Senior Project Officer
Job Summary
The mission of the NJEDA’s Governance Department is to ensure NJEDA Board Members and staff clearly understand the roles and responsibilities as it relates to serving on an NJEDA or affiliated Board, implements a clear framework and checks and balances for the preparation of board related action items, both internal and external, and promotes efficiencies for both board members and staff.
The Governance Senior Project Officer is responsible for leading the update, streamlining and effective implementation of efficiencies to Governance processes and serves as an expert in the drafting and refining of board policies, charters, by-laws and related templates and board and staff resource materials. S/he will work on enhancing and streamlining those processes and developing and updating Board Governance policies to create efficiency and ensure effective communication with and between the Board and staff.
Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Develops and implements Board Governance policies to streamline the governance practices and policies for the NJEDA Board, including drafting policies for adoption by the NJEDA Board.
- Serves as the primary drafter of board related policies, charters, bylaws and associated templates and resources for board members and staff. Prepares and presents board memos and related documents to obtain board approval to implement policies to improve efficiencies for board members and staff.
- Leads on the development of standard operating procedures and templates for the management of Board Governance, including drafting internal-facing board governance protocols, policies and templates for circulation and utilization Authority-wide for the streamlining of governance related practices.
- Researches existing policies and delegations of authority in-depth. Reviews recommendations provided by the NJEDA Board Governance consultant. Works with the Director of Governance, senior staff and the Office of the Attorney General to draft, revise and implement new and revised board governance policies. Institutionalize best practices for implementation authority-wide.
- Streamlines the management of the NJEDA Board and each of its respective committees, and affiliated Boards and Commissions, including the NJ Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology and the Capital City Redevelopment Corporation.
- Communicates with staff and board members and drafting of material for the update and streamlining of Board Governance policies, protocols and initiatives.
- Masters the needs of the governance workflow, agenda setting, with critical follow-up. Ensuring deadlines are met including developing, tracking, and recording processes and procedures
- Identifies opportunities and implements strategies to maximize Board Governance Software for Board Members and Staff.
- Leads independent work and small project teams to execute departmental goals and strategies.
- Advises Authority leadership on policy and technical matters related to program topics and initiatives.
- Promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative and collaborative environment.
- Participates in setting goals and objectives and assesses progress against individual plans to provide input on semiannual and annual reviews.
- Demonstrates a leadership and ownership mindset within the department including suggesting new ideas for how to improve the division.
- Collaborates in the development and achievement of the department goals; reviews and evaluates own performance against key metrics.
- Develops best practices which can be institutionalize across multiple programs; defines and implements needed systems and policies.
- Must complete annual and semiannual self-assessment as required.
- Performs duties to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.
- Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to self-motivate and self-lead own work planning and execution with a strong results orientation
- Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize work
- Attention to detail and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated proficiency in creative and analytical problem solving, including structuring issues, framing solutions, and executing complex analyses with limited time constraints and limited supervision.
- Strong ability to synthesize findings and propose actionable solutions
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (presentation, memos, and emails)
- Ability to work on small project teams tackling complex and challenging work
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; proficient in grammar, spelling and editing; and foster communications with business professionals and EDA staff
- Ability to undertake research, disseminate information and summarize in an easily understandable format
- Ability to prioritize workload, must be highly organized, detail-oriented, handle various tasks simultaneously and work independently within limited time constraints with little or no supervision
- Demonstrate ability to gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of EDA programs and services
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, ability to competently prepare PowerPoint presentations, database skills, and the ability to learn new software packages.
- Must be able to maintain confidentiality and deal effectively and diplomatically with business professionals and EDA staff
- Demonstrates respectful behavior and promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer focused work environment among division, EDA staff and external customers
- Must be able to maintain confidentiality and deal effectively and diplomatically with business professionals and EDA staff
Required Qualifications
Education and Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in a relevant field such as policy, planning, communication, or other relevant areas.
- Law Degree or legal/paralegal; experience desired.
- Seven years of industry-facing experience in a government agency or related field (or) seven years of experience in a fast-paced, project-based professional services environment that emphasizes team work, problem solving, and communication (e.g., management consulting, investment banking, legal field, large-scale project management, etc.)
- Experience in program development, public policy development and basic financial principles
Advanced degree or industry specific certification may be substituted for 1 year of experience
Location
- Position can be based in either Trenton or Newark
Physical Demands
- Minimal
- Ability to work outside normal business hours, as needed
Travel
- As necessary to events, meetings, businesses, etc.
Certificates and Licenses Required
- Valid driver’s license
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job description. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope, general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.
Your employment at NJEDA is voluntary and subject to termination by you or NJEDA at will, with or without cause, or with or without notice, at any time. Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to conflict, eliminate or modify the employment-at-will status of NJEDA employees.
This position is considered exempt and is excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers under the FLSA.
NJEDA reserves the right to amend/revise this job description as necessary to meet current and changing business needs.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Position Requirements
- Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a reputable evaluation service at your own expense and must be submitted prior to a start date. If this cannot be provided within 21 days of an offer the offer will be rescinded.
- Must comply with the “New Jersey First Act” which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011 to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources.
- Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.