Greater Dunn County Director of Economic Development

University of Wisconsin Stout, United States

Updated: 2 days ago
Location: Menomonie, WISCONSIN

JOB DETAILS:

Seeking a team member with the Office of Corporate Relations and Economic Engagement (OCREE) to serve as Greater Dunn County Director of Economic Development serving Dunn County Economic Development EDC, Greater Menomonie EDC, and the Stout Technology Business Park. The person in this position will represent Dunn County and its municipalities, including the City of Menomonie and the Stout Technology Park and provide support and leadership of economic development services that align with the focus areas as identified during the 2023 Dunn County Economic Development Summit to include, but not limited to: 1) Business Retention and Expansion, 2) Entrepreneurship, and 3) Workforce Housing.

In cooperation with an Oversight Committee consisting of: Dunn County Economic Development Corporation ("DCEDC"), Greater Menomonie Development Corporation ("GMDC"), the Stout Technology and Business Park, City of Menomonie and the County of Dunn, this position will:

  • Be the primary representative for economic development throughout Dunn County. 
  • Develop and implement an annual work plan constructed around the focus areas of business retention and expansion, entrepreneurship, and workforce housing in partnership with the Oversight Committee and UW-Stout Executive Director of Corporate Relations and Economic Development. 
  • Promote the economic growth and stability of Dunn County and its communities. 
  • Educate and inform various groups and organizations on the topic of economic development.  
  • Help coordinate and participate in economic development workshops and conferences.  
  • Maintain effective relationships with current and potential public and private sources of funding.  
  • Maintain contact with EDC stakeholders and officials from federal, state, and local agencies, for-profit and non-profit organizations that operate within the economic development space, and the various utility providers that operate throughout Dunn County to cement mutually advantageous relationships. 
  • Act as the convenor for Dunn County and its municipalities when responding to Request for Information (RFI's) in partnership with regional and state economic development partners.  

    • Position salary is fully funded at $80,000 with University of Wisconsin comprehensive benefits package, see below.  

    QUALIFICATIONS

    Minimum

    • 4-year degree in Economic Development, Community Development, Planning, or related field. 
    • 5+ years of experience working in economic development, community development, and/or another related field. 
    • Strong public speaking and presentation skills. 
    • Ability to coordinate, write, and submit Request for Information to encourage development.
    • Experience in running a Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program

    Highly Desired

    • Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), Economic Development Financer Professional (EDFP) or similar certification. 
    • Experience in running and/or managing a regional economic development organization. 
    • Experience in managing and raising funds, including grant writing and management to support economic development activities. 
    • Project Management Experience highlighting managing multiple high profile, complex projects. 

    RESPONSIBILITIES

    The position, in cooperation with the Oversight Committee and the Executive Director of OCREE will:

    1. Create and facilitate the Annual Workplan and budget 

    • Coordinate BRE activities across Dunn County on behalf of the founding economic development partner organizations.
    • Participate in the Dunn County housing work group as appropriate. 
    • Collaborate with economic development partners to facilitate entrepreneurship and small business development support throughout Dunn County. 
    • Foster employment growth and industrial investment by working with municipalities, economic development organizations and utility providers to facilitate the location and expansion, and/or relocation of both in state and out-of-state businesses and industry. 
    • Assist in the marketing of available sites and buildings throughout Dunn County including the Stout Technology Park.

    2. Provide outreach and representation

    • Attend the GMDC and DCEDC board meetings monthly to provide updates on work progress.
    • Attend Stout Tech Park meetings to provide updates on work progress.
    • Engage regularly with all Dunn County municipalities, to include annual presentations at municipal meeting (town, village, city, county boards). 
    • Attend meetings with other regional and state agencies, as appropriate, to discuss topics/issues affecting economic development, to include, but not limited to: 
      • Momentum West 
      • Greater Menomonie Chamber of Commerce and Tourism 
      • Regional Planning Commission 
      • Regional Business Fund  
      • Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation  
      • Downtown Menomonie 
      • Workforce Investment Board 
    • Act as the contact for all companies within the Stout Tech Park through direct engagement.

    3. Perform general office duties

    • Create and maintain a BRE database to track meetings and response to information gathered. 
    • Assist the GMDC, DCEDC, and Stout Tech Park with their annual filings to state and federal agencies. 
    • Assist the Oversight Committee with strategic planning and development of policy. 
    • Respond to email, voicemail, etc. on behalf of the region.

    4. Manage funding/fundraising activities  

    • Coordinate annual funding requests to the public financial supporters (Dunn County and City of Menomonie) and other key stakeholders, including private-sector businesses, educational institutions, utilities, and others. At a minimum, the position will need to raise sufficient funds to support the minimal operating expenses of the Founding Partner Organizations (approximately twenty thousand annually). 
    • Develop and coordinate fundraising campaign for specific items as needed to support the work in the Annual Work Plan.  
    • Maintain and grow membership across all the founding partner organizations.  
    • Maintain a database of customer engagements/contacts.  
    • Work with founding partner organizations to develop one membership funding model.

    5. Coordinate events on behalf of the participating organizations

    • Facilitate the annual Dunn County Economic Summit to include local, regional, and state economic development entities. 
    • Support the annual meetings of the founding economic development partners as appropriate.  
    • Perform other duties as assigned related to supporting economic development activities throughout Dunn County.

    OFFICE OF CORPORATE RELATIONS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION

    The Office of Corporate Relations & Economic Engagement (OCREE) is the University of Wisconsin-Stout's primary outreach and engagement organization. As Wisconsin's Polytechnic University, UW-Stout is dedicated to collaborating with industry, businesses, and other external partners.

    The OCREE applies the full depth and breadth of UW-Stout's resources to assist our external partners through upholding the polytechnic tradition of blending theory with practice to generate real-world solutions for our partners.  Our team is comprised of a vibrant group of skilled problem solvers, gifted learners, and action-oriented colleagues working together to help our external partners overcome hurdles in areas such as process improvement, product development, business growth, continuing education, culture development, and much more.

    The following Centers and activities fall within the office of Corporate Relations and Economic Engagement

    • Partner Led Class Projects 
    • Center for Innovation and Development 
    • Center for Limnological Research & Rehabilitation 
    • Center for CTE Excellence 
    • Fab Lab 
    • Manufacturing Outreach Center 
    • Technology Park
    • General corporate relations on behalf of UW-Stout

    INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW

    University of Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin's only Polytechnic University, offers an unmatched career-focused education that combines applied learning, theory and research with real-world experience that prepares tomorrow's leaders to drive the future of business and industry. At UW-Stout, our students think and do from day one, and we are proud to produce lifelong learners, ethical leaders and responsible citizens who succeed in a global society.
    UW-Stout is recognized nationwide for its operational excellence. We were the first and remain the only full four-year public higher education institution in the nation to receive the Malcolm Baldrige Award, and we are dedicated to a process-improvement model that leverages the power of data and the value of our people. We believe in critical thinking and fact-informed decision making. We pursue sustainability in form and function and collaborate across campus and with our partners to solve problems in industry and society. And providing an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment for our faculty, staff and students to live, learn and work is a top priority.

    We offer 45+ undergraduate degrees, 20+ graduate degrees and 30+ professional certificates in Art, Design & Graphics; Business & Management; Education; Human & Social Sciences; Information Technology & Communications; and Science, Engineering & Math. Our first-class digital infrastructure and learning environments provide our nearly 7,000 students with every avenue to explore and personalize their success. And we invest in people who share our vision to advance our position as Wisconsin's only Polytechnic University and as a regional, national and international leader in higher education.  

    Be a part of the future at UW-Stout. Learn more at https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us  

    University of Wisconsin-Stout is located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, a community an hour east of Minneapolis-St. Paul. A pillar of Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley and recognized as one of the best small towns in America, Menomonie provides an idyllic combination of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, boutiques and arts and culture with access to a metropolitan area. For more information about the UW-Stout community and region visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/our-community  

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    The University of Wisconsin System provides an excellent benefits package, including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan.  

    All qualified candidates meeting application requirements will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against. As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, UW-Stout welcomes applications from individuals from diverse groups; veterans, individuals with disabilities and from historically excluded populations. UW-Stout provides equal opportunity to all persons and is committed to inclusive excellence. At UW-Stout we value our differences and welcome diverse perspectives as we continually commit to developing an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees and students.

    Employment is contingent upon the final candidate's completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources team. Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing a reference check process. The reference check process includes asking the final candidate and most recent supervisor questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. Final candidates with previous employment within the UW System and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks.
    Official transcripts required at time of hire.

    Must be authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not available for this position. A successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact our Human Resources office, Phone: 715.232.2149.

    In response to a public records request, the University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7) .

    UW-Stout is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/life-stout/police-and-parking/clery-information  

    APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

    Complete applications received by end of day, April 10, 2024 are ensured full consideration.  Applications submitted after April 10, 2024 may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee.

    To apply, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs

    Required application materials :

  • Cover letter* 
  • Curriculum vitae or resume 
  • Names and contact information for a minimum of three (3) professional references  
  • An example of a response to a request for information related to a site search for available land

    • *Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.

    Applicants will need to complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application. Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application you will not be able to go into the system and change them.

    Before starting the online application process, we recommend you preview the frequently asked questions (FAQs) available at: https://kb.uwss.wisconsin.edu/21900  

    It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.

    For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:
    Search Chair: Seth Hudson
    Phone: 715-232-5024
    Email: [email protected]  

    If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all the required application materials, please contact:
    Search Coordinator: Mary Jo
    Email: [email protected]

    Job Family: Staff