Regional Initiatives Coordinator - Harrisburg, United States - Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC

Description

JOB POSTING

Regional Initiatives Coordinator

We're a catalyst for dynamic job creation, policy change and economic growth that enhances the quality of life in our region: Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties. Together with our members, we've accomplished some amazing things over the last 138 years.

The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC provides a unique blend of business, community/economic development, and advocacy services under one roof to boost economic vitality and livability across the region. We are 5-star accredited by the United States Chamber of Commerce, a distinction achieved by less than five percent of chambers across the nation. We define ourselves with BOLD LEADERSHIP guiding the regional business community. Our VISIONARY MEMBERS are cheerleaders for the region and provide a collective voice influencing business friendly policies. Our consistent POWERFUL RESULTS shape the communities we call home.

Our Values

· Inclusive – We seek to create an organization and community where everyone feels that they belong.

· Data Driven – We root our evaluation and activities in data.

· Collaborative – We convene and connect leaders in our business and community to move us forward.

· Positive – We are unapologetically, relentlessly positive storytellers about our work and region.

CREDC

The Capital Region Economic Development Corporation, abbreviated CREDC, is the economic development arm of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, which operates as one organization. As a Certified Economic Development Organization with the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, and an Industrial Development Corporation, CREDC is a direct access point to and facilitator of public funds through programs such as PIDA, RACP, ISRP, KIZ, KOZ and EZ to name only a few. These public funds are used, when appropriate, to amplify the impact of private investments made in our region for the betterment of our community. Within our Values and our Mission, CREDC also undertakes various regional initiatives to support a collaborative approach to economic health for our communities.

Your Role

This is a rewarding role which takes pride in elevating the level of individual prosperity of our region's citizens by developing and implementing business initiatives in line with Commonwealth programs and other studies as needed to address the needs of our region's economy. The person filling this role should enjoy taking broad concepts to executable steps for implementation using a mix of detail-oriented tracking and performance measures as well as personable communication and relationship building techniques.

A detailed job description displayed below is a summary of responsibilities. This role will focus primarily on the organization's regional initiatives as well as some special projects all focused on making measurable progress toward the region's 4 main economic stability objectives as described in South Central PA's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for 9 counties.

A large portion of this position will be dedicated to support the Chamber & CREDC's Impact Harrisburg Initiative. Derived from a study commissioned by Impact Harrisburg and Dauphin County, this special project aims assist in reducing the documented disparity between available diverse owned businesses in our region and government contracts with diverse owned businesses. Promoting equitable opportunities for prosperity to historically disadvantaged populations supports the stability and resiliency of our regional economy.

This role requires individual accountability for developing and executing activities which support our region's stability objectives and other needs.

Job Summary

This entry to mid-level position reports to the Vice President of Economic Development and is responsible for a variety of daily activities supporting the administration of Commonwealth and federal programs to support regional economic stability, and other initiatives as needed to benefit the economic wellbeing of the region. Examples of such programs include but are not limited to PA Partnerships for Regional Performance and PA Engage, a regional business retention and expansion calling program.

In addition, this role will work with the Vice President in programs of work at the intersection of workforce and economic development. One initiative which will be a strong focus for this role is the Chamber & CREDC's Impact Harrisburg Initiative which will focus efforts on reducing the documented disparity between the number of available diverse owned businesses and those awarded government contracts. This program of work will coordinate activities which will support both 1) pipeline and capacity growth of diverse owned businesses and 2) procurement connections for diverse owned businesses. Promoting equitable opportunities for prosperity to historically disadvantaged populations supports the stability and resiliency of our regional economy.

Principal Responsibilities

· Build out a program of work including action steps to support the Chamber & CREDC's Impact Harrisburg Initiative.

· Develop a timeline for implementing the action steps supporting the Impact Harrisburg Initiative.

· Implement said action steps using talents such as network and relationship building, effective professional communication, convening and mentoring skills, and metric tracking of performance measures.

· Maintain all administrative responsibilities of the PA Partnership for Regional Economic Performance program supporting the 8-county South Central PA Region including scheduling, grant writing, planning, reporting, contracting, and budgeting.

· Maintain all administrative responsibilities of the PA Engage Program supporting the 8-county South Central PA Region which includes scheduling, grant writing, planning, reporting, contracting, and budgeting.

· Assist the Vice President in various administrative responsibilities for the 9-county EDA approved Comprehensive Development Strategy including scheduling, reporting, and communications.

· Assist the Vice President in various administrative responsibilities for the Chamber & CREDC's contracted work with the South-Central PA Works (Workforce Development Board) to help increase awareness and performance at the intersection of workforce and economic development including scheduling, reporting, and communications.

· Refer clients to proper channels of assistance if CREDC cannot provide a needed service or support.

· Meet with businesses, county and municipal leaders, and other organizations within Cumberland Dauphin and Perry counties to assist in regional economic development efforts.

· All other duties as assigned.

Skills Needed

· Strategic Thinking – ability to see the bigger picture and envision a positive future

· Execution Skills – ability to plan and take actions to advance the organization and the region towards the future desired

· Communications – good at building strong relationships and leveraging them to both educate and make connections between our clients and other sources of assistance

· Superior Writing – concise yet motivational writing in the most professional fashion

· Organizational – needs multi‐tasking and multi‐project tracking talents – DETAIL oriented

· Business – some basic knowledge of business operations, preferably entrepreneurial acumen

· Independent Learning – ability and motivation to be a self-directed learner from provided and outside resources

· Computer – proficient with MS Windows suite of products

· Other – good team player, personable and customer focused, professional demeanor, eagerly addresses daily tasks, ability to plan work over months to meet deadlines and keep projects moving

Other Items of Reference

Working knowledge of state and federal economic development programs will be developed in this position. These programs include, but are not limited to:

· PA Partnership for Region Economic Performance (PREP) program

· PA Engage Program

· South Central PA Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

· Impact Harrisburg Study

Education Needed

Preferred - Bachelor's Degree with course work in Public Administration, Economics, Management, or similar is preferred.

Strongly considered – An associate degree, certificate, or other training in the areas of study listed above, or equivalent work experience in those fields which have provided the professionalism and skills necessary to successfully perform in this position.

Experience Needed

This can be an entry level position for the right person. No career experience in economic development is required, though could prove helpful and competitive. Prior internships or work-study experiences in economic development, public administration or a business environment is a plus.

We Offer

· The opportunity to work each day to improve your community

· A commitment to your professional development and growth

· Health, available dental and vision benefits; life insurance; and more

· Employer contribution to 401(k)

· Generous time off (vacation, sick time, personal days and holidays)

· Shortened summer office hours

· A flexible hybrid work schedule

· A year-round program of fun activities for staff to enjoy

Salary

This position's salary range is $55,000 - $60,000 and shall be commensurate with skills, qualifications, education, and experience.

Ready to join us?

Application

To apply, send the following to with the subject line "Regional Initiatives Coordinator".

· Cover letter

· Resume

· Salary/compensation requirements

Incomplete applications will not be considered.