Experience Inc. Jobs

Are you ready to join an organization where we focus on People First, have fun at work and make a difference in what we do?

Dairyland is proud of our People First culture centered around appreciation, celebrating wins and collaboration. We’ve worked hard to ensure alignment between our culture and our processes and systems, learning and development and rewards and recognition programs.

As a team, we work together to leverage the team’s diverse perspectives, ideas and experiences to deliver nothing less than the best. We are collaborative, transparent and committed to our People and their work experience, growth and professional development.

The Manager, Community and Economic Development will lead Dairyland Power Cooperative's community and economic development strategies. Identify and attract new business and economic growth within our service territory. Collaborate with Economic Development Managers to foster relationships with member-cooperatives, communities, and economic organizations. Identify and execute initiatives for community and economic development, and new load growth opportunities to increase energy sales. Work with Dairyland departments to pinpoint potential sites for new economic development ventures.

The Impact You’ll Make i n This Role:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Lead the development and implementation of the Community and Economic Development Strategic Work Plan.

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with state, regional and local economic development organizations, community and business leaders and public officials.

• Manage, lead, develop and collaborate with the Economic Development Managers to deliver on the Community and Economic Development Strategic Work Plan.

• Administer and promotes Dairyland’s economic development revolving loan funds and other economic development programs.

• Create an awareness of available economic development financing programs, rates, and other assistance available through Dairyland and its member-cooperatives.

• Lead Dairyland’s business attraction efforts by creating and developing relationships with key partners, engaging in proactive marketing and responding to requests for proposal. Work with member-cooperatives and communities to develop and market shovel-ready sites and achieve community readiness for business expansion and attraction.

• Lead Dairyland’s economic development marketing efforts. Ensure communication channels, including the website, newsletter and available sites and facilities database, are updated regularly.

• Maintain and grow knowledge of current federal and state economic development financing, as well as emerging tools, available in Dairyland’s service area.

• Assist Dairyland’s member-cooperatives in developing strategies for community and economic development.

• Assist Dairyland’s member-cooperatives in facilitating specific projects and initiatives by accessing project financing utilizing internal and external sources of funding and making resource connections. Facilitate a team approach with internal and external partners to provide efficiency and excellence.

• Provide education and training to Dairyland’s member-cooperatives concerning Dairyland’s wholesale rates, economic development programs, and other community and economic development topics.

• Annually prepare a budget for economic development activities in coordination with management. Manage budget on an ongoing basis.

• Serve as a key member of Dairyland’s sales team in promoting distributed generation options that preserve and grow electric load. Promote the use of electric energy and other member products and services.

• Engages in relationship development, outreach and advocacy as part of Dairyland’s Government Relations efforts to advance economic vitality throughout Dairyland’s service area.

• Other duties as assigned.

Your Experience and Expertise:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, public relations, political science, marketing, community/economic development or related field with 8 years demonstrated experience in developing, marketing, leading, and directing effective strategic programs in the electric utility and/or economic development industry including economic development financing, business credit analysis, real estate development, project administration, grant writing, marketing and communications. Advanced degree preferred. Certified Economic Developer and/or Economic Development Finance Professional certifications desired.

Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of utility industry business structures and motivations, including cooperatives and other utilities.

• Extensive knowledge of economic development programs, agencies and community initiatives.

• Ability to communicate effectively including developing and delivering effective presentations.

• Ability to build and maintain effective work relationships, both internal and external, and establish credibility with businesses, community and government officials, and other decision makers.

• Skills in customer relations, oral and written communications, team-building and interpersonal relations.

• Knowledge of the cooperative model, electric utility, economic development and energy industry.

• Must have good organizational skills and the ability to prioritize work assignments.

• Must possess leadership skills necessary to lead internal and external project teams.

We are committed to providing our greatest asset, our People, with as many perks and benefits as possible. Some benefits of working with us include:

• Health & disability benefits (medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability)

• Life insurance

• Generous 401(k) and Pension Plans

• Paid Time Off

• Robust Wellness Program

• New Flexible Work Program

• Tuition Reimbursement

• So much more!

Dairyland Power Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, contact our HR Department at 608-788-4000.

With headquarters in La Crosse, Wis., Dairyland is a generation and transmission cooperative that provides wholesale energy for 24 electric distribution cooperatives and 17 municipal utilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

At Dairyland, we know that happy employees are the backbone of any good organization. By offering an excellent compensation and benefits package, opportunities for career growth and a supportive environment, Dairyland helps ensure a quality business and premier workplace.

Dairyland Power Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.