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Career

Thank you for your interest in joining the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce's professional team.

The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce (GWCC) is actively seeking a dynamic, results-driven individual to join its award-winning economic development team and serve as the Vice President of Business Development within the Economic Development Department. This position reports to the Executive Vice President (EVP) and works directly with the EVP in developing and executing strategies that meet the GWCC’s goals for high impact job creation, capital investment, and quality business growth for the Greater Waco region.

The VP of Business Development is responsible for identifying and generating new business attraction and relocation opportunities, qualifying prospects, and collaborating with the Economic Development (ED) team to create tailored business proposals that drive new growth opportunities in Greater Waco.

This role involves both international and domestic business development initiatives aimed at strengthening Greater Waco’s status as a premier destination for investment, business expansion, and job creation. The Vice President will build strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, organizations, and collaborate with local, state, and national organizations to attract and retain businesses across targeted industries. Domestic and international travel will be required with this position.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Strategy Implementation:

    • In coordination with EVP, develop and execute a comprehensive business recruitment strategy focused on both domestic and international business growth in targeted industry sectors.
    • Identify emerging sectors, market trends, and potential areas of growth for the Greater Waco region.
    • Align business development efforts with regional economic priorities and the GWCC’s overall mission and goals.
    • Collaborate with EVP to establish individual/team goals related to business development to ensure performance and strategic outcomes.
  • Business Attraction & Expansion:

    • Manage efforts to attract new businesses to the region in targeted and emerging industry sectors that leverage and capitalize upon Greater Waco’s unique advantages.
    • Build upon relationships with local, state, and federal partners to facilitate business expansions and attraction.
    • Create, foster and enhance relationships with site selectors, corporate executives, and development professionals to present Greater Waco as a competitive location and community of choice for domestic and international investment.
    • Collaborate with the EVP and ED team in the development of incentive packages, financing options, and other resources to support business growth and relocation.
    • Collaborate with the ED team to create an efficient process, including inquiry responses, proposal development, site tours, project management, and deal closure.
    • Collaborate and contribute to the planning, execution and tracking of business development activities, including outbound events and inbound “FAM” tours.
  • International Business Development:

    • Build upon existing international business relationships and identify foreign direct investment opportunities that meet the GWCC’s strategic goals for jobs, investment and quality business growth for the region.
    • Build relationships with foreign consulates, trade organizations, and multinational companies to promote Greater Waco as an ideal business destination.
    • Participate in international trade missions, conferences, and networking events to expand Greater Waco’s global footprint.
    • Develop strategies to attract international companies to establish operations or partnerships within the region.
  • Business Retention and Workforce Development:

    • Work closely with the Economic Development Director to gather a deep understanding of the existing local businesses of Greater Waco and identify opportunities for connectivity and collaboration to support business development and retention initiatives.

  • Research & Data Analysis and Reporting:

    • Support business intelligence efforts by researching, collecting, and analyzing data to enhance lead generation, prospecting, and location proposals, as well as conducting comparative location analysis of peer and best-in-class markets, particularly those with similar industry clusters.
    • Provide regular reports, presentations and/or updates on economic development activities to the GWCC’s board, members, and stakeholders.
  • Budgeting & Resource Management:

    • Collaborate with EVP to develop and manage the annual business development budget to align with the department’s and GWCC’s goals and objectives.
    • Secure funding and resources through grants, partnerships, and sponsorships as needed to support economic development initiatives.

Qualifications:

  • Education: A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Public Policy, or a related field is required.
  • Experience: A minimum of 10 years of experience in economic development, business attraction, business development, international trade, and/or a related field with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

Skills & Knowledge:

  • Must be able to work with confidential matters.
  • Proven track record in driving business development and investment attraction in both domestic and international markets.
  • Strong understanding of economic development principles, incentive programs, and workforce development strategies.
  • Experience in leading cross-functional teams and working with various stakeholders, including government, business leaders, and community organizations.
  • Knowledge of international trade regulations, global markets, and foreign direct investment strategies.
  • Exceptional written, communication and presentation skills are essential.
  • Ability to effectively negotiate.
  • Strong analytical abilities and experience with market research and data-driven decision-making.
  • Familiarity with the Greater Waco region’s economic landscape, industries, and growth potential is a plus.

Competencies:

  • Leadership & Vision: Ability to inspire, lead, and influence stakeholders to drive economic growth.
  • Innovative/Strategic Thinking: Skilled in implementing long-term plans and adapting to changing business environments.
  • Relationship Building: Proficient in building and maintaining strategic relationships with key stakeholders across multiple sectors.
  • Results-Oriented: Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed goals and drive tangible economic results.
  • Team-Oriented: Collaborative team player, able to thrive in a fast-paced, competitive environment.

Reports To: Executive Vice President

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume outlining their qualifications and interest in the position to:

Tori Lentz
Economic Development Coordinator
tlentz@wacochamber.com

The Director of Workforce and Talent works in tandem with the Senior Director to lead the Chamber’s workforce + talent initiatives by working with other members of the Chamber’s professional team, strategic partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen and grow the talent pipeline in our region.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Assist with all appropriate workforce and talent providers and other key stakeholders to strengthen and grow the region’s workforce and talent pipeline.
    • Areas of focus include:
      • Review current and/or implement effective TPM (Talent Pipeline Management) tracking program(s)
      • Have experience and be knowledgeable of workforce trends and data-driven best practices
      • Assist as needed in the organizational needs of the small working groups
  • Plan and implement work-based learning opportunities that include:
    • LEAD (Leadership, Education and Development) mentoring program: LEAD is a business to education partnership that connects local high school students with business professionals to foster mentoring relationships that educate and expose students to various business fields and educational opportunities in the Greater Waco area.
      • Student/Mentor paperwork
      • Scheduling tours
      • Website upkeep
      • Kick Off Celebration coordination
      • Senior trip coordination
      • Real World event coordination
      • Scholarship Banquet coordination
      • Engagement with mentors, students, liaisons and parents through newsletters, social media and website
      • Develop and streamline processes related to student/mentor forms, mentor website, student post tour evaluation
    • CTE (Career and Technical Education) Tours and Job Shadowing
      • Work closely with industry partners to schedule tours
      • Communicate tour schedules with schools
      • Plan logistics (room reservations, food, forms)
      • Meet & greet tours, post event recap with students
      • Data entry for tour participants to track outcomes and ROI’s
    • Internships
      • Maintain and grow the work of the Youth Internship Collaboration
      • Continue to connect collaboration partners with industry partners for successful internships
      • Help connect LEAD students with internship opportunities
    • Teacher Externships
      • Grow the externship program by securing more employer involvement, allowing more teachers to participate
  • Strategically support the Chamber’s Vice President of Public Policy and Chamber Foundation to help build financial capacity by assisting with grant writing in support of the Chamber’s workforce and talent initiatives.
    • Drafting grant applications for Senior Director and Chamber Foundation VP to finalize
    • Drafting grant reports for Senior Director and Chamber Foundation VP to finalize
    • Maintain the reporting/payment and application deadlines of all grants
  • With the help of the Senior Director, work closely with the Chamber’s Economic Development team on the organization’s Business, Retention and Expansion (BRE) program by attending meetings and responding to the needs of the businesses and industries.
  • Planning and execution of the Workforce and Talent annual events and programs (for example the Workforce Forum)

A bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience are required.

Reports To: Senior Director of Workforce & Talent

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to:

Rachel Martinez
Senior Director of Workforce & Talent
rmartinez@wacochamber.com

About the Waco Chamber of Commerce

The Waco Chamber of Commerce is the lead economic development organization in Waco/McLennan County, Texas. The Chamber’s work is undertaken in partnership with the regional business community, the City of Waco, McLennan County, the Waco Industrial Foundation, the Waco-McLennan County Economic Development Corporation, our workforce, educational institutions and other organizations dedicated to working in a collaborative manner to make the Greater Waco region the perfect place for business, industry and people to grow and prosper. The Chamber is a not for profit, membership‐driven organization comprised of nearly 1,500 businesses.

Greater Waco, located in McLennan County, Texas, along the Interstate 35 corridor is home to more than 14,000 companies, 272,000 people and a regional workforce of approximately 330,000. Greater Waco’s centralized location, with access to Dallas and Austin (90 miles) and Houston and San Antonio (185 miles), makes it a regional center of economic activity and an ideal community for businesses and individuals.

Since 2006, Greater Waco has seen more than $5 billion in new industrial capital investments and over $1 billion in riverfront and downtown development, making it an attractive place to live, work and play. Greater Waco is landscaped with top-rated higher educational institutions, including Baylor University, McLennan Community College, Texas State Technical College – Waco, Tarleton State University – Waco and Texas Tech University at Waco, representing more than 40,000 students.

The Greater Waco Chamber leads economic development efforts for the area focusing on talent development and targeting six key industries for growth: Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace and Defense, Health Care, Innovation, Professional and Financial Services and Supply Chain Management.