Job ID: 51127
Location: Orangeburg, South Carolina
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Last Updated: 2 days ago
Orangeburg County Development Commission seeks an experienced economic development leader to join their team as Executive Director.
To view the full Position Profile, please visit OCDC Executive Director Profile
About Orangeburg County Development Commission
Founded in 1955, Orangeburg County Development Commission serves as the lead economic development organization for Orangeburg County, SC. OCDC is charged with recruiting new investment, creating jobs, retaining and expanding existing industries, and helping improve the overall economic well?being of the county.
A proven leader in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and technology, the County is strategically located at the intersection of I-26, I-95, and US-301, with seamless access to the Port of Charleston and major Southeast markets. The OCDC team connects businesses to the resources they need to thrive, from site selection to expansion.
As a hub for innovation, OCDC provides:
- A wide range of industrial parks, sites, and buildings tailored for businesses of all sizes and industries, ready to support growth and expansion.
- Customized workforce development programs through local institutions like Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, SC State University, and Claflin University.
- A business-friendly environment with competitive incentives and modern utilities.
IDEAL CANDIDATE SUMMARY
The ideal candidate is a strategic, collaborative, and results-driven economic development professional with the vision and experience to lead industrial, manufacturing, and commercial growth across a diverse county that includes both rural communities and a smaller, centralized city. They understand how to position the county competitively for industrial investment by leveraging available land, strong workforce potential, infrastructure assets, and a responsive local government environment.
County-Wide Industrial Strategy & Policy Alignment
This candidate has a proven track record of developing and executing county-wide economic development strategies that prioritize industrial, manufacturing, and commercial recruitment, site readiness, and infrastructure development. They are skilled at aligning land use planning, utility expansion, transportation access, and economic policies to attract and support high-impact projects. Their public-sector experience includes working with incentive programs, zoning and permitting processes, and infrastructure investments that reflect both local priorities and regional competitiveness in the industrial market.
Industrial and Commercial Recruitment, Site Development & Project Management
The candidate brings deep expertise in industrial recruitment—particularly in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, food and beverage, automotive, logistics, agribusiness, and related supply chains. They maintain strong relationships with site selectors, industrial brokers, utility providers, and state and regional allies, and are experienced in managing RFIs, coordinating site visits, negotiating incentive packages, and preparing sites for development. They understand the drivers of industrial site selection—such as transportation access, utility capacity, permitting timelines, and workforce availability—and know how to position the county to meet those requirements effectively.
Support for Existing Industry & Workforce Alignment
Recognizing that existing manufacturers are often the county’s largest employers and greatest advocates, this candidate brings a strong focus on Business Retention & Expansion (BRE). They maintain active relationships with local industry leaders, identify barriers to growth, and work with partners to solve workforce, infrastructure, or operational challenges. They also understand the importance of workforce development in supporting both new and existing industry, and have experience coordinating with schools, technical colleges, and workforce boards to align training programs with employer needs.
Public-Sector Leadership & Community Engagement
With experience in county government or affiliated agencies, the candidate brings strong public-sector leadership and a commitment to transparency, accountability, and stakeholder collaboration. They work effectively with elected officials, local governments, and development partners to advance industrial priorities and secure community buy-in for new projects. They understand how to manage the expectations of multiple stakeholders—balancing community concerns with the realities of industrial development and growth.
Practical, Innovative & Regionally-Minded
This candidate combines practical, on-the-ground knowledge with a forward-thinking approach. They understand rural infrastructure challenges, workforce limitations, and site development barriers—and bring creative solutions to move projects forward. They also recognize the importance of regional partnerships and know how to position the county as part of a broader industrial corridor or logistics network. Above all, they are committed to driving sustainable, high-quality industrial growth that brings good jobs, long-term investment, and economic resilience to the entire county.
QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) with at least 5 or more years of experience in economic development or related work. Ideally, candidates will have certifications such as CEcD or SSCED and have completed a variety of economic development training programs. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage stakeholders and represent the county with professionalism. They have in-depth knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and incentive programs that impact business recruitment, development, and expansion efforts. They also understand the key drivers of site selection across various sectors—including industrial, office, distribution, and R&D—and can effectively position the county to meet the unique needs of each. Experience working with international companies and investors is ideal.
Executive Leadership & Organizational Management
- Provides executive leadership for the Orangeburg County Development Commission (OCDC), ensuring strategic alignment, operational efficiency, and high-performing staff.
- Oversees day-to-day operations, assigns priorities, sets performance expectations, and develops staff through mentorship and accountability.
- Leads the development and execution of the Commission’s long-range strategic plan; reports annually to the Board on progress, outcomes, and adjustments.
- Ensures responsible financial stewardship by developing, managing, and executing the Commission’s budget and annual program of work in alignment with Board-approved goals.
- Represents OCDC as the County’s lead economic development organization, building visibility through active civic involvement and regional engagement.
- Maintains regular participation in County Council meetings to ensure transparency, alignment with county leadership, and consistent communication of economic development priorities.
- Serves as an ex-officio member of the Orangeburg County Economic Development Partnership, fostering collaboration with key local and regional partners.
- Leads the County’s industrial and commercial recruitment efforts, including strategy development, targeted outreach, trade missions, and industry events.
- Negotiates directly with prospective companies and site consultants to secure new investment and job creation, positioning Orangeburg County as a competitive location for business.
- Oversees the full lifecycle of project engagement—from responding to RFIs and coordinating site visits to preparing customized proposals and managing follow-up.
- Builds and maintains a robust pipeline of prospects through relationship development with brokers, utility partners, site selectors, and allies such as SC Department of Commerce and Central SC Alliance.
- Implements a comprehensive prospect tracking system to monitor project progression, manage deadlines, and ensure timely follow-up and engagement.
- Evaluates company financials and operational plans to assess project viability and ensure alignment with the County’s economic goals.
- Directs research and technical analysis to evaluate the economic impact and feasibility of proposed projects, expansions, and infrastructure development.
- Guides site readiness and inventory management, ensuring a current and marketable database of available industrial sites and buildings aligned with industry needs.
- Builds and sustains strong relationships with County Council, municipal leaders, and public officials to align local policies with economic development priorities.
- Advocates for ordinances, infrastructure investments, and policies that enhance Orangeburg County’s ability to attract and retain business and industry.
- Serves as a trusted advisor to elected officials and local leaders on economic trends, development opportunities, and the strategic direction of the Commission.
- Creates awareness with local leaders of infrastructure deficiencies that hinder success in business recruitment or existing industry retention.
- Serves as the primary liaison between OCDC and a wide array of stakeholders, including elected officials, local government staff, business and industry leaders, utilities, state agencies, consultants, and the public.
- Effectively communicates the mission, strategies, and progress of OCDC to diverse audiences, promoting transparency and building support for economic development initiatives.
- Educates community stakeholders on the fundamentals of economic development and the long-term benefits of strategic business growth and investment.
The Orangeburg County Development Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act. OCDC will provide reasonable accommodations, upon reasonable request, to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees to discuss potential accommodations with OCDC.
COMPENSATION
The expected compensation for this position will be between $145,000 – $185,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
Orangeburg County offers comprehensive benefits to its employees as well as participation in the State of SC Retirement System. More information about benefits can be found by visiting www.peba.sc.gov and https://www.orangeburgcounty.org/177/Employee-Benefits.
TO APPLY
The deadline to apply is November 9th. FGP will evaluate applications on an ongoing basis during the application period with final review of applications being conducted the week of November 10th.
Interviews with the Board will begin shortly thereafter and will continue until the position is filled. A selection is anticipated before the end of the year.
Questions may be directed to Christin Mack with Find Great People, LLC at cm***@*gp.com.
