board's strategic vision. Board Relations: Partner with the Executive Committee and Board of Directors to establish priorities, define performance measures, communicate progress, and support informed governance and decision-making. Strategic Leadership: Lead and own the business attraction, expansion, and retention (BRE) strategy for HEDC. Deal Execution: Serve as the primary point of contact and "closer" for all active attraction projects. Pipeline Management: Build and manage a robust CRM-driven pipeline of prospective companies and investments, including project status, next actions, capital investment, job creation, wage levels, and conversion metrics. Business Retention and Expansion: Establish and maintain a structured employer engagement program to identify expansion opportunities, address business challenges, coordinate resources, and strengthen relationships with Hancock County's existing employers. Site Coordination: Lead prospective business visits and tours of sites and buildings throughout the county. Incentive Negotiation: Partner with local elected leadership and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) to develop, coordinate, and negotiate competitive local and state incentive proposals. Proposal Management: Oversee the execution of RFIs, site submissions, and presentations with speed, accuracy, and strategic clarity. Stakeholder Alignment: Coordinate with local government, utilities, and workforce institutions to assemble executable project solutions. Relationship Management: Cultivate high-value partnerships with site selectors, commercial real estate brokers, and international corporate leaders. County Leadership Engagement: Develop and maintain strong working relationships with County Commissioners and other local elected officials by providing regular updates on economic development activities, commercial real estate market trends, competitive site selection practices, and the strategic use of incentives. Build understanding and support for policies and investments that enhance Hancock County's long-term competitiveness. Performance Management: Establish and report clear organizational and project metrics related to pipeline activity, employer engagement, capital investment, jobs, wages, and strategic priorities. Operational Oversight: Develop and manage the organization's annual budget, align financial resources with strategic priorities, monitor revenue and expenses, and provide periodic financial and performance reports to the Board of Directors. Revenue Development and Financial Sustainability: Identify and cultivate new and expanded revenue sources, including private-sector investment, public funding, grants, sponsorships, service agreements, and strategic partnerships. Work with the Board to strengthen HEDC's financial position and build a sustainable budget capable of supporting the organization's strategic priorities. Community and Public Communication: Serve as a visible spokesperson for HEDC and communicate the organization's strategy, activities, and results to investors, public officials, community partners, the media, and the broader public, as appropriate.Required Knowledge and ExpertiseThe Executive Director must maintain a deep working knowledge of:· Available site and building inventory and local infrastructure/utility capacity.· Local industry clusters, major employers, and workforce/education assets.· Economic development tools, including tax abatements and state-level IEDC programs.· Key data metrics and "quality of life" assets used to build a compelling business case.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesEducation: Bachelor's degree required.Experience: Minimum of five (5) years in economic development, site selection, corporate real estate, or high-level business development.Track Record: Demonstrated success leading or materially contributing to business attraction, retention, expansion, capital investment, or job-creation projects.Leadership Experience: Experience managing staff, budgets, boards, or complex stakeholder relationships.Mindset: Sales-oriented, persistent, and service-driven with the ability to thrive in high-autonomy environments.Communication: Exceptional verbal and written skills; a mature approach to professional interactions.Adaptability: Ability to manage complex details and multiple deadlines within a collaborative team.Confidentiality: Absolute discretion in handling sensitive project and prospect information.Technical: Proficiency in office suites, CRM databases, and industry-specific software.Preferred Competencies· Proven impact on capital investment, job creation, and wage growth.· Established relationships within the national site selector and consultant community.· Experience navigating multi-jurisdictional environments (local, state, and utility).· Professional certification in economic development (e.g., CEcD).· Ability to travel as needed to represent Hancock County.· Experience generating organizational revenue through investor engagement, public-private partnerships, grants, sponsorships, contracts, or other funding strategies.· Preference will be given to candidates who currently reside in Hancock County or are willing to relocate to the county. Resume and cover letter to [email protected]