Executive Director
Reports To: Board of Directors
Direct Reports: VP of Operations, VP of Economic Development (or Senior Director of Economic Development), Director of Investor Relations, Director of Events and Engagement
Status: Full-Time, Exempt

About Grow Cedar Valley

Grow Cedar Valley is a regional chamber and economic development organization focused on strengthening and growing the Cedar Valley (Black Hawk County, Waterloo & Cedar Falls, Iowa) economy through collaboration, business leadership, workforce initiatives, advocacy, and strategic economic development.

We work at the intersection of business, community, education, and government to advance initiatives that support regional competitiveness, talent attraction and retention, business growth, entrepreneurship, and quality of life across the Cedar Valley region.

Our organization is fast-paced, collaborative, and highly relationship-driven. We are deeply committed to moving the region forward and believe meaningful progress happens through strong partnerships, bold thinking, and a willingness to act.

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of Grow Cedar Valley and is responsible for providing strategic leadership, organizational management, financial stewardship, investor engagement, and implementation of the organization's strategic plan. Working closely with the Board of Directors, staff, investors, municipalities, and regional partners, the Executive Director ensures Grow Cedar Valley fulfills its mission to advance economic growth, strengthen regional collaboration, and enhance quality of life throughout the Cedar Valley.

In addition to serving as Executive Director of Grow Cedar Valley, this position serves as President of TechWorks, providing strategic leadership for the organization's affiliated philanthropic initiative and ensuring its investments advance innovation and long-term regional prosperity.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Management

• Provide visionary leadership and execute Grow Cedar Valley's strategic plan.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing organizational culture focused on accountability, innovation, communication, transparency, and service.
• Lead and develop the team while empowering directors to make operational decisions.
• Ensure organizational priorities remain aligned with board direction and regional needs.
• Oversee organizational operations, personnel, succession planning, and performance management.
• Establish annual organizational goals and monitor progress.

Board Relations & Governance

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
• Partner with board leadership to establish strategic priorities and organizational direction.
• Prepare board agendas, reports, financial updates, and strategic recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with bylaws, policies, and governance best practices.
• Support board recruitment, orientation, and leadership development.

Investor Relations & Resource Development

• Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major investors.
• Build long-term relationships with business leaders, foundations, municipalities, and regional partners.
• Secure new investments that support organizational sustainability.
• Partner with staff to maximize sponsorship and grant opportunities.
• Represent Grow Cedar Valley in meetings with key stakeholders and prospective investors.

Community & Regional Leadership

• Serve as the organization's primary spokesperson.
• Represent Grow Cedar Valley with elected officials, business leaders, regional organizations, media, and community groups.
• Build partnerships that advance regional competitiveness and collaboration.
• Position Grow Cedar Valley as the trusted leader for economic and community development initiatives.

Financial Management

• With the VP of Operations, develop and oversee the annual operating budget.
• Ensure responsible financial management and long-term sustainability.
• Monitor organizational performance against budget and financial goals.
• Work closely with Finance Committee on forecasting, reserves, investments, and audits.
• Ensure compliance with all financial policies and reporting requirements.

 Strategic Initiatives

• Lead implementation of the Count Me In regional strategy and other board-approved initiatives.
• Monitor emerging economic, workforce, legislative, and community trends.
• Identify opportunities for organizational growth, partnerships, and innovation.
• Ensure organizational resources remain focused on initiatives with the greatest regional impact.

Advocacy & Public Policy

• Provide strategic leadership for Grow Cedar Valley's advocacy efforts.
• Build strong relationships with elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Support staff in advancing board-approved legislative priorities.
• Represent Grow Cedar Valley on regional and statewide committees.

Economic Development Oversight

While not serving as the organization's lead economic developer, the Executive Director will:

• Support and provide strategic direction to personnel responsible for economic development.
• Assist with major business recruitment, expansion, and regional development opportunities when executive involvement adds value.
• Serve as a key relationship builder with CEOs, developers, site selectors, and community leaders.
• Ensure economic development initiatives align with organizational priorities and available resources.

TechWorks Leadership

Serve as President of TechWorks, Grow Cedar Valley's affiliated philanthropic initiative dedicated to advancing innovation, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and regional economic competitiveness. Responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic leadership for TechWorks and ensure alignment with its mission and investment priorities.
• Work closely with the TechWorks Board of Directors to establish funding priorities, investment strategies, and long-term vision.
• Oversee implementation of the annual grantmaking process and investment initiatives.
• Cultivate relationships with donors, community partners, entrepreneurs, educational institutions, and philanthropic organizations.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of TechWorks assets in accordance with the Investment Policy Statement and board-approved spending policies.
• Identify opportunities to leverage TechWorks resources to advance regional economic development and innovation.
• Provide regular reporting to the TechWorks Board and Grow Cedar Valley Board regarding financial performance, program outcomes, and community impact.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Public Administration, Economic Development, Communications, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible executive or senior leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading teams and managing organizational operations.
• Strong financial management and budgeting experience.
• Experience in fundraising, investor relations, or business development.
• Exceptional communication and public speaking skills.
• Ability to build relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.

Preferred

• Experience leading a chamber of commerce, economic development organization, nonprofit, municipality, or business association.
• Knowledge of economic development, workforce development, community development, or public policy.
• Experience working with volunteer boards and committees.

Requirements

• Ability to attend meetings throughout the Cedar Valley and surrounding region.
• Occasional evening and weekend commitments.
• Ability to travel overnight for conferences, legislative events, and economic development activities.

This job description reflects the general duties of the job but is not a detailed description of all duties which may be inherent to the position. 

How To Apply

Please send cover letter, resume, and references by Tuesday, September 8^th, 2026 to administration@veridiancu.org or by mail to:

Grow Cedar Valley Search Committee

c/o Renee Christoffer

Veridian Credit Union

6525 Chancellor Drive

Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Grow Cedar Valley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.