Organizational Background
Founded in 1927, Greater Lafayette Commerce (GLC) is a trusted leader in uniting business, government, education and community efforts to strengthen the region. GLC serves as both the chamber of commerce and the lead nonprofit economic development organization for Lafayette, West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County. With a staff of 13, GLC delivers a wide range of programming—from business advocacy and workforce development to investment attraction and regional marketing.
The incoming VP of Economic Development will join the organization at a time of exceptional momentum and opportunity. Greater Lafayette is at a once-in-a-generation inflection point. Building on decades of successful economic growth and prosperity, several recent announcements underscore the transformative trajectory and opportunity that the area is experiencing.
At the same time, GLC is intentionally evolving how it approaches economic development, moving from reactive deal support to proactive, strategy-led company attraction and retention. This role offers a rare opportunity to:
- Help shape GLC’s economic development strategy, not just execute it.
- Build and own the business attraction pipeline from the ground up.
- Be the face of GLC and the Greater Lafayette region with site selectors, investors and state partners.
- Work directly with the president and CEO to define priorities, positioning and long-term impact.
- Leave a visible, durable mark on both the organization and the community.
Work Culture
As the leading local organization for community initiatives, growth, and economic development, GLC is a hub of high-profile activities in multiple areas. The staff works under the direction of a president and chief executive officer, a board of directors, and with numerous community volunteers. Team members work collaboratively for the good of all, often assisting in areas beyond traditional job responsibilities, with many opportunities for personal and professional growth. The work environment is dynamic, forward-thinking, fast-paced, and goal-oriented.
Position Summary
GLC is seeking a strategic, collaborative and results-driven Vice President of Economic Development. This senior leadership role is responsible for creating and executing GLC’s economic development strategy and advancing business attraction, expansion and retention efforts across Lafayette, West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County.
Reporting directly to the president and CEO, the Vice President of Economic Development serves as a respected deal leader for company attraction and expansion – representing Greater Lafayette in competitive site selection processes and leading high-stakes conversations and building credibility with site selectors, corporate decisionmakers, public-sector partners. This role is central to advancing GLC’s mission to promote economic prosperity and a superior quality of life through new investment, job creation, and the long-term business growth and success of existing employers.
This role will act as a connector and catalyst, aligning local assets with market opportunities and executing strategies that position Greater Lafayette as a competitive, credible and execution-ready location for growth. While informed by long-term vision and strategy, this role is intentionally focused on implementation and results, owning the attraction pipeline for GLC, driving business retention and expansion efforts, advancing site selection efforts, and overseeing local tax incentives and abatements (in collaboration with the cities).
The Role
- Lead and own business attraction, expansion and retention strategy for GLC.
- Serve as the primary point of contact and closer for active attraction projects for which GLC is participating.
- Build, manage and track a strong, robust pipeline of prospective companies and investments.
- Coordinate prospective business visits and tours to Greater Lafayette.
- Work with the Business Retention and Expansion Director to compile local and state incentive proposals.
- Oversee execution of RFIs, proposals and presentations with speed, accuracy, and strategic clarity.
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- Coordinate with local government, state and utility partners to assemble competitive, executable project solutions.
- In partnership with the Workforce Development Director, collaborate with universities, workforce institutions and councils, and supply chain partners to strengthen deal competitiveness.
- Cultivate high-value relationships with local and state leadership, industry and university partners, site selectors, commercial real estate brokers, and prospective domestic and international companies to strengthen Greater Lafayette’s competitive position.
- Maintain deep working knowledge of:
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- Available site and building inventory in Greater Lafayette
- Local infrastructure and utility capacity
- Local industry clusters and major employers
- Workforce and education assets
- Local, state and utility incentive tools
- Community quality of life assets and programming (both present and future developments)
- READI projects
- Knowledge of all related GLC functions and programming.
- Economic and workforce development activities at the state level, including those led by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Purdue Research Foundation, Purdue University, Ivy Tech Community College and others.
- Track, analyze and report key data to help make the case for business investment locally.
- Represent GLC and the Greater Lafayette region at state, national and international economic development events.
- Provide senior leadership for GLC’s economic development function.
- Partner closely with the Workforce Development Director on workforce development and education initiatives.
- Partner closely with Business Retention and Expansion Director on helping our existing member companies grow and expand.
- Partner closely with the president and CEO on strategy, priorities and external engagement.
- Represent the CEO and GLC in select high-level meetings and negotiations as needed.
- Prepare periodic reports for the board of directors regarding progress and updates.
- Budgeting expense monitoring for economic development programs and operations
- Execute all other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
This role is designed for someone who thrives in high-autonomy, high-expectation environments. The ideal candidate will bring:
- Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in economic development, site selection, corporate real estate, business development, sales, community relations or related fields.
- Track record of winning or materially influencing attraction or expansion projects.
- Confident, credible and service-driven approach to complex, multi-stakeholder deals.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and administrative skills to manage multiple projects.
- Sales-oriented mindset: confident, credible, persistent, and service- and results-driven.
- Ability to maintain the confidentiality of any information encountered/obtained.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Ability to embrace and respond to change and daily situations that arise.
- Ability to manage details and multiple tasks while working with a collaborative team on projects and initiatives.
- Ability to work with and meet deadlines.
- Comfort operating in high-autonomy, high-expectation environments.
- Mature approach in handling business and professional interactions.
- Working knowledge of MS Office software, industry software and CRMs, databases, etc.
- Preferred: Demonstrated measurable growth in capital investment, job creation and wage impact.
- Preferred: Established relationships with site selectors, consultants, corporate leaders, and investors.
- Preferred: Experience navigating multi-jurisdictional environments involving local, state and utility partners.
- Preferred: Knowledge of manufacturing, advanced industry, supply chain ecosystems, and/or international business.
- Preferred: Experience working with the public and private sectors desired.
- Preferred: Professional certification in economic development.
- Ability to travel as needed
Compensation and Benefits
This is a senior leadership role with compensation structured to reflect both responsibilities and performance:
- Performance-based bonus opportunities, tied to economic development outcomes.
- Competitive benefits package.
- Professional development and travel support, consistent with the role’s external focus.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and brief statement of interest outlining their experience to:
Mikel Berger
President and CEO, Greater Lafayette Commerce
mberger@greaterlafayettecommerce.com
References and Background Check
Candidates will undergo a comprehensive background and reference check. Once strong mutual interest is established, applicants will be asked to provide a list of references. If an offer is extended prior to the completion of these checks, it will be contingent upon their satisfactory completion.
All inquiries and applications will be handled confidentially.
How to Learn More about Greater Lafayette Commerce
