Chief Executive Officer

Job Title and Level: Chief Executive Officer

City/County: Lansing, Michigan

Type of Employment: Full-Time

Pay Grade and Annual Salary: A competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and based on executive committee approval will be offered to attract the most qualified candidates.

Brief Job Description:

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is a public-private partnership agency and economic development corporation dedicated to growing jobs, building resilient communities, pursuing projects that provide economic opportunity for all Michiganders, and promoting Michigan. MEDC, in collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies, and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state.

A unique organization, MEDC was formed as an autonomous entity through the Interlocal agreement with the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), a state agency housed within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). Through this agreement, MSF transfers the majority of its appropriated State funds to MEDC, which has the authority to employ nonstate employees, and MEDC administers the MSF economic development programs pursuant to a memorandum of understanding with the MSF. The MEDC also has independent, non-appropriated revenue pursuant to Indian casino gaming compacts. The MSF is overseen by an eleven-member Board of which eight members are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The MEDC is overseen by an Executive Committee made up of 20 members appointed by the Governor according to the requirements of the inter-local agreement.

MEDC's strategic focus aims to position Michigan at the leading edge of economic development in the nation. MEDC is evolving its mission, vision, guiding principles, and Strategic Focus Areas, as well as its focus and regional impact industries to create long-term economic opportunities in all corners of Michigan, positioning MEDC at the forefront of best practices for high-impact economic development organizations.

Today, MEDC has 274 employees and an annual budget of roughly $139 million: $100 million for business attraction, $15.6 million to support the entrepreneurship ecosystem, $15 million for Pure Michigan, and $8.3 million for arts and cultural grants.

Michigan businesses were hard hit by the health crisis, and MEDC has gone into overdrive to help them survive. The group launched 19 programs since then including Michigan Small Business Restart Program where more than 14,000 small businesses affected by the crisis have received grants of up to $20,000 to help with expenses like payroll, rent and utilities. Of those, 4,617 grants went to minority-owned businesses, 6,314 were woman-owned and 743 veteran-owned. Overall, the relief totals nearly $96 million from money through the CARES Act.

The incoming CEO will join at a critical time in history and will play a pivotal role in navigating the organization through an unprecedented global pandemic, helping to sustain and rebuild the state’s economy in the wake of COVID-19. Developing strong relationships with government, local economic development leaders, and key businesses, this person will garner stakeholder support to help build even stronger business environments across the entire state to competitively position Michigan in the face of a rapidly changing environment.

In partnership with the Governor and with support from the legislature, this equity-minded executive will foster innovation and execute a successful and inclusive economic development strategy for the state of Michigan. Moving forward, this next leader will have the exciting opportunity to build upon MEDC’s great legacy, work at the forefront of economic development, and promote long-term prosperity for the state of Michigan, its businesses, and its people.

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

MISSION: to achieve long-term economic prosperity for Michiganders by investing in communities, enabling the growth of good jobs and promoting Michigan’s strong image worldwide.

VISION: Make Michigan’s economy the nation’s fastest growing, most equitable and most resilient by attaining the largest net gain of talent in the Midwest and achieving ‘Top 10’ status for: job growth in targeted sectors, equitable job growth, and real median household income growth.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• Sustainable, long term growth: Catalyze long-term job growth. Ensure resilience of Michigan’s economy against downturns and automation potential.
• Regional impact: Empower and support every region – from rural areas to urban cores – in improving economic outcomes.
• Equitable, high-wage growth: Drive equitable pathways toward high-wage growth by enabling industries, communities and businesses that provide opportunities for all.
• Customer focus: Ensure a customer (businesses, communities, entrepreneurs) and partner orientation in all we do.

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS

• Focus Industries: MEDC resources including tailored economic development tools, proactive marketing and sustainment programs focus on those sectors where Michigan has a distinct competitive advantage.
• Attract, retain, and support businesses: Aggressively work to attract and retain companies in target industries that support growth in jobs, wages, and investment.
• Foster high-wage skills growth: Collaborate on efforts to produce, attract, and retain the skills needed for in-demand and high growth occupations in focus industries
• Develop attractive places: Attract talent through innovative placemaking and streamlining development processes at the community level to transform underutilized properties into vibrant areas
• Catalyze entrepreneurship: Strengthen the ecosystem that enables more entrepreneurship, commercialization, and new business creation
• Market the state: Promote Michigan’s image as a world-class business location and travel destination

See appendix for additional background information.

POSITION SUMMARY

The CEO is responsible for providing the strategic, financial, and executive leadership of the MEDC, a public body corporate, and is accountable for leading the State of Michigan’s economic development efforts, including business, community, and economic policy development.

Under the direction of the MEDC Executive Committee, the CEO will exercise a high degree of independence, initiative, ethics, and professional expertise in the active efforts to attract, expand, enhance and retain business and commerce in Michigan, preserve and effectuate community vitality, and market the State’s business, community, and travel/tourism assets at the local, national, and international level.

With oversight of MEDC’s nearly 275 staff and $140M budget, the CEO will provide organizational and operational leadership, manage board relations, head MEDC’s external relations and strategic partnerships, and shape the organization’s marketing and branding.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Principle Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Oversees MEDC organizational strategy through the dedicated execution of the MEDC strategic focus and ensures adherence to MEDC’s guiding principles.
• Actively work with MEDC partners to attract, grow, and retain strategic industries that will have the greatest potential economic benefit on all communities throughout Michigan.
• Consistently assesses data-driven metrics and best practices to make Michigan’s economy the nation’s fastest growing, most inclusive and most resilient.
• Oversees and directs the execution of budget strategies that encourage fiscal accountability.
• Represents the MEDC with the public including developers, members of the business community, community and citizens' groups to explain and promote the MEDC's services, programs, policies, procedures, goals, and objectives related to economic development; represents the MEDC at various business meetings, boards, committee hearings, events and presentations.
• Serves as the primary contact with the MEDC Executive Committee, Governor, the Michigan Legislature, State Agency Directors, local partners, economic development professionals, and any others to effect changes in local/state policies to encourage commercial expansion, retention, enhancement, and new development.
• Cultivates and maintains professional relationships and is active in local, regional, state, and national economic development networks and associations.
• Advises the MEDC Executive Committee of economic development issues that affect the State of Michigan’s economic performance and jobs.
• Mentors and inspires with employees at all levels to foster growth and encourage development among senior executive team and all members of staff.
• Participates in industry-related events or associations that will enhance the CEO's leadership skills, the organization's reputation, and the organization's potential for success.
• Serves as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet and the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Board; may serve as President and Chair of MSF, by appointment.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Office of the Governor and/or MEDC Executive Committee.

Frequent travel, with occasional overnight stays, is required. The position is FLSA exempt.

APPENDIX: ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Business Unit: MEDC Executive Office

Supervisor: This position reports to the MEDC Executive Committee.

Minimum Education Required:

This position requires a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in Business, Economics, Organizational Management, Public Administration, Finance, or related field. Advanced degree (J.D., MBA, CPA, or professional certification) preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Minimum Experience Required:

As the top economic developer in the state, the successful candidate will be an effective spokesperson, adept at navigating highly political environments, and will serve as a trusted advisor to the Governor. This person will bring significant executive level management over key operational divisions and with strong supervisory responsibilities.

Additional qualifications will include:  

• Genuine passion for the mission, a strong equity lens, and a deep commitment to help positively influence the future economic vitality of the state of Michigan.
• Proven management, business, and financial acumen within an organization of similar or larger scale and complexity, ideally a public-private enterprise.
• Outstanding coalition building skills, key to forging and sustaining critical relationships with the Governor’s office, state legislature, local economic development organizations, business leaders, community partners, and educational institutions. Strong multi-stakeholder engagement skills.
• Deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Stellar interpersonal and communications skills with significant experience serving as a spokesperson for their organization and ability to inform, persuade, and inspire target audiences. Demonstrated sophistication and political savvy in working with a diverse set of interests while remaining nonpolitical.
• A track record for creating dynamic, evolving organizations, as well as effectively empowering and developing staff including recruiting and retaining top caliber professional talent.
• Ability to thoroughly understand the local and regional political landscape and serve as an effective advocate, community liaison, and negotiator.
• Demonstrated ability and agility to think creatively and strategically regarding future business trends and their long-term effects on the local economy.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience implementing modern and innovative economic and community development practices.
• Commanding presence and ability to handle sensitive inquiries or complaints and maintain a calm demeanor in high stress environments, thick skin.
• Keen listening and negotiation skills; ability to lead and facilitate complex and sometimes even controversial discussions with top management, legislative/governmental groups, public bodies, and/or boards of directors, and bring groups to actionable outcomes.
• Spirit of a change agent, eagerness to tackle challenging and complex problems with innovative solutions, and experience working in highly political or volatile environments.
• Unquestionable integrity, credibility, and character.
• High-energy, inspirational, inclusive, and humble.

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit a current resume and cover letter for consideration at https://kfopportunities.loop.jobs/job/Korn-Ferry-Executive-Search-Lansing-MI/131699790.

You may also send application materials to MEDC@KornFerry.com as well to confirm receipt.

Deadline for Response: Jan 31, 2021