Program Director, GO Virginia

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise is accepting applications for a Program Director.

The Program Director directs the operations of the GO Virginia Region One Council. As the support organization for the Commonwealth’s GO Virginia program, UVA Wise Office of Strategic Engagement and Government Relations is responsible for supporting the work of the Region One Council, which includes the implementation of the Growth and Diversification Plan, grants management, constituent relations and adherence to the freedom of information act regulations. This position is responsible for the coordination, direction, and implementation of the council activities in the thirteen county/three-city region and assists in the management of the annual budget preparation and program review. Partnerships formed to support these efforts are diverse: representing government, education, industry, non-profits, entrepreneurs, chambers of commerce, and private foundations. Operating since 2017, GO Virginia is a statewide program. This position is fully grant funded and focuses on the Southwestern region of the Commonwealth. GO Virginia has been funded by the general assembly since 2017 and the most recent biennial budget runs through the end of June, 2028. The position will continue as long as funding is available.

Goals of the Position:

• At the direction of the Region One Council, execute strategies contained within the Growth and Diversification Plan.
• Assist the Council with the “deep thinking” required to address the economic challenges facing the region.
• Recommend feasible strategies that have been vetted, are supported by data, and will benefit Region One.
• Coordination among constituent groups of GO Virginia including the GO Virginia State Board and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
• Foster relationships with local governments, educational institutions, industry partners, and economic development organizations to identify and advance GO Virginia funding opportunities.
• Support collaborative planning, economic and workforce development activities, conduct economic impact analysis, review best practices and recommend projects to the Regional Council.
• Develop and maintain a robust GO Virginia project pipeline by identifying, cultivating, and supporting potential projects aligned with regional economic development priorities.
• Oversee the operations including accounting practices, grant administration, project management, as well as tracking and reporting of performance metrics and audit protocols.

Responsibilities and Duties:

There are three categories of programmatic and administrative responsibilities for operation of the GO Virginia Program for Region One.

System Development and Strategic Planning/Execution

• Manage the development and review of the Growth & Diversification Plan through stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and strategic planning
• Advance strategies contained within the Growth and Diversification Plan as approved by the Regional Council
• Develop and cultivate alliances and partnerships with regional stakeholders
• Adhere to GO Virginia State Board and Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development guidelines

Operational and Financial

• Provide staff support to regional council by coordinating regional council meetings, ensuring adherence to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Conflict of Interest Act (COIA) guidelines are met
• Develop and oversee the execution of an operational budget and fund management
• Administer the GO Virginia Region 1 application and review process, providing technical grant assistance to prospective applicants, supporting project development, proposal refinement, and alignment with guidelines
• Oversee the implementation and performance of funded projects by monitoring grant progress, ensuring compliance with grant requirements, and tracking performance metrics and outcomes
• Prepare required reporting to include quarterly, annual, project monitoring reports and progress related to the Growth and Diversification Plan
• Provide management support to the GO Virginia administrative team
• Implement quality and continuous improvement principles and eliminate duplicative services
• Identify and secure additional resources to include bridging opportunities across multiple regional councils for competitive grant funds

Communication and Outreach

• Oversee the implementation of an outreach and communication strategy for the GO Virginia Region One Council to include communication tools such as newsletters, social media, marketing collateral, presentation material and the Council website
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders including funders, employers, localities, education/workforce entities in SWVA as well as other regional councils throughout the Commonwealth
• Coordinate and provide staff support for GO Virginia subcommittees focused on advancing regional GO Virginia priorities

Required Experience: Some - up to 4 years

• Significant experience building alliances and leading high impact teams, projects, and programs in a matrixed environment;
• Knowledge of academic and industry environments and cultures, and ability to translate and match needs and capabilities;
• Significant experience working with C-suite executives, university leaders, legislators, and government agencies to influence and impact business investment and economic development decisions;
• Demonstrated experience with public-private partnerships, economic development initiatives, and pan-University initiatives.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills. Excellent oral, written, presentation and facilitation skills with ability to serve as an interface between academia, industry, and government;
• Ability to work collegially within a large, complex system and to negotiate with a wide range of constituencies.
• Ability to project a clear message on the College’s and GO Virginia’s role in economic development with faculty, staff, students, community, corporate, and government leaders.
• Ability to develop compelling value proposition statements and related materials and incorporate them into a broader communication strategy.
• Ability to identify opportunities, assess situations, assemble multi-party initiatives, find mutually beneficial areas for collaboration, and communicate to all stakeholders.
• Project management for complex, rapidly developing initiatives that may be ambiguous and with shifting participants.

Preferred Experience: Considerable 4-7 years

• Significant experience working with senior executives, higher education leaders, and state agencies to influence and impact business investment and economic development.
• Significant experience partnering with local, regional, and state economic and workforce development organizations.
• Experience in managing grant funding operations.

Required Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in business, economics, or another related field

Additional Requirements:

Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.

Required Documents:

Cover Letter, CV/Resume, and References (3)

Location:

This position is based in Wise, Virginia, situated in the far southwestern corner of the state near the Kentucky and Tennessee borders.

Anticipated Salary: $65,000 - $75,000; based on qualifications and experience

Contact:

Questions regarding this position should be directed to Hannah Addington, Human Resources Recruiting Specialist @ hrc2j@uvawise.edu

UVA Wise is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence, affordable access, and unwavering support of a collaborative and diverse community. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Employee fulfills duties as a “responsible employee” under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. A Responsible employee includes any employee: who has the authority to take action to redress sexual violence; who has been given the duty of reporting incidents of sexual violence or any other misconduct by students to the Title IX Coordinator or other appropriate school designee; or whom a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.

UVA Wise is committed to helping the campus community provide for their own safety and security. The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report containing information on campus security and personal safety, including alerts, fire safety, crime prevention tips, and crime statistics is available at www.uvawise.edu/ASR . A copy is available upon request by calling 276-328-0190 or 276-376-3451.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .