Vice President of Economic Development

Role Summary

The Vice President of Economic Development leads and executes the Chamber’s economic development strategy while securing and stewarding public and private funding to drive regional growth. This role oversees business attraction, retention and expansion, entrepreneurship, workforce initiatives, grant funding, and government affairs for the Greater Wyoming Valley and Greater Wilkes-Barre region. The Vice President delivers measurable economic impact by aligning strategy, funding, data, and partnerships to advance a competitive and resilient regional economy. This position reports directly to the President & CEO.

Economic Development Strategy & Business Growth

• Develop and execute short-, mid-, and long-term economic development strategies aligned with the Chamber’s strategic plan and regional priorities.
• Identify, secure, and manage local, state, and federal funding opportunities.
• Establish and track goals, KPIs, and outcomes related to job creation, investment, and business growth.
• Serve as the primary Chamber liaison for business attraction, retention, and expansion, coordinating research, site visits, stakeholder engagement, and partner connections.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with business leaders, local governments, workforce partners, economic development organizations, and elected officials at all levels.
• Collaborate with neighboring Chambers and regional partners to strengthen regional alignment and competitiveness.
• Participate in marketing efforts to promote the region for business attraction and support the growth and retention of existing businesses.
• Maintain data-driven workflows, databases, and marketing tools that highlight regional assets and opportunities.
• Track, analyze, and report economic and workforce data to ensure strategies remain results-focused.
• Represent the Chamber on economic development boards, committees, and task forces; assist the President & CEO with the Chamber’s Economic Development Pledge Campaign.

Entrepreneurial Development & Innovation

• Lead the growth of Wilkes-Barre Connect, supporting entrepreneurs, startups, and scaling businesses.
• Manage a coordinated regional entrepreneurship ecosystem providing access to technical assistance, mentorship, capital, and networking.
• Lead and manage the Chamber’s workforce development initiatives.
• Establish program goals, performance metrics, and evaluation tools to ensure effectiveness and sustainability.
• Identify and pursue funding to support entrepreneurial and innovation initiatives.
• Build partnerships with K-12, higher education, and regional economic development ecosystem stakeholders.
• Collaborate with organizations such as Ben Franklin Technology Partners, TecBridge, The Institute, CareerLink, and related partners.

Grant Coordination, Administration & Compliance

• Lead the identification, pursuit, administration, and compliance of grants, loans, and public funding opportunities.
• Serve as the Chamber’s subject-matter expert on local, state, and federal funding programs, including leadership of the Chamber’s Industrial Fund.
• Coordinate grant writing, reporting, and compliance for internal and external initiatives.
• Develop efficient grant workflows from pursuit through fulfillment.
• Host funding workshops and events with agency and partner organizations.
• Leverage regional data resources to support grant development and reporting.

Government Affairs & Business Advocacy

• Build and sustain relationships with elected officials, agencies, and business stakeholders to advance advocacy priorities.
• Monitor and analyze policy issues impacting the regional business community.
• Design, administer, and analyze annual business and legislative priority surveys.
• Develop policy priorities, and advocacy strategies.
• Serve as a spokesperson and advocate for the Chamber on key economic and legislative issues and the Chamber’s Government Affairs committee.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in economic development, business development, government affairs, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience securing grant funding and designing, launching, and managing economic development or workforce programs.
• Proven success managing complex initiatives and driving measurable economic outcomes.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and organizational skills, including experience managing budgets and providing oversight of team members.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Proven ability to collaborate across sectors and serve as a trusted, professional representative of the Chamber.

Please Note: Applications should be submitted through this site and ALSO emailed directly to [email protected] for consideration.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person