Harris County is searching for an experienced, dynamic, and motivated leader to serve as the very first Director of the Harris County Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity (“Department”), which the Harris County Commissioners Court voted to establish in 2019. This role has the potential to serve as a platform for public-sector policy innovation and represents an exciting chance to build the most robust local-level economic opportunity department in the country. The successful candidate will be an entrepreneurial and resourceful leader with a passion for social justice and curbing economic inequity, and possess the ability to cultivate diverse partnerships across sectors.
The Department will spearhead financially, environmentally, and socially sustainable economic development that promotes equity and opportunity for all, community business development, workforce development, job training, and workers’ rights strategies. It will facilitate initiatives that aim to create business and workforce opportunities, as well as develop and implement policies and programs that create economic pathways for Harris County residents who have been historically disenfranchised and marginalized.
The Director will report directly to Harris County Commissioners Court, which serves as the administrative head of Harris County government.
The Director will collaborate with TIP Strategies and other consultants contracted by Harris County, along with community members, businesses, government agencies, experts, and other relevant stakeholders, to establish an inclusive vision for the Department that aims to enhance economic mobility and opportunity for all Harris County residents, while advancing the continued strength, resilience, and dynamism of our region’s economy.
• Graduate degree in a related field from an accredited university.
• Minimum ten (10) years management experience in the public sector and/or a public-facing role.
• Background or demonstrated experience in economic development, workforce development, workers’ rights, M/W/DBE program management, community business support, and/or community development.
• Experience evaluating data and/or an ability to communicate key details about data to stakeholders unfamiliar with analytics.
• Experience leading and implementing diversity and equity initiatives in the workplace. • Experienced and/or trained in cultural competence and/or implicit bias.
• Demonstrated success implementing community business programs and/or workforce development initiatives.
• Email resume and cover letter to DEEOEDSearch@tipstrategies.com
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis
• TIP Strategies has been retained by Harris County to coordinate and facilitate the recruitment process for this position