Senior Vice President of Economic Development

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Vice President, Economic Development

Orlando Economic Partnership
Orlando, Florida

Shape the Future of One of America’s Most Dynamic Regions

The Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) invites a visionary, nationally recognized economic development leader to help shape the future of one of the fastest growing and most innovative regions in the United States.

This is a rare opportunity to play a defining leadership role in implementing the Orlando 2045 Vision—a bold, community-driven roadmap to position Orlando as a Top 10 Innovation Hub and one of the most competitive, inclusive, and globally connected economies in the world.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the Senior Vice President, Economic Development, will lead transformational strategies that create jobs, attract high-impact investment, accelerate innovation and ensure Orlando’s long-term economic competitiveness and broad-based prosperity.

Orlando is no longer simply one of America’s fastest-growing metros—it is emerging as a global center for technology, aerospace, life sciences, modeling and simulation, and the foundational creative industries, including hospitality and entertainment. This role will help define what comes next.

The Role: Driving Transformational Economic Leadership

The Senior Vice President will serve as the region’s foremost architect of business growth and innovation-led economic development—leading initiatives that position Orlando as a premier destination for companies, entrepreneurs, talent, and investment.

This leader will move beyond traditional economic development to build and scale a world-class innovation ecosystem that connects industry, talent, research, and capital.

Key priorities include:

Advance the Orlando 2045 Vision

• Lead implementation of forward-looking economic development strategies that position Orlando as a Top 10 Innovation Hub.
• Strengthen Orlando’s competitive position in high-growth, future-focused industries including technology, life sciences, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and immersive and creative technologies.
• Drive initiatives that ensure long-term economic resilience, talent competitiveness, and global relevance.

Attract and Grow High-Impact Companies and Investment

• Improve upon the annual KPI’s of 4,000 new jobs, 25 announced projects, $375M in capital investment and average wage of $70,000.
• Lead efforts to attract and expand companies that create high-wage jobs, drive innovation, and strengthen the regional economy.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to CEOs, investors, and corporate decision-makers considering Orlando for major investments.
• Build compelling, data-driven business cases that position Orlando as a premier destination for innovation and growth.
• Expand Orlando’s national and global visibility among corporate executives, site selection consultants, and industry leaders.
• Champion and grow the OEP’s regional site readiness initiative

Lead Regional Strategy and Collaboration

• Provide executive leadership to OEP’s Economic Development team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation.
• Work closely with regional CEOs, elected officials, academic leaders, and community stakeholders to align around shared economic priorities.
• Lead the global trade mission strategy and partner across OEP to align economic development with investor engagement, public policy, marketing, and talent initiatives.
• Support the chair of the economic development committee as a key strategy to engage regional stakeholders that can help the organization evaluate goals, initiatives, and help drive towards results.
• Serve as a visible regional ambassador, representing Orlando on the national and global stage.

The Leader We Seek

This role requires a bold, strategic leader who combines vision with execution and understands how to build modern, innovation-driven economies.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Results-driven leadership and execution of KPIs related to high wage job growth, capital investment, leads, and FDI.
• Leadership and the ability to grow and motivate a high-performing team.
• A nationally competitive track record of driving economic growth, investment, and innovation
• Executive-level leadership experience in economic development, corporate strategy, innovation, or related fields
• Deep understanding of innovation ecosystems, talent competitiveness, and industry transformation
• Strong relationships with corporate executives, investors, site selection consultants, and ecosystem leaders
• Exceptional strategic thinking and the ability to translate vision into measurable impact
• Executive presence and credibility to influence leaders across business, government, and academia
• A collaborative leadership style and commitment to the mission.

Preferred qualifications include:

• 10–15+ years of economic development and leadership experience
• Existing relationships with site selectors
• Experience working in or with high-growth, innovation-driven regions
• Experience across public, private, and nonprofit sectors
• Advanced degree or relevant professional certifications

Why Orlando. Why Now.

Orlando stands at a defining moment.

With one of the fastest-growing populations and economies in the nation, a diverse and highly skilled workforce, world-class research institutions, and globally recognized industry leadership, Orlando is uniquely positioned to become one of the most important innovation centers in the United States.

The Orlando 2045 Vision provides a clear roadmap to the future of economic development for the region—and this role will help bring that vision to life.