The Executive Director of the CIPP will play a crucial role in advancing quality of life and economic resilience across Northeast Indiana. This shared executive position is tasked with building, coordinating and executing a regional framework that aligns efforts across economic, civic, educational, housing and infrastructure development sectors. By driving the mission of regional alignment and sustainable growth, the Executive Director will serve as a primary liaison, ensuring robust collaboration among industrial clusters, educational institutions, civic and philanthropic organizations, local development agencies, and government entities.
The individual draws upon extensive experience in government affairs, community development, stakeholder engagement and strategic leadership. Key skills include data-driven decision-making, grant and funding coordination, and effective communication, as well as familiarity with regional economic development and policy.
This individual is an ambassador for NEI and the region, actively building proactive and positive relationships with a diversity of stakeholders and partner organizations.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Collaboration
Seek opportunities to develop and support the implementation of collaborative strategies to address the region's long-term growth.
Forge and maintain strong relationships with local government agencies, educational institutions, community organizations, philanthropic entities, and industry leaders to strengthen the collective regional strategy.
Coordinate and facilitate regular communication among key stakeholder groups, including the Mayors and Commissioners Caucus, Strategic Development Commission, Community Foundations, NEI, and other regional partners to ensure cohesive action on shared objectives.
Program Administration
Organize and lead community workshops across Northeast Indiana's counties to assess local needs and foster leadership, connecting stakeholders from various sectors.
Direct and conduct primary data collection from workshops, surveys and regional assessments. Use analytics to anticipate economic needs and inform policy formation.
Coordinate with the Mayors and Commissioners Caucus and other stakeholders to identify and support policy initiatives of regional significance.
Publish quarterly progress reports for stakeholders, highlighting key achievements, areas for improvement and actionable insights that drive the region's economic and civic objectives.
Resource Development
Oversee an annual budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support program objectives, including community workshops, data analysis and strategic initiatives.
Identify and support efforts to allign and secure funding for projects with broad regional impact.
Assist local governments and regional partners (including planning organizations and local economic development organizations) in securing federal, state and private funding for infrastructure, workforce readiness and other key priorities.
Public Relations & Communication
Serve as the spokesperson for CIPP, representing the program at events, public meetings and forums. Foster positive public perception of CIPP's initiatives and achievements.
Work with CIPP partners to develop joint public relations efforts that promote partnership milestones and raise visibility for regional achievements.
Develop and maintain a shared progress dashboard that provides stakeholders with real-time insights into the advancement of strategic initiatives.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Business Administration, Economics, Regional Planning, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
Minimum of 10 years of experience in regional economic development, policy advocacy, community development, or related fields.
Proven track record in leading cross-sector collaborations and building partnerships across diverse organizations and government entities.
Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, grant funding coordination, and stakeholder engagement.
Strong understanding of regional economic development principles and practices, with familiarity with Northeast Indiana's economic landscape preferred.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills; ability to represent the program effectively with public, private, and civic audiences.
Analytical mindset with expertise in data analysis, reporting, and predictive analytics.
Proficiency in CRM systems and data management tools for stakeholder and project management.
Application
To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to Vanessa Hurtig, Vice President of Administration, at vanessa@neindiana.com. Both a cover letter and resume are required for an application to be considered.