Director, global operations & markets

Work for Indiana. Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Indiana Economic Development Corporation: Bring your biggest and boldest ideas to life as an employee of the IEDC. We are a fast-paced and forward-thinking team charged with pursuing economic development opportunities for current and future Hoosiers in our state and around the world. Our culture embodies the spirit of being bold and working collaboratively to create the economy of the future.

Role Overview: The Director, Global Operations & Markets will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight and project management support for the IEDC’s international business development initiatives. This position directs and actively supports the planning and coordination of logistics and operational execution of a wide range of global market activities including trade missions, international delegations, business visits, conferences, and strategic programming. The position serves as a central operational partner to the international business development team, ensuring efficient planning and execution of domestic and international engagements that support foreign direct investment, global partnerships, and market expansion efforts. While the position provides leadership and direction for global operational activities, it remains a working director role with significant direct involvement in program coordination and execution of the operational and administrative tasks necessary to support international activities. This includes managing and coordinating travel logistics, scheduling, program planning, and cross-agency coordination with domestic and foreign partners. The Incumbent ensures international initiatives are executed smoothly and in alignment with agency priorities.

Salary Statement: The salary range for this position is $80,011 – $83,000, commensurate with education and work experience.

A Day in the Life:

• International Offices Operations Management: Provide strategic oversight and leadership for international operational activities and offices that support global market engagement and business development initiatives. Develop and implement targeted marketing strategies specific to the international offices in alignment with their contracts. Oversee the development and execution of information sessions for the international offices by collaborating with IEDC partners and stakeholders to create impactful programming. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures designed to allow for better engagement between the international offices and the IEDC Indiana team. Coordinate the development of collateral, marketing materials, and presentations. Review and interpret the international office contracts to ensure compliance and monitor performance metrics. Secure budgetary approval for events, trade shows, travel, and other related business activities in accordance with IEDC policy and guidelines. Review and interpret international directors’ monthly reports; provide strategic recommendations for engagement and flag items of particular interest. Partner with IEDC IT to ensure compliance with international security protocols.
• International Project Management: Play a critical role in defining and driving the foreign direct investment strategy for the IEDC and our International Offices. Build and maintain strong executive level relationships with community, academic, and industry partners. Serve as the strategic lead for foreign direct investment management, with a deep understanding of the IEDC’s portfolio, market dynamics and competitive environment. Manage and negotiate competitive foreign direct investment projects with emphasis on attracting new capital investment resulting in new job opportunities for Hoosiers. Lead state and local economic development partners in providing unified responses to company requests for proposals. Support outside sales trips and other sales efforts to generate leads and raise Indiana brand awareness; responsible for attending conferences, partner events and meetings as needed. Other critical business development functions as identified by Vice President of Global Business Development and other IEDC Senior Leadership.
• Global Events and Visits: Oversee coordination of logistical elements of international business development and diplomatic delegation visits and other scheduled events. Work closely with international office directors, international staff, and project managers to ensure the execution of visits align with business development goals. Ensure meetings are set with appropriate protocol elements, catering and materials. Oversee elements of large-scale international special projects and events.
• Global Travel and Events Management: Assist with developing budgets for international economic development missions led by the Governor and Secretary of Commerce. Provide travel support for international economic development delegations for Governor & Secretary of Commerce to include Governor’s security team & staff, Board Members, C-Suite Executives, and other delegates. Support Governor and Secretary-led delegation travel by creating supporting documents including, but not limited to, briefings, event memos, and trip taskers. Manage ground transportation arrangements to include full driver and vehicle information for clearance purposes.
• Administrative and Protocol Support: Work on a cross-functional team to design and maintain the Global Investment & Partnerships SharePoint site to increase security of the IEDC’s file storage system and improve the effectiveness of team communication. Assist with material and mailings associated with IEDC events and communications to foreign offices. Oversee the development, vendor relationships and logistics of international gifts.

What You'll Need for Success:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in international relations, business, public administration, economics, or related field required.

Experience: 6-8 years’ experience in international business operations, economic development, project management, or global programs. Familiarity with working across government agencies or international partners. Experience coordinating complex logistics, events, or international programming. Experience coordinating international travel and multi-country engagements. Strong project management and organizational skills. Ability to manage multiple initiatives and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Knowledge of: International business development programs and global market engagement strategies including core industries to the State of Indiana such as manufacturing, life sciences, agribusiness, mobility, microelectronics, and information technology. High proficiency with MS Office Suite, CRM systems, and project management tools. Stakeholder engagement and partnership coordination, including collaboration with federal, state, regional and international partners, and community and business leaders. Cross-cultural communication practices and the ability to work effectively with international partners, foreign government officials, and global business stakeholders.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports: This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana: The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes: Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans. Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards. Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution. Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match. Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options. A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 160 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers. Up to 16 hours of paid community service leave. Combined 192 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off. 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years. Education Reimbursement Program. Group life insurance. Referral Bonus program. Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits. Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Free Parking for most positions. Free LinkedIn Learning access.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.