02/24/2009 16520

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS OPERATIONS, DCED

DEFINITION:

This is professional and administrative work in planning, directing, and promoting Pennsylvania’s international business operations in the Department of Community and Economic Development.

An employee in this job serves as an advisor to Pennsylvania’s businesses, the department’s executive staff, and the Governor’s Office on matters pertaining to overseas markets and the promotion and marketing of Pennsylvania’s products and services to overseas buyers or direct investment by foreign markets. Work involves maintaining close contact and liaison with domestic and foreign manufacturers, government and commerce officials for in-state firms with the interest or potential for export or investment. Work includes serving as the senior business consultant and marketing expert responding to advanced inquiries from Pennsylvania companies on the potential markets for their products and managing the operations of the contracted overseas trade representatives. Work also involves assisting with managing the day-to-day operations and activities of the International Business Development Office; developing or amending the office’s strategic plan and ensuring compliance and integration of all export or investment program strategies and guidelines; managing the office’s trade or investment development budget and allocating resources as appropriate; managing the development and implementation of the office’s core requirements and work plans for the network of overseas contractors; maintaining liaison and partnerships with other state agencies interested in international business development programs; overseeing the coordination and implementation of the Governor-sponsored international trade or investment missions; and working closely with the Governor’s Office and the DCED Policy Office to ensure that new programs and initiatives are developed to meet the changing requirements of the global marketplace. Work is performed under the general direction of the Deputy Secretary for International Business Development and is reviewed through evaluation of program results, conferences, or reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Serves as the senior advisor on matters pertaining to overseas markets and investments or the promotion and marketing of Pennsylvania’s services and products to overseas buyers.

Assists in managing the day-to-day program operations and administrative activities of the International Business Development Office.

Manages and supervises the coordination and implementation of international trade or investment missions.

Develops, amends, and ensures compliance with the Commonwealth’s International Business Development Strategic Plan, according to the needs and capabilities of all PA firms.

Ensures the implementation and integration of new international business development recommendations as well as those resulting from the Keystone Export Strategy and the Governor’s Export Task Force.

Assists in managing the office’s budget and allocation of resources.

Manages the development and implementation of the office’s core requirements and work plans for the network of overseas contractors.

Maintains working relationships and liaison partnerships with other Commonwealth departments who have an interest in international business development programs and with federal, local, and other export development counterparts.

Works closely with the Governor’s Office and the DCED Policy Office to ensure that new programs and initiatives are developed to meet the changing requirements demanded by the global marketplace.

Speaks at functions that promote the utilization of Commonwealth-sponsored international trade or investment development programs.

Monitors and evaluates program performance.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

An employee in this job may participate in the performance of their subordinates’ work consistent with operational and organizational requirements.

Performs other work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the principles and practices of international trade and export finance.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of investment and business development.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of issues affecting business promotion, marketing, investment, and overseas export expansion.

Knowledge of foreign and domestic customs and their effect upon business efficiency and growth.

Knowledge of high technology utilization and its effect upon business efficiency and growth.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of leadership development and employee supervision.

Ability to analyze and interpret written and numerical information.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

Six years of professional experience in international trade or investment development, economic development, export, marketing or foreign investment; two years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; and a bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, international business, international relations, or a closely related field;

                                                                                                                                                   or

An equivalent combination of experience and training that included two years of supervisory experience in international trade or investment development, economic development, export, marketing or foreign investment.