Job Application - Greater Omaha Chamber Of Commerce

Job Posting CLOSED

AVP, Military Engagement and Strategic Partnership


PURPOSE OF POSITION:

 Build the area’s business infrastructure to support defense-related industry, initiatives and Offutt AFB.  Proactively enhance the region’s capabilities and image to be a center for defense through pro-active recruitment and retention of business and missions, utilizing successful advocacy at all levels of government and intentional partnerships.  In addition to being the organization’s military subject matter expert, serve as a professional who represents the Chamber on a wide variety of public policy initiatives and relationships as directed by leadership.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

1.    Advocate for the base and related commerce by serving as a primary contact with federal, state and local delegations and contract lobbyists on military matters.

·         Maintain relationships with Congressional military staff and occasionally travel to Washington DC for check-in meetings.

·         Maintain close contact with local and federal delegations as it relates to mission retention and attraction at Offutt Air Force base and periodic BRAC processes.

·         Work with the base, the Department of Defense and the Federal delegation to seek and secure funding for needed capital improvements on the base.

·         Maintain regular meetings/conversations with high-level base and Department of Defense representatives. 

·         Participate with base personnel when appropriate on hosting dignitaries to the base and the community.

2.    Identify and work in collaboration with stakeholders to attract new missions to the base.

·         Proactively work with the Federal delegation and the Department of Defense to seek additional missions for the base to diversify the mission mix and strengthen operations.

·         Conduct Business Retention and Expansion calls on the Defense Contractors present in the community to ensure continuity and growth and identify and business pain points.

·         Proactively seek additional Defense Contractor opportunities to locate in the region to strengthen the military sector in the region and support the base.

·         Participate in planning for defense industry conferences and schedule one-on-one meetings with top industry executives.

3.    Act as a community connector of military/defense matters and maintain close contact with the defense industry, base officials and related professional organizations.

·         Administer the professional needs of the STRATCOM Consultation Committee (SCC). Ensure SCC membership is engaged and informed on issues of import to the military community.

·         Serve as the state committee member representing the Omaha district of the Department of Defense organization “Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve” (ESGR).

·         Serve as lead representative and spokesperson to the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) and the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) on matters related to base realignment and closure, diversification and land use studies for the Nebraska region.

·         Work with the City of Bellevue, the Bellevue Chamber and other organizations on areas of common interest regarding the base.  Serve as a liaison with other State and local veteran and base support organizations.

4.    Serve as a military subject matter expert and represent the Chamber on a variety of other local partnerships and initiatives

·         Work with the base and exiting/retiring service personnel to connect them with job opportunities in the region.

·         Prepare testimony related to defense issues and represent the Chamber by testifying at Nebraska and other relevant legislative and policy hearings.

·         Work with the Chamber’s marketing team, the base’s communications team, and other parties to ensure appropriate positive stories about the various missions of the base and their impact are shared with the community.

·         Work with state officials and the Greater Omaha Chamber Public Policy Department in advocating for legislation supporting the defense industry in the Nebraska region.

·         Assist SVP of Public Policy with coverage of other local public policy needs, including Omaha City Council matters

·         Assist senior Chamber leadership in establishing funding for strategic planning and staffing to carry out advocacy for the preservation of existing missions and attraction of new missions as well as protection of assigned military organizations and personnel.

5.    Support and participate in all Chamber D&I efforts and seminars/conferences

6.    Other duties as assigned.


Expected Salary Range: $85,000 - $105,000

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 1. Coordinate activities with other economic development staff and with other departments.

2. Demonstrate next-step thinking to proactively generate meaningful solutions and execute work in a timely and efficient manner.

3. Ability to lead effectively and positively; to represent the Greater Omaha Chamber in a manner that this professional and consistent with all Guiding Principles.

4. Assist other areas of the Chamber including, but not limited to Prosper, Research, Workforce and Membership, and participate in calls to secure funding to develop advocacy materials of military relevance.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

N/A

 

 

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:

This SVP level position will have budgetary responsibility. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS:


To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed should be representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

 
 

The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.  We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training and others.  This list is not exhaustive.  The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications of merit and business needs at the time.