Company Description
The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) is Southern Nevada’s leading economic development organization, focused on fostering economic diversification, job creation, and regional competitiveness. For over 60 years, LVGEA has been instrumental in attracting and expanding businesses to strengthen the local economy. As a trusted partner for entrepreneurs and global corporations alike, LVGEA collaborates with public and private stakeholders to build a resilient economic future. Guided by an esteemed Board of Directors, LVGEA is committed to driving strategic growth and opportunity for the Southern Nevada community.
Role Description
The Senior Vice President (SVP) of Business Development is a key executive leadership role responsible for driving regional economic growth, investment attraction, and business expansion initiatives in Southern Nevada. This position oversees strategic partnerships, business recruitment, industry engagement, and investment strategies to enhance the economic vitality of the region. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the SVP plays a critical role in advancing Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA)’s mission to diversify the economy and foster job creation.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Develop and implement strategic initiatives to attract new businesses and industries to Southern Nevada.
- Cultivate relationships with corporate executives, site selectors, corporate real estate professionals and key investors to promote the region as a business destination.
- Lead business recruitment, retention, and expansion efforts, ensuring alignment with regional economic priorities.
- Manage and direct the business development team to ensure success and achievement of organizational initiatives as approved by the Board of Directors.
- Develop and oversee successful execution of critical investor relations meetings, such as the Economic Developers Advisory Council.
- Serve as a visible leader in the region and acting in place of the President & CEO when needed whether in a management, public speaking, or other capacity.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, business leaders, economic development organizations, and key regional stakeholders to facilitate economic development projects.
- Ensure strong organizational updates and maintenance of customer relationship management (CRM) database on potential and current prospects, leads and business multipliers, creating and proactively providing up to date reports on progress to senior leadership.
- Represent LVGEA in public forums, industry events, and high-profile business negotiations.
- Conduct and oversee economic impact assessments to inform business development strategies.
- Utilize business intelligence to identify growth opportunities and competitive advantages.
- Monitor industry trends and best practices and provide data-driven recommendations to attract and retain businesses.
- Oversee ongoing value proposition development and compilation of client request for information responses as well as program execution for familiarization tours, trade shows, and lead generation activities including proactive target sector and industry related events.
- Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of business development initiatives.
- Ensure alignment between LVGEA’s strategic vision, economic growth objectives, and regional policy initiatives.
- Ensuring extreme and positive relationships and collaboration with local and state economic development partners and professionals.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economic Development, Finance, Public Policy, Urban Planning, or a related field (required).
- Master’s degree (MBA, MPA, or equivalent) in Business, Economic Development, or a related field (preferred).
- Professional certifications such as Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP), or similar credentials highly desired.
- 7+ years of leadership experience in economic development, corporate investment, business attraction, or public-private partnerships, at least 4 of which included managing others.
- Proven success in securing major business investments, corporate relocations, and expansion projects.
- Strong background in government relations, regulatory policy, and incentive negotiations.
- Demonstrated experience leading high-profile business development initiatives, managing multimillion-dollar projects, and driving measurable economic impact.
- Established national network and positive reputation within the site selection, business, investment, and economic development sectors, with a proven ability to foster strategic relationships.
- Experience managing a team, providing mentorship, and overseeing cross-functional collaboration within public and private sectors.
- History of developing and implementing data-driven business development strategies to support regional economic growth.
- Experience with financial modeling, incentive structuring, and investment forecasting to support business attraction efforts.
