SEEKING CANDIDATES: EXEC. DIRECTOR WTC LOS ANGELES
POSITION DESCRIPTION AND CANDIDATE SPECIFICATIONS FOR:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WORLD TRADE CENTER LOS ANGELES/
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
https://www.wtca.org/locations/world-trade-center-los-angeles?locale=en
The Organization:
The World Trade Center Los Angeles (WTCLA) works to support the development of international trade and business opportunities for Southern California companies as the leading international trade association, trade service organization and trade resource in the Los Angeles region. The organization also promotes Los Angeles County as a destination for foreign investment to a targeted international audience to attract a significant flow of investment to the region, thereby enhancing the region’s economy, employment and business opportunities for local firms.
The WTCLA is wholly owned subsidiary of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). The LAEDC is the region’s leading provider of economic development services. Established in 1981, the LAEDC’s mission is to attract, retain and grow businesses and jobs for the regions of Los Angeles County. The LAEDC serves the 88 cities and more than 100 unincorporated communities of L.A. County through its free business assistance and attraction programs, economic research, fee-supported economic and policy analysis, and public policy leadership.
Basic Function:
The Executive Director, WTCLA will be responsible for developing and executing policies and plans for succeeding in the mission and attaining the goals of the WTCLA. The Executive Director will accomplish this by working closely with the President and CEO of the LAEDC, the Board of Directors of the WTCLA and by working closely with other members of the LAEDC Board, LAEDC personnel, LAEDC member firms and the larger external business community.
Principal Responsibilities:
• Provide leadership and oversight for the WTCLA organization and programs;
• Develop and maintain a strategic plan for trade and attraction programs;
• Ensure all activities support the WTCLA and LAEDC’s mission and goals;
• Manage the agenda, content and speakers for the committee meetings;
• Assume responsibility for affiliate budget, asset and resource planning;
• Ensure delivery of annual revenues, grants and program goals;
• Provide oversight for marketing, website, media and communications;
• Develop and manage networking and fund raising programs;
• Lead mission trips and delegations to foreign countries;
• Establish foreign offices and satellite locations for the WTCLA as appropriate and in accordance with plan;
• Supervise WTCLA managers and staff;
• Provide oversight and management of existing investment and trade offices in China and other trade offices that may be established.
The Executive Director will carry out his/her responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. The Executive Director will also interview, hire and train employees as appropriate as well as plan, assign and direct work. The Executive Director will also appraise performance, reward and discipline employees and address complaints and resolve problems that may develop.
Desired Experience:
A desirable background would include senior level experience with a World Trade Center Association organization, senior level experience in world trade and business development, senior corporate experience in developing international business opportunities, experience with governmental organizations responsible for trade development, or some combination of all of these. Familiarity with the business, nonprofit and government communities in Los Angeles and Southern California would be a plus.
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Project Management: Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
Team Work: Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed; Recognizes accomplishments of other team members.
Leadership: Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Inspires respect and trust; Accepts feedback from others; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates; Gives appropriate recognition to others; Displays passion and optimism; Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision.
Managing People: Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
Strategic Thinking: Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
Judgment: Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
Desired Skills & Abilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Leadership Skills:
Ability to provide strategic and tactical leadership as well as ability to manage staff and work effectively with a wide range of people in other organizational functions.
Interpersonal Skills:
Ability to establish relationships and effectively promote the programs of the WTCLA with a wide variety of senior level individuals in business, nonprofit and governmental organizations, both domestically and internationally.
Communication Skills:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management.
Analytical Skills:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Word Processing software; Spreadsheet software; Internet software and Contact Management systems.
Location:
Los Angeles, California
Education:
A Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university is required.
Contact:
Scott Somers
Managing Partner
Windale Group LLC
ssomers@windalegroup.com
818-291-6313