The Executive Office of Economic Development is committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel respected, valued, and empowered to maximize their skills and talents to serve our citizens.

About the Role:

This position will work across the office's pillars, primarily Economic Foundations and Economic Strategies, to serve as the primary contact and expert on all initiatives intended to streamline the permitting and approval process for development projects. The Director of the Permit Regulatory Office will be the point of contact for municipalities, businesses, and other stakeholders with permitting inquiries. The position will report to EOED's General Counsel but work closely with the Secretary and Undersecretaries, as well as other members of the executive leadership team. The position will also coordinate closely with other secretaries and state agencies that issue project permits and approvals.

This position will serve as director of the permit regulatory office established within EOED by section 3H of chapter 23A of the general laws, and by statute will serve as the state permit ombudsman to new and expanding businesses, to provide one-stop licensing for businesses and development in order to streamline and expedite the process of obtaining state licenses, permits, state certificates, state approvals, and other requirements of law.

The Director will provide technical assistance to municipalities interested in streamlining local permitting processes and review and approve or deny municipal priority development site proposals made pursuant to chapter 43D after consultation with other secretariats and will monitor the development of approved priority development sites. The Director will also work closely with the Economic Foundations team to recommend incentives or programs to municipalities that participate in 43D or other streamlined permitting efforts. In addition, the Director will work with specific site expansion projects that would benefit from streamlined local permitting. This person will also work with the Economic Strategies team on specific life sciences, manufacturing, and other key industry projects. Due to this position's cross agency role the director will also support the coordination of climate policy on behalf of EOED.

The Director will be a key point of contact to facilitate communication between municipalities and state agencies. The Director will also support the creation and implementation of the new "Business Front Door" currently under development at EOED. The individual will work with other state agencies on efforts to streamline permitting. The Director will also work on cross-secretariat projects or issues.

Duties and Responsibilities: (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Answer incoming inquiries from municipalities, businesses, and other external stakeholders regarding permitting.
• Work with municipalities to utilize 43D and other expedited permitting programs. Reach out to communities with pending projects to work with them on implementing these programs where feasible. Serve as liaison between businesses or state agencies managing a business project and municipalities to push projects forward.
• Collaborate with program managers in EOED's programs in the Foundations and Strategies teams to create, review, and recommend incentives for municipalities that are expediting local permitting.
• Engage with other Secretariats on improving state permitting. Meet and speak with colleagues across state government on specific projects awaiting state permits. Coordinate across agencies related to climate policy.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience and/or strong knowledge of state and local permitting. Legal background a plus but not required.
• Experience utilizing or working with expedited permitting programs.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated project management experience.
• Strong interactive and relationship-building skills with an ability to effectively communicate and present information and respond to questions from diverse audiences. Successful experience communicating and working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Familiarity and/or working knowledge of local government and zoning/permitting processes.
• Familiarity with the business community also a plus.
• Ability to work in a team-based project management environment.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Preferred candidate is enthusiastic, self-directed, creative problem-solver and passionate about community economic development.
• Must have strong computer skills in standard productivity software, (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.). Preferred candidate will have an interest and some experience in innovative technology, including economic development tools. GIS experience a plus.

All applicants should attach a cover letter and resume to their online submission for this position.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.