Deputy Director of Global Business Development

Job Responsibilities

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Welcome to South Carolina. The new headquarters of American innovation.

The South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) is committed to maintaining the state’s long-term competitiveness while building a modern economy — one that is diverse, supporting businesses at every phase of their lifecycle, while allowing people to live and work where they love.

As one of 22 cabinet agencies, S.C. Commerce is the state’s lead economic development agency. Its mission is to create economic opportunities to increase choices for all South Carolinians, which it does by supporting new and existing businesses and partnerships that fuel emerging industries such as life sciences, headquarters, and advanced energy. To drive the state’s advanced energy potential and global impact, S.C. Commerce helped organize the SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (SC NEXUS), designated as one of 31 federal Technology and Innovation Hubs in 2023\. A national leader in foreign direct investment, South Carolina extends its international reach with representation in Europe and Asia, ensuring the state remains a top, global business destination from launch to legacy.

Job Purpose:

SC Department of Commerce is seeking an experienced and knowledgeable professional to be our Deputy Director of Global Business Development. The purpose of this job is to provide strategic and operational leadership for the Project Management Team by overseeing project execution, developing staff, strengthening processes, and supporting Division leadership in advancing South Carolina's business recruitment and expansion objectives.

Job Responsibilities:

Lead the Project Management Team

• Lead and oversee the Project Management Team, providing strategic and operational leadership, establishing priorities, setting expectations, allocating resources, and ensuring the team is positioned to achieve Division and Agency goals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, excellence, continuous improvement, and collaboration within the Project Management Team. Provide leadership in staffing structure, capacity planning, and talent development while ensuring consistent execution across the project portfolio.
• Provide coaching, guidance, mentorship, and performance management to Project Managers, supporting professional growth and the development of a high-performing team.

Oversee Project Intake, Execution, and Portfolio Management

• Direct the assignment of incoming projects across the Project Management Team by evaluating project requirements and Project Manager expertise, capacity, and other relevant considerations to support successful project execution and outcomes.
• Conduct due diligence on prospective projects to identify potential risks, concerns, or strategic considerations, including ownership structures, foreign affiliations, labor relations, and other relevant factors. Collaborate with Research and other internal teams, as needed, to support more comprehensive due diligence efforts and elevate projects requiring additional review or consideration to Division and Agency leadership.
• Exercise discretion and sound judgment in handling sensitive matters, confidential information, personnel issues, stakeholder concerns, and executive-level discussions.
• Provide guidance and support to Project Managers on complex, sensitive, or high-priority projects and assist in resolving issues that may impact project execution or outcomes.

Serve as a Strategic Advisor and Division Leader

• Serve as an active member of the Division's leadership team, collaborating with the Division Director and other Global Business Development leaders to evaluate opportunities, address challenges, align priorities, and help shape Division strategy and decision-making.
• Analyze project activity, stakeholder feedback, and market conditions across the project portfolio to identify emerging trends, recurring opportunities and challenges, evolving prospect requirements, and factors affecting South Carolina's competitiveness.
• Synthesize project and market intelligence into strategic insights and recommendations that support Division planning, business recruitment efforts, project execution strategies, and Agency leadership decision-making.

Drive Continuous Improvement

• Lead the ongoing evaluation and evolution of the Project Management function and identify opportunities to strengthen overall team effectiveness, project outcomes, operational performance, and resource utilization.
• Champion data integrity and consistent data management practices across the team, supporting accurate reporting, informed decision-making, and effective project management.
• Support the strategic direction and implementation of the Agency's CRM redesign by providing project management expertise, helping define business requirements, workflows, and process improvements, and ensuring the system effectively supports economic development activities. Champion CRM adoption and effective utilization across the Project Management Team, while continuously evaluating system performance and recommending enhancements that improve operational effectiveness and sales process efficiency.
• Identify, develop, and present recommendations to improve processes, strengthen communication, reduce duplication, and enhance operational excellence. Implement approved initiatives and monitor results to ensure desired outcomes are achieved.

Build Relationships and Foster Collaboration

• Develop and maintain effective cross-functional working relationships across the Agency, collaborating with Incentives, the Project Management Office, Research, Marketing, Business Services, Legal, and other teams to support project execution, align resources, share intelligence, and address issues affecting project success.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with organizations and individuals that influence business recruitment and project execution, including local and regional economic development organizations, site selectors and consultants, utilities, state agencies, and other public and private sector partners.

Represent the Division, Agency, and State

• Collaborate with Division leadership to establish business development priorities and develop the Division's annual calendar of conferences, trade shows, trade missions, consultant engagement activities, and other targeted outreach efforts.
• Represent the Division, Agency, and State in meetings, events, trade missions, and other business development activities, providing project management expertise and insight that support business recruitment efforts.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned in support of Division, Agency, and State economic development objectives.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

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A bachelor's degree in a related area and experience in sales, economic development, or management.

Must possess knowledge of economic development principles, business recruitment practices, and resources available to support business attraction and expansion efforts. Ability to provide leadership, direction, coaching, and performance management to professional staff. Ability to exercise considerable judgment and discretion when addressing sensitive and confidential matters. Ability to analyze information, identify trends, and translate project and market intelligence into actionable recommendations. Ability to plan, organize, and oversee multiple projects, priorities, and resources simultaneously while meeting deadlines. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with internal teams, prospective companies, and public and private organizations. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

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Knowledge of South Carolina's economic development landscape, including the organizations, programs, incentives, and resources that support business recruitment and expansion efforts. Experience leading teams, managing complex project portfolios, or overseeing economic development initiatives. Familiarity with CRM systems, performance reporting, and process improvement methodologies.

Additional Comments

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The South Carolina Department of Commerce offers an exceptional benefit package for full-time and temporary grant positions that include:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse and Children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days of sick leave per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• State Retirement Pension and 401K Plans
• Deferred Compensation Programs
• Paid Parental Leave