Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA) Vice President, Economic Development
Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA)
Vice President, Economic Development
Opportunity Profile | 2026
Organization Overview
The Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA) is a 501(c)(6) public/private economic development partnership serving the three-county Charleston–North Charleston–Summerville, South Carolina MSA. CRDA operates as the region’s lead economic development organization, uniting business, government, academic, and civic leadership around a shared mission: to build long-term, inclusive, and globally competitive economic prosperity for the Charleston region.
With a professional staff of 12 and an annual operating budget of approximately $4.5 million, CRDA drives results through disciplined strategy, market intelligence, regional collaboration, and investor engagement. The organization positions Charleston as a premier destination for corporate investment, innovation, talent, and entrepreneurship while strengthening the foundational assets that support sustainable growth.
CRDA’s core strategic focus includes:
• Building and scaling high-impact industry clusters
• Positioning the Charleston region as a globally competitive business and talent market
• Supporting corporate site selection and expansion decisions
• Advancing regional competitiveness through coordinated public-private leadership
• Aligning business, academic, and government stakeholders around shared economic priorities
Strategic Context
CRDA is advancing a next-generation economic development strategy designed to position the greater Charleston region as a leading hub for innovation-driven growth. This strategy aligns with the broader One Region Roadmap and emphasizes long-term competitiveness, economic resilience, and talent-centered development.
The strategy is anchored in four core objectives:
• Establishing a shared regional vision for Charleston’s economic future
• Defining clear short-, mid-, and long-term economic development priorities
• Leveraging and integrating the region’s innovation, research, workforce, and infrastructure assets
• Implementing performance metrics that measure economic impact, competitiveness, and regional outcomes
The Vice President of Economic Development will play a central role in translating strategy into execution—driving outcomes, aligning partners, and ensuring sustained economic impact.
Position Overview
CRDA seeks a senior economic development leader to serve as Vice President, Economic Development. This executive will be responsible for shaping, leading, and executing CRDA’s core economic development platform and advancing the organization’s long-term strategic priorities.
Reporting directly to the President and CEO and serving as a member of the executive leadership team, the Vice President will provide both strategic and operational leadership across CRDA’s economic development functions. The role integrates strategy development, business development, global market positioning, talent and innovation ecosystem building, and stakeholder alignment.
This position requires a leader who can operate at the highest strategic levels while also driving disciplined execution—someone equally effective in boardrooms, C-suite environments, project negotiations, and regional collaboration settings.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
• Partner with the President & CEO, Board of Directors, and regional leadership to define, refine, and execute CRDA’s economic development strategy
• Translate long-term regional vision into actionable priorities, measurable initiatives, and operational plans
• Ensure alignment between organizational strategy, investor priorities, and regional economic goals
Economic Development Execution
• Lead CRDA’s core economic development platform, including:
o Industry cluster development
o Innovation ecosystem growth
o Global business marketing and positioning with our Marketing & Communications team
o Corporate attraction, expansion, and investment facilitation
o Foreign direct investment strategy
o Talent attraction and retention initiatives
• Provide executive oversight of complex business attraction and expansion projects
• Support high-level deal structuring, negotiations, and value proposition development
Market Intelligence & Competitiveness
• Monitor economic, industry, workforce, and market trends to identify growth opportunities and risk factors
• Use data-driven insights to inform strategy, investment priorities, and regional positioning
• Advance policies, partnerships, and initiatives that strengthen long-term regional competitiveness
Organizational Leadership
• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and performance management for CRDA’s economic development team
• Build a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and high performance
• Develop internal capabilities aligned with modern economic development practices
Stakeholder & Partner Engagement
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with:
o Local and regional government leaders
o State agencies and economic development partners
o Higher education and research institutions
o Workforce development organizations
o Private sector investors and corporate leaders
o Site selectors, consultants, and international partners
• Serve as a visible ambassador for CRDA and the Charleston region
• Represent CRDA in high-level regional, national, and global forums
Executive Leadership Support
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO
• Act as organizational representative and leadership proxy when required
Candidate Profile
Experience & Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in economic development, regional development, corporate strategy, site selection, or related fields
• Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives
• Experience executing regional, global and/or large-scale economic development strategies
• Proven ability to develop and deliver customized value propositions to senior corporate decision-makers
• Strong understanding of industry cluster development and innovation ecosystems
• Established relationships within the economic development and site selection ecosystem
• Financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource management
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and executive presence
• Ability to travel approximately 30% of time
Leadership Attributes
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
• Strategic vision with disciplined execution
• Collaborative leadership style
• Strong relationship-building capabilities
• Political and organizational acumen
• Data-driven decision-making
• High integrity, high energy, credibility, and professionalism
• Ability to unify diverse stakeholders around shared outcomes
• Lead and develop internal teams
• Results orientation and continuous improvement mindset
Compensation
Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications and will include a comprehensive benefits package.
Application Process
Candidates are encouraged to apply promptly for full consideration.
To apply, submit a resume and cover letter to Laura Varn & Associates:
Laura Varn
laura@lauravarn.com
References & Background Review
Final candidates will undergo a comprehensive reference and background review, including verification of education, professional references, and relevant background checks. Any employment offer will be contingent upon the successful completion of these processes.
Charleston Regional Development Alliance is an equal opportunity organization committed to building a diverse and inclusive leadership team.