JIDA Executive Director

Town of Wytheville Job Opening Job Title: JIDA Executive Director ANTICIPATED STARTING SALARY: $100,000 to $120,000 Actual compensation will be DOE/DOQ. DEPARTMENT: Joint Industrial Development Authority FLSA DESIGNATION: Exempt POSTED: 09/01/2026 POSITION SUMMARY: The Executive Director for the Joint Industrial Development Authority provides strategic leadership for economic development within Wythe County and the Towns of Wytheville and Rural Retreat. The Executive Director leads business recruitment, retention and expansion, industrial and commercial site development, marketing, and community partnerships while serving as the primary advisor and representative of the Joint IDA Board of Directors. Job Description is attached. Please review the full list of Duties and Responsibilities. ENTRY LEVEL REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in economic development, public administration, business, or a related field. 3-5 years of responsible experience in economic development, local government, or related field. Strong relationship building, communication presentation, organization, and analytical skills. Preferred: Knowledge of Virginia laws, regulations, and programs related to economic development, industrial development, local government, incentives, and public finance. CEcD certification or progress toward certification. Must have the below basic knowledge, skills, and abilities: Ability to work with businesses, government officials, developers, elected officials, community partners, site selectors, utilities, engineers, and government partners on development opportunities. Ability to evaluate opportunities and advise the Board on economic development opportunities, policies, programs, and emerging issues. Coordinate efforts to prepare, grade, improve, and advance development-ready industrial sites. Ability to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Joint IDA and assigned staff and identify grants, incentives, and other resources to advance economic development. Ability to lead business recruitment, retention, and expansion efforts and develop marketing strategies that promote the Joint IDA and the communities it services and market available industrial parks, commercial properties, buildings, and development sites. Please refer to the attached Job Description for additional Required Minimum Qualifications HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must complete a Town of Wytheville Employment Application to be considered for this position. Applications can be found online at https://www.wytheville.org/employment. Applications are to be submitted to the Department of Human Resources by email at [email protected] or in person at the Town Municipal Building. Please submit a completed application including a resume and any certifications orspecial licensures that relate to the advertised position. Please contact the Department of Human Resources with any questions at 276-223-3321. CLOSING DATE: Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The Town of Wytheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. JOB DESCRIPTION Executive Director Joint Industrial Development Authority of Wythe County, Town of Wytheville, and Town of Rural Retreat Salary Range: $100,000-$120,000 Reports To: Joint Industrial Development Authority Board of Directors Employment Status: Full-Time, Exempt POSITION SUMMARY The Executive Director provides strategic leadership for economic development within Wythe County and the Towns of Wytheville and Rural Retreat. The Executive Director leads business recruitment, retention and expansion, industrial and commercial site development, marketing, and community partnerships while serving as the primary advisor and representative of the Joint IDA Board of Directors. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Economic Development and Business Development Develop and implement str tegies that promote investment, job creation, business growth, and expansion of the local tax base. Research target industries and proactively recruit new businesses and industries that align with the community's workforce, infrastructure, sites, and economic development goals. Lead business retention and expansion (BRE) efforts by maintaining relationships with existing businesses and assisting with expansion, workforce, infrastructure, financing, and other economic development needs. Respond to business prospects and coordinate project information, proposals, prospect visits, and followup activities. Build and maintain relationships with businesses, developers, site selectors, property owners, utilities, financial institutions, and economic development partners. Sites, Buildings and Development Market available industrial and commercial sites, lots, and buildings to prospective businesses, developers, site selectors, and referral agencies. Lead efforts to prepare, grade, improve, and otherwise enhance industrial park properties to increase their marketability and development readiness. Work with local governments, utilities, engineers, contractors, developers, and other partners to advance infrastructure and site development. Evaluate available properties and identify opportunities to expand the inventory of marketable industrial and commercial sites. Oversee Joint I DA-owned properties and ensure compliance with applicable agreements, covenants, restrictions, and development requirements. Marketing and Partnerships Develop and maintain marketing strategies and materials that promote the Joint IDA and the communities it serves. Monitor economic, workforce, demographic, infrastructure, and market conditions to identify opportunities and challenges. Maintain effective relationships with local governments, elected officials, state and regional agencies, utilities, workforce organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders. Work closely with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and other partners on recruitment, expansion, workforce, infrastructure, and development opportunities. Represent the Joint IDA at community, regional, state, and industry events. Board and Organizational Management Serve as chief advisor to the Joint IDA Board and provide timely information, recommendations, reports, and strategic guidance. Prepare and present budgets, financial information, economic development reports, strategic plans, and other materials requested by the Board. Identify and pursue grants, incentives, funding opportunities, and other resources that support the Joint IDA's objectives. Oversee day-to-day operations, supervise assigned staff, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, agreements, and Board directives. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in economic development, public administration, business, or a related field. Three to five years of responsible experience in economic development, business development, local government, community development, or a related field. Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with businesses, government officials, developers, community organizations, and other stakeholders. Strong written, verbal, presentation, organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills. Ability to evaluate complex economic development opportunities and make sound recommendations to the Board. Preferr