Assistant Vice President, International Partnerships

Our Vision: To make New York City the global model for inclusive innovation and economic growth, fueled by the City’s diverse people and businesses.   

Our Mission: Creating a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. 

Position Overview: 

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) of International Partnerships is an exciting opportunity for a business- and social impact-minded, highly collaborative, and strategic individual to build international partnerships that bring businesses, jobs, and opportunities to New York City. 

As part of the Partnerships Department, the AVP will lead relationships and partnerships with international stakeholders to advance EDC’s economic development priorities, including creating good jobs and attracting businesses (i.e., foreign direct investment), driving inclusive industry growth (e.g., tech, life sciences, sustainability), and investing in communities and real estate. 

The AVP will engage with a diverse set of international stakeholders, including governments, corporates, investors, academic institutions, event organizers, and nonprofits, with a focus on foreign consulates, trade & investment offices, economic development agencies, multilateral organizations, and global networks. The AVP should have deep familiarity with the international trade & investment world (e.g., experience working with key actors, understanding of the latest trends). 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Build and manage relationships between EDC and international stakeholders, creating awareness of EDC’s priorities and projects, identifying mutually beneficial opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, and attracting businesses and foreign direct investment (FDI) to New York City. 
• Develop and execute strategies for EDC’s international partnerships, in collaboration with the VP of Strategic Engagement; create ambitious plans, including goals, outcomes, projects, timelines, etc. 
• Lead engagements with foreign consulates, trade & investment offices, and diplomatic missions; partner on activities relevant to EDC’s work and initiatives that promote business opportunities and boost FDI. 
• Liaise with US city/state/federal actors, including the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, Empire State Development/Global NY, the US Export Assistance Center of New York City, the Department of Commerce/SelectUSA, and others; collaborate on international economic development strategies and initiatives. 
• Lead high-level meetings with international stakeholders and foreign trade delegations, in collaboration with EDC teams; manage requests, coordinate meetings, create agendas, and present on EDC’s work and opportunities. 
• Represent EDC at internationally focused events and conferences; serve as a spokesperson, representative, and ambassador of EDC; and organize EDC’s participation in local and global events and conferences as needed. 
• Organize 2-3 international trade mission trips to markets with high potential for FDI and programmatic partnerships in EDC priority sectors (tech, green economy, life sciences, etc.).   
• Collaborate with EDC teams to integrate global best practices into projects; support projects through international promotion, business attraction, partnership creation, and engagement with immigrant and diaspora communities. 
• Develop effective written materials, including strategy decks, project scopes, and briefing memos to prepare EDC senior management and staff, to include City Hall, for C-level external meetings and events. 
• Other duties and responsibilities as needed. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree preferred but not required 
• 5+ years of relevant experience, including international development/affairs/business, strategic partnerships, relationship management, and business development; experience working with governments is strongly preferred 
• Experience developing and implementing economic development strategies with international stakeholders 
• Experience building and managing high-level international relationships and partnerships 
• Experience and demonstrated ability to interface with senior officials and business & community leaders 
• Proven record of creating consensus among stakeholders and moving from ideas to action to outcomes 
• Demonstrated business writing and communications skills, including public speaking and exceptional attention to detail 
• Diplomatic, strategic, collaborative, creative, flexible, and curious 
• Proven competency in use of Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and primary databases such as Microsoft Dynamics 
• New York City resident required within 180 days of