Director, Aerospace

Georgia Department of Economic Development

Position Announcement

Title:

Director, Aerospace

Salary:

$95k - $100k

Division:

Center of Innovation

Location:

Atlanta, GA

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm. It is Georgia's lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, and locating new markets for Georgia products. As the state's official destination marketing organization, it drives traveler visitation and promotes the state as a location for film and digital entertainment projects. GDEcD is responsible for planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development, fostering innovation and the arts to drive opportunity from the mountains to the coast.

Exclusive to Georgia, the Center of Innovation helps Georgia businesses of all types and sizes find inspired solutions to challenges and opportunities. The Center connects new and expanding businesses with a team of experts, external partners, and independent mentors to tap into the technical expertise and guidance they need. By encouraging collaboration across six key industries: Aerospace, AgTech, Energy Technology, Information Technology, Logistics, and Manufacturing, the Center helps Georgia prepare for growth in strategic industry ecosystems.

This position will direct the Aerospace team of the Georgia Center of Innovation. Particular to this position, the Aerospace team serves as a key resource for providing expertise, connections, and innovative solutions to help Georgia's aerospace industry grow, prosper and compete globally. That mission entails extensive interaction with local industry, other teams within the GDEcD, the University System of Georgia (USG), the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), other state government agencies, local and national aerospace organizations, and local community leaders.

This position reports to the Executive Director of the Center of Innovation at GDEcD. The Director should have a broad, long-range view of the entire US aerospace industry, and be able to develop in-depth programmatic and technical understanding of Georgia's existing aerospace activities and how these intersect with known future development trends in the aerospace industry on a global basis.

Major Responsibilities: Leadership

• Facilitate client connections using various resources of the state to foster the growth of Georgia's aerospace industry.
• Act as the primary contact for Georgia's aerospace industry when technical assistance is needed for any aerospace challenge.
• Act as the primary contact for Georgia's Economic Development community when assistance is needed for recruitment or expansion of an aerospace company or other companies requiring aerospace support.
• Remain current on aerospace industry sector trends, news and developments.

In general, the Director will perform the following duties:

• Represent the Aerospace team at various meetings and functions;
• Create content and present briefings on the operations of the Aerospace Team and the Georgia aerospace industry;
• Respond to requests from the industry for information and assistance;
• Communicate and coordinate with other organizations (GDEcD, USG, TCSG, etc.) to gather information and provide contacts in response to industry requests;
• Track all constituent contacts and lead metrics collection efforts, providing monthly metrics data and other related information, as requested by the GDEcD;
• Develop annual budget requests and track budget activity throughout the year;
• Submit all administrative requests (travel authorizations, travel expense reports, requisitions, etc.) to GDEcD staff using appropriate systems and procedures;
• Respond to requests from other Georgia state government organizations with full concurrence of the GDEcD.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in related/relevant field.

Work Experience: 7-10 years aerospace industry or other job-related experience.

Skills:
• Candidate should have a working knowledge of general aerospace industry processes across multiple sectors.
• Candidate must work well under pressure while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Candidate should have proven ability to analyze and visualize complex, changing "system" situations, in both technological and organizational settings
• Candidate should be able to conceive, initiate and implement relevant initiatives with minimal direction, able to work both in office and in remote settings with limited day to day direction.
• Candidate must possess excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and external clients of diverse backgrounds and organizational levels.
• Candidate must have prior experience managing budgets.

Preferred Qualifications:
• 10+ years of directly related aerospace industry experience including 3+ years managing an aerospace industry team.
• Strong network of existing industry and stakeholder relationships, especially within Georgia.

Travel Required?

Yes

Nights, Weekends Required?

Yes

Deadline:

Open Until Filled; Position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. Apply ASAP.

Application Instructions:To apply for this position, you must submit your resumé and cover letter (PDF format preferred) via the link on our careers page at If you do not have internet access or require an accommodation because of a disability, please contact GDEcD Human Resources at 404-962-4000 or email jobs@georgia.org.

Additional Information for Applicants:All qualified candidates will be considered but may not receive an interview. Preference will be given to applicants who meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications. Information on publicly posted social media accounts may be reviewed as part of the screening process. Applicants who are not selected for interviews will not receive notification.

To be considered for a salary offer above the entry level (if a range is posted), the successful candidate MUST have most of the education and experience qualifications shown as preferred. To receive an offer at the top of the range posted, experience must exceed preferred level. Offers will not exceed the top amount posted.

Applicants selected for hire will be subject to a background check, including a criminal history record check. Depending on the position, the background check may include education verification, credit check, and driving record. Additionally, male applicants between 18 and 26 years of age must present proof of Selective Service Registration if hired.

Please note, if travel is required, the selected candidate will be required to pay travel expenses (hotel, meals, etc.) up front and will be reimbursed within one week of expense statement approval.

GDEcD is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Bachelor's degree in operations management, business administration, or a related field which includes five (5) years in a managerial or supervisory role; or nine (9) years of related professional experience which includes five (5) years in a managerial or supervisory role; or five (5) years of experience required at the lower level Sr Mgr, Business Ops (GSM012) or position equivalent.Note: An equivalent combination of knowledge, education, job or intern experience, training, or certifications that provides the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted year-over-year.