Job: Senior Vice President, Economic Development at the Orlando Economic Partnership (Florida)

The Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) invites a visionary, nationally recognized economic development leader to help shape the future of one of the fastest growing and most innovative regions in the United States.

This is a rare opportunity to play a defining leadership role in implementing the Orlando 2045 Vision—a bold, community-driven roadmap to position Orlando as a Top 10 Innovation Hub and one of the most competitive, inclusive, and globally connected economies in the world.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the Senior Vice President, Economic Development, will lead transformational strategies that create jobs, attract high-impact investment, accelerate innovation and ensure Orlando’s long-term economic competitiveness and broad-based prosperity.

Orlando is no longer simply one of America’s fastest-growing metros—it is emerging as a global center for technology, aerospace, life sciences, modeling and simulation, and the foundational creative industries, including hospitality and entertainment. This role will help define what comes next.

The Role: Driving Transformational Economic Leadership

The Senior Vice President will serve as the region’s foremost architect of business growth and innovation-led economic development—leading initiatives that position Orlando as a premier destination for companies, entrepreneurs, talent, and investment.

This leader will move beyond traditional economic development to build and scale a world-class innovation ecosystem that connects industry, talent, research, and capital.

Key priorities include:

Advance the Orlando 2045 Vision

• Lead implementation of forward-looking economic development strategies that position Orlando as a Top 10 Innovation Hub.
• Strengthen Orlando’s competitive position in high-growth, future-focused industries including technology, life sciences, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and immersive and creative technologies.
• Drive initiatives that ensure long-term economic resilience, talent competitiveness, and global relevance.

Attract and Grow High-Impact Companies and Investment

• Improve upon the annual KPI’s of 4,000 new jobs, 25 announced projects, $375M in capital investment and average wage of $70,000.
• Lead efforts to attract and expand companies that create high-wage jobs, drive innovation, and strengthen the regional economy.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to CEOs, investors, and corporate decision-makers considering Orlando for major investments.
• Build compelling, data-driven business cases that position Orlando as a premier destination for innovation and growth.
• Expand Orlando’s national and global visibility among corporate executives, site selection consultants, and industry leaders.
• Champion and grow the OEP’s regional site readiness initiative

Lead Regional Strategy and Collaboration

• Provide executive leadership to OEP’s Economic Development team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation.
• Work closely with regional CEOs, elected officials, academic leaders, and community stakeholders to align around shared economic priorities.
• Lead the global trade mission strategy and partner across OEP to align economic development with investor engagement, public policy, marketing, and talent initiatives.
• Support the chair of the economic development committee as a key strategy to engage regional stakeholders that can help the organization evaluate goals, initiatives, and help drive towards results.
• Serve as a visible regional ambassador, representing Orlando on the national and global stage.

The Leader We Seek

This role requires a bold, strategic leader who combines vision with execution and understands how to build modern, innovation-driven economies.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Results-driven leadership and execution of KPIs related to high wage job growth, capital investment, leads, and FDI.
• Leadership and the ability to grow and motivate a high-performing team.
• A nationally competitive track record of driving economic growth, investment, and innovation
• Executive-level leadership experience in economic development, corporate strategy, innovation, or related fields
• Deep understanding of innovation ecosystems, talent competitiveness, and industry transformation
• Strong relationships with corporate executives, investors, site selection consultants, and ecosystem leaders
• Exceptional strategic thinking and the ability to translate vision into measurable impact
• Executive presence and credibility to influence leaders across business, government, and academia
• A collaborative leadership style and commitment to the mission.

Preferred qualifications include:

• 10–15+ years of economic development and leadership experience
• Existing relationships with site selectors
• Experience working in or with high-growth, innovation-driven regions
• Experience across public, private, and nonprofit sectors
• Advanced degree or relevant professional certifications

Why Orlando. Why Now.

Orlando stands at a defining moment.

With one of the fastest-growing populations and economies in the nation, a diverse and highly skilled workforce, world-class research institutions, and globally recognized industry leadership, Orlando is uniquely positioned to become one of the most important innovation centers in the United States.

The Orlando 2045 Vision provides a clear roadmap to the future of economic development for the region—and this role will help bring that vision to life.