Executive Director - Ohio River Commission

Ohio River Commission Leader with Statewide and Regional Impact The Ohio Department of Development seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as Executive Director of the Ohio River Commission.

The Ohio River is one of our state's most vital natural assets-supporting commerce, recreation, and regional economic development.

What You'll Do: As Executive Director, you will lead strategic, administrative, and programmatic functions of the newly created Commission, coordinating multiple state agencies and external stakeholders.

With dedicated biennial funding of $500,000 per year for FY 2026 and FY 2027, this role offers the opportunity to shape long-term impact through policy, partnerships, and initiatives that support the environmental and economic vitality of the Ohio River and its communities.

Your Job Duties: * Direct the Ohio River Commission and oversee implementation of all priorities and directives in accordance with enabling statutes, Commission bylaws, and interagency agreements.

* Lead policy development, operational planning, and strategic execution for all Commission initiatives.

* Manage a biennial budget of $1 million ($500,000 annually) from the Ohio River Commission Fund; oversee fiscal planning, reporting, and grantmaking activities.

* Solicit, review, oversee grants and research initiatives related to economic development, environmental sustainability, and travel/tourism along the Ohio River and its tributaries.

* Coordinate and prepare agendas, reports, and logistics for Commission meetings; establish and support subcommittees and working groups as needed.

* Lead education, outreach, and advocacy efforts to raise awareness of the river's strategic importance; serve as the Commission's primary spokesperson and public representative through speech writing and delivery.

* Engage with local governments, tourism agencies, regional coalitions, businesses, and citizens across Ohio's river communities.

* Apprise Commission members of current national, regional, and legislative developments impacting the Ohio River.

* Supervise Commission staff; develop operating plans, assign tasks, and conduct performance evaluations.

* Ensure alignment with the Commission's mission and compliance with state laws, policies, and procedures.

* Represent the Commission in public forums, legislative meetings, regional consortia, and state committees.

* Respond to public inquiries and provide briefings and presentations to various audiences.

* Evaluate program outcomes and recommend changes or new initiatives based on data and stakeholder input.

* Collaborate with state agencies including the Departments of Development, Natural Resources, and Transportation.

Required Education, Skills, and Experience: * Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Planning, Business, or related field.

* Proven leadership experience, preferably in public administration, government affairs, economic development, or nonprofit management.

* Working knowledge of state and local government operations, especially in areas of grants, public finance, or regional planning.

* 5 years of experience in policy, program administration, strategic planning, or fiscal oversight.

* Demonstrated •experience managing public funds and coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives.

* Demonstrated ability to develop and manage budgets, grant programs, and procurement processes.

* Strong public speaking, written communication, and relationship-building skills.

* Supervisory experience and ability to lead teams effectively.

* Experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint). * Proven results with navigating complex public issues and sustaining productive cross-sector partnerships.

* Demonstrated commitment to public service, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Preferred Skills and Experience: * Experience in partnering with C-level executives, governmental officials, and internal stakeholders.

* Industry experience in sectors such as transportation, environmental planning, marine commerce, or tourism.

* Hands-on familiarity with platforms such as Salesforce or OAKS.

* Extensive organization and project management skills.

* Experience with multimedia content creation and event planning.