Executive Director at Southeast Crescent Regional Commission

Executive Director Position Profile

About Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC)

The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC) is one of several federal regional commissions designed to address economic distress and regional inequality in seven states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Serving 428 counties, SCRC invests in the region’s economic development through grant programs, conducting research, and creating income-producing opportunities – all to help communities address economic disparity and advance prosperity, rising above persistent poverty and limited infrastructure.

SCRC primarily operates through grant programs and cooperative agreements, to include the State Economic and Infrastructure Development (SEID) program. SEID grants fund projects led by local governments, nonprofits, and other community organizations. The Commission is led by a Federal Co-Chairperson (appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress) and Governors from the participating states. SCRC became fully operational in 2022 after leadership was established.

SCRC plays an important role in reducing regional disparities, supporting long-term economic growth, and helping communities in the Southeast become more competitive and resilient.

MISSION

• SCRC’s mission is to help create jobs, build communities, and improve the lives of those who reside in the 428 counties within the seven-state region. To achieve this, SCRC works to:Create jobs and support business development
• Improve infrastructure (such as water systems, transportation, and broadband)
• Expand access to healthcare and essential services, and
• Strengthen workforce training and education opportunities

OUR FOCUS AREAS

Critical Infrastructure: Expanding water, sewer, and transportation systems. Over 40% of SEID grants target basic infrastructure.

Workforce Development: Preparing workers for high-demand careers through training programs and community college partnerships.

Business & Economic Growth: Supporting entrepreneurs with capital access, technical assistance, and catalytic investment.

Health & Community Resilience: Expanding access to healthcare, housing, and environmental resources.

INVESTMENT METRICS

137 Total Projects

$53.34M SCRC Awards

$99.9M Matching Funds

$102.5M Total Project Costs

POSITION SUMMARY

The role of the Executive Director is to lead the administrative, programmatic, and fiscal management of SCRC, ensuring the organizational structure, budget, and programs support the Commission’s strategic plan and States’ initiatives for the region. Working with the Office of the Federal Co-Chair and State partners, this position manages critical operations that provide growth and development opportunities for communities in the region that ensure a sustainable economy. The position is under the general direction of the Federal Co-Chair and States’ Co-Chair, and subject to the policies and procedures prescribed by the Commission.

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic, engaging leader whose experience in economic or community development has developed within them a passion for impacting communities and building relationships with diverse audiences. Additionally, the ideal candidate has the ability to navigate complex environments to balance the priorities of all states and counties represented by the commission. This person will be skilled in developing coalitions and substantive partnerships, understanding the value of bringing multiple stakeholders together to pursue common goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director serves as the highest level, non-federal Commission staff, directing the work of the Commission staff, in consultation with the Federal and States’ Co-Chair on decisions. The Executive Director administers decisions and recommendations impacting the Commission.

Responsibilities to the Commission

• Reviews and makes recommendations to the Federal Co-Chair and Commission on all plans, projects and funding requests submitted by the states. Negotiates compromises in areas where agreement is difficult to reach.
• Consults and advises the Commission on the development of policies and initiatives. Implements and enforces all Commission resolutions and policies. Leads the development of policy and program changes in response to changes in levels of appropriations or other legislated changes.
• Communicates with the Federal Co-Chair and the States to ensure the most relevant and current information is available to the Federal and States’ offices.
• Serves as Secretary to the Commission, ensuring that Commission meetings are scheduled, recorded and minutes maintained. Ensures maintenance of an official repository of Commission documents. Reports to the Commission at each meeting on the activities of the Commission and Co-Chair’s Committee.
• Prepares the SCRC annual report for submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and member states.
• Performs special projects and other activities as requested or delegated by the Commission or the Co-Chairperson’s Committee.
• Assist in the creation, maintenance, and management of SCRC records management program that complies with the Federal Records Act and its regulations.
• Keeps abreast of new Executive orders, legislation, policies, or other directives that may impact SCRC services, ensures all stakeholders are aware, and makes the appropriate and timely adjustments.
• Coordinates Congressional activity when requested by the Federal Co-Chairperson.
• Ensures meaningful opportunity for customer input and feedback and monitors evaluation results of all programs and significant initiatives undertaken by SCRC.

Economic and Community Development Program

• Directs a multi-faceted community/economic development program with senior managers, subject matter professionals, technical support staff in grants management, program evaluation, research, and facilitation.
• Leads a management team to identify opportunities and resolve issues related to the operations of the agency.
• Establishes goals and performance measures for policy implementation, program management and service delivery aligned with the Commission’s mission.
• Facilitates long-range planning that anticipates future needs and identifies future growth opportunities.
• Oversees the revision of long-range plans, goals, and objectives, including the strategic investment plan, for the work directed.
• Coordinates the overall planning, direction, and timely execution of all SCRC programs, including development, assignment, and higher-level clearance of goals and objectives for supervisors or managers of subordinate organizational units or lower organizational levels.
• Represents the Commission at conferences, meetings, and other external facing events when requested by the Federal Co-Chairperson.

Administrative Responsibilities to the Commission

• Provides direction for the planning, development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of all efforts related to administrative functions of the organization including technology, communications, finance, human resources, and business services. Structures the internal organization of the Commission and assigns duties and functions to the staff consistent with strategic goals/plans, agency priorities, and exigencies of public service. Delegates authority to appropriate levels to maximize efficiency of operations.
• Ensures that policies, guidance, standards, strategies, services, and resources are aligned with agency priorities and reflects an understanding of the impact on SCRC components and the overall SCRC mission, performance goals and resource constraints.
• Ensures that policies, guidance, and management practices are consistent with relevant laws, regulations, policies, mandates or guidance from Federal, State, and local regulatory bodies and others with relevant authority or oversight authority. Ensures the organization’s information technology infrastructure is efficient, secure, and responsive to client’s needs.
• Ensures the organization’s communications strategy aligns with its goals and includes engaging, accurate and timely material shared through appropriate platforms.
• Exercises, after consulting with the Office of the Federal Co-Chair, authority for personnel actions and organization design proposals recommended by subordinate supervisors. Performs periodic assessments of staffing strategy, including adequacy or needs, training needs, succession planning readiness, employment practices, compensation, and management effectiveness in supporting and enforcing critical aspects of human resources management.
• Ensures that Commission staff are fully informed about annual ethics training and duties.
• Performs other duties as assigned in accordance with governing policies and regulations of the Commission.
• Promotes principles of Equal Opportunity Employment, including pay parity.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is required for consideration. A master’s degree or other post-secondary degree is preferred.
• Prior experience in economic development, community development, grants management, or other related area is required for consideration.

The Executive Director will work out of the Columbia, SC office. Travel will be required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in a federal-state commission, regional commission, or similar entity.

To view the full position profile and other qualifications, please visit: SCRC - ED Position Profile

TO APPLY

Interested candidates are asked to apply by August 7th at 5:00 p.m.