Job Number: IRC196490

About Us: Henrico County is a vibrant suburban county with a population of 353,770 residents and a land area of 245 square miles the Richmond metropolitan area. Henrico is home to Richmond International Airport, 25,000 businesses and more than 200,000 jobs. Henrico is the sixth most populous locality in Virginia and has the state’s fourth largest economy. Both domestically and internally, the Henrico EDA targets:
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Corporate Services
• Finance & Insurance
• IT and Tech
• Health & Life Sciences
• Professional Services

We are the primary contact for development in Henrico. FY25 building permit values exceeded $2.7 billion and further diversified our economy. With the lowest real estate tax rate (83 cents) of Virginia’s 10 largest localities, the No.1 for retail sales per capita in the state, award-winning parks, neighborhoods and amenities, Henrico is a top destination to live, work and play. Discover more about Henrico at Henrico.com, Facebook/HenricoNOW, LinkedIn/ Henrico Economic Development Authority and Henrico.gov. General Statement of Duties: This position will remain open to filled. Screening of application will begin on September 29, 2025. Application received by 11:59 PM on that date will be assured full consideration. Applications after the screening date may be reviewed at the discretion of the hiring team. This position plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the entire operation of the Henrico EDA; provides effective leadership and management of the organization, and is accountable for sound operations and financial engagement.
Essential Duties: Are you ambitious and energetic enough to lead an organization as driven as the Henrico EDA? Do you have the self-starting, collaborative, results-driven work ethic that is needed to take our county -- and our team -- to the next level? We need a candidate with the mental agility to analyze data and synthesize complex concepts. We require an individual who is as passionate as we are about promoting our county's many assets to make Henrico the location of choice for business. We are looking for a strategic thinker with a vision for a stronger, more robust Henrico.
Responsibilities of the position include:
• Identify and engage potential prospects for job creation and capital investment in Henrico
• Oversee progression of economic development projects and engage in deal negotiations
• Develop and maintain relationships with existing Henrico businesses
• Identify opportunities for local partnerships, company, expansion, and business retention needs
• Utilize outreach opportunities to provide a forum for the EDA's message and seek input from local companies on business needs
• Build a strong working relationship with the Henrico County Board of Supervisors, County Manager and staff, the EDA Board, Greater Richmond Partnership, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, and regional and state stakeholders and partners for an effective delivery of services
• Recruit, develop and retain a talented and high-performing group of economic development professionals
• Manage the day-to-day operations of EDA staff while interacting closely with the EDA Board of Director
• Initiate, plan, implement and review a domestic and international marketing program that is cluster-based and targeted to specific/selected industries to foster the EDA's message around the globe
• Oversee the management of the EDA's annual $3.1 million budget and monitor the expenditures of the funds in accordance with the adopted budget
• Execute the EDA’s 2030 Strategic Plan
• Partner with the County on strategic acquisitions, redevelopment, affordable housing financing, and other measures to contribute to the quality of life in Henrico
• Fiscal/administrative responsibilities of the EDA as an independent unit of government including audit, cash management, and personnel administration
The professional skills required for this position include:
• Hands-on experience developing new business prospects and managing projects to successful completion
• Experience developing and maintaining sound working relationships with state and local appointed/elected officials and business and community leaders
• Strong financial management and budgeting experience
• Willingness to travel, including internationally
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
• Experience implementing successful marketing initiatives
• Demonstrated track record of executing business deals, real estate transactions, project financing and public incentive negotiations that have resulted in successful developments
• Significant experience with industrial and commercial projects, including site selection, financing and land acquisition, building development and infrastructure completion

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (Master's degree preferred) and a minimum of ten (10) years of highly visible senior leadership in the economic development arena or equivalent, including at the local level; OR any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Professional economic development certification (CEcD or other) highly considered.
A criminal history record check and fingerprinting is conducted on all persons conditionally offered employment, including a conditional offer of initial employment, or a conditional offer to promote, demote, or laterally transfer an employee.