The Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (SVRA) is based at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville, VA. working with the city of Danville and Halifax, Patrick, and Pittsylvania counties. The SVRA promotes the region through collaborative marketing and public relations efforts to create a strong economy that benefits the citizens of the Southern Virginia Region. This position will report to the IALR Vice President, Economic Development /SVRA Executive Director.

Job Summary:

The SVRA Business Investment Manager is responsible for marketing the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research and Southern Virginia Region for business recruitment and existing business expansion. This position is responsible for business development efforts in the region. It performs various economic development activities relating to industrial business attraction, retention, and financing of industrial projects, coordinating between site consultants, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), and company leaders in conjunction with localities for industrial projects.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assists in executing the IALR and SVRA strategic and operations plan by working to attract new businesses for job creation and capital investment
  • Implements strategies to provide qualified leads to attract or retain business and jobs in the region; responds to project leads from consultants, VEDP, localities, and other referrals, conducting initial due diligence and building relationships with prospects to understand their needs and identifying regional solutions
  • Represents SVRA as the point of contact for companies considering new locations in the region; interacts with high-level business executives considering new or expanded business activity or re-location of operations into the Southern Virginia region
  • Utilizes existing industry to seek out needed service providers, suppliers, or vertical integration potential and identify expansion, merger, or acquisition opportunities
  • Attends trade shows, call trips, conferences, and networking events to generate leads by developing strategic relationships with community, state, and consultant partners
  • Works to recruit metalworking and advanced manufacturing companies consistent with the target industries and sectors compatible with southern Virginia’s manufacturing base
• Manages project leads
  • Maintains regular proactive contacts with prospect leaders to seek opportunities
  • Monitors and reports on project activity - develops briefings of client meetings and calls and maintains prospect records
  • Collects and analyzes data for prospects inclusive of demographics, industry sectors, preferences, needs, and suppliers to identify options for location and other relevant factors inclusive of local and state incentive programs, pro-business climate, community partnerships, and workforce
  • Matches needs to available sites and buildings and disseminates leads to SVRA local economic developers as appropriate
  • Organizes prospect visits to the region, locality, and sites
• Gathers and benchmarks regional and local economic development materials, and industry data on competitors and suppliers and analyzes their assets, products, locations, and distribution channels
  • Studies and identifies sectoral opportunities for economic development
  • Monitors industry statistics and follows trends in trade literature
• Participates in and assists with and manages meetings and events
  • Attends networking events and conferences; provides management with information/proposals concerning the promotion, distribution, and design of regional assets inclusive of workforce, industry, quality of life, and site/building information inclusive of infrastructure
  • Plans and implements meetings and events
  • Prepares regional and prospect presentations independently and cooperatively with local and regional input
• Completes projects as assigned and performs other duties, as required, relative to this position and salary grade

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficient with Microsoft Office products
• Must have effective time management skills with the ability to triage work load and remain flexible to meet demanding priorities

• Ability to communicate on diverse levels and maintain confidentiality are required and essential to the performance of assigned duties, ensuring that confidential information is protected; works with partner organizations to support their protocols for confidentiality
• Technology skills and experience in the use of software applications such as Microsoft Office, content management databases like Sales Force preferred
• Must have excellent communication skills, verbal and written, to include the ability to effectively speak in public
• Must be able to work in a stressful and time-sensitive environment with frequent interruptions and deadlines
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to travel throughout Virginia as well as occasional out-of-state trips

Education and Experience:

• Minimum (3) three years of experience in economic development, financing, redevelopment, commercial real estate, local planning, public relations/marketing or a related field is required
• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Statistics, Finance, Accounting, Business, Marketing, Urban Planning, Economic Development, International Affairs, Economics; or comparable experience is required
• Knowledge of economic development strategies, business financing, business taxation, land use policy and commercial/industrial real estate development, federal, state and local programs applicable to industry and job development inclusive of sites, buildings, planning, utility and permitting
• Credentials in Economic Development (e.g. American Institute of Certified Planners, Certified Economic Developer and Certified Industrial Development) preferred
  
  Physical Requirements:
• Position requires travel and may require travel with overnight stays
• Light physical work may be required (i.e. setting up and tearing down displays and arranging meeting rooms)

Hours: IALR hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Work hours outside of normal IALR operating hours are required based on business needs.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties and skills. This job description does not restrict management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.