County of Kittitas (WA)

Compensation

Full Description

This position is open-until-filled with a first review after February 1st, 2026. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for optimal consideration. Relocation assistance available for the ideal candidate. THE POSITION The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring the coordination and accountability of the Kittitas County Economic Development Partnership (KCEDP). The Executive Director oversees strategic initiatives, cultivates partnerships, and implements programs to support KCEDP’s vision to become a model hub for transformative economic development in coordination with the Countywide Economic Development Strategic Plan. This role requires a seasoned leader with at least five years of management experience in economic or community development, supported by a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional background. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in public sector funding, business finance, and real estate incentive tools across all levels of government. THE KITTITAS COUNTY CONFERENCE OF GOVERNMENTS The Kittitas County Conference of Governments (COG) is a regional planning agency with the purpose of developing and promoting communication, understanding, and cooperation among the COG member jurisdictions. In late 2025 the COG established the Kittitas County Economic Development Partnership (KCEDP) to drive economic development across our County. The next major step in launching the KCEDP is the hiring of an Executive Director of Economic Development. This position is vital to support, coordinate, and provide accountability to the KCEDP as it begins its work. THE KITTITAS COUNTY COMMUNITY Situated in central Washington between the foothills of the stunning Cascade Mountains and the mighty Columbia River, Kittitas County residents enjoy limitless activities and recreation opportunities year-round. With over 200 days of sunshine each year, residents and visitors can enjoy activities including hiking, camping, numerous golf courses, fishing and boating, horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, climbing, and backpacking. Residents here enjoy the small-town feel with easy access to Seattle, just a two hour drive from Ellensburg, the largest city in Kittitas County. Ellensburg is well known for its friendly residents and rural life-style, along with summer music festivals, seasonal Farmer’s Market, and the annual Kittitas County Fair and Ellensburg Rodeo. • Design, advance, and executive comprehensive strategies to unite public and private partners across Kittitas County for the purpose of economic development, attracting new businesses and leveraging existing businesses. • Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with local government, public entities, nonprofits, businesses, associations, along with other key stakeholders to align efforts and leverage resources effectively. • Build partnerships across Washington to make Kittitas County the “first call” when business is deciding where to grow. • Direct and oversee complex, multi-jurisdictional economic development projects and programs, ensuring effective coordination among diverse stakeholders, adherence to budgets and timelines, and alignment with KCEDP and COG strategic goals and metrics. • Develop communication systems and protocols to serve COG, KCEDP, and external partners. • Provide strategic direction and timely updates to COG, KCEDP, the Board of County Commissioners, city councils, and other groups to explain the various aspects of the County’s economic development projects, plans, and other programmatic material beneficial to the County’s economic opportunity portfolio. • Identify and coordinate grant opportunities to fund key initiatives of the partnership. • Develop and manage a budget; track metrics and report results to COG. • Oversee contracts with external entities; recommend modifications and/or additional contractors to COG when necessary. • Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, public administration, economics, or closely related field, OR equivalent leadership experience in economic development, community development or related field. • Five (5) or more years of increasingly responsible management experience related to economic development, business development, entrepreneurship, commercial real estate development, and/or community development. • Experience with public sector processes, funding mechanisms along with business finance, real estate development and incentive tools at a federal, state, and county level. • Valid and active driver’s license. • Ability to travel up to 50% of the time. • A criminal history and background check will be performed on qualified applicants. Convictions may preclude candidates from employment in certain circumstances. Factors such as seriousness of the conduct, number of convictions, and place and manner in which the position will be performed, and any verifiable information related to the candidate’s rehabilitation, good conduct, work experience, education, and training will be taken into consideration.