- Position: Chief Executive Officer
- Organization: Team NEO
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
- Salary: $250,000+
- Type: Full-time
Team NEO is recognized as the Northeast Ohio region’s economic development partner and a regional economic development table to accelerate the pace of growth, equity and business development throughout the region’s 14 counties. The economic ecosystem of Northeast Ohio is just as diverse, with a variety of city and county economic development departments, chambers of commerce, supportive foundations and public- and private-sector funded nonprofit economic development organizations. Over 21 years ago, Team NEO was formed to be the connective fiber to create alignment, momentum and collaboration to regional economic development strategies and services, connecting the region. In 2013, Team NEO was designated as the State of Ohio’s regional partner for the JobsOhio Network.
The 14 counties of Northeast Ohio represent over 30% of Ohio’s GDP with a population of over 3.5MM. Key industries in this region include advanced manufacturing, aerospace & aviation, automotive, financial services, food processing, headquarters & professional services, healthcare & biotechnology, information technology, logistics, metal production & fabrication, polymers & advanced materials, and semiconductors.
The organization leads business retention, expansion and attraction across the region as the JobsOhio regional partner. In addition, Team NEO supports, and works closely with, core partners in the region to develop aligned strategies, initiatives, and engagement to collaboratively address the unique challenges and maximize economic development outcomes. It has built and drives trust-based collaboration among committed and diverse NEO organizations.
A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Team NEO is a strong and respected organization both in the region and as a JobsOhio Network Partner. As with most economic development organizations, Team NEO’s success is measured by business recruitment, retention and expansion, number of new and retained jobs, payroll and capital investment. During the past decade, Team NEO and the LEDOs (Local Economic Development Organizations) and other partners of the Northeast Ohio Economic Development Network completed 846 successful projects, leading to the creation of 54,138 new jobs and $2.5BB in new annual payroll, the retention of 142,279 jobs and $9.3BB in annual payroll, and more than $13.9BB in capital investment secured.
Based in Cleveland, the organization is seeking a dynamic leader to become its next Chief Executive Officer. The current Chief Executive Officer has successfully served Team NEO for 9+ years and has announced his plan to step down from this role once his successor is appointed; as such, the Board of Directors has embarked on a national search. The new CEO will bring together and work with an engaged Board, experienced and committed staff, JobsOhio, local economic development organizations, private sector businesses, government entities, foundations, and other key partner organizations throughout the region to further the mission of integrated economic development, generating jobs and traded sector growth.
Team NEO has built a strong and cohesive network of state, regional and local economic development partners working together with government, industry and higher education to improve economic competitiveness and engage companies looking to grow in Northeast Ohio. While it has grown its investor base significantly, there is more to do in this area. Together with engaged partners and industry leaders on its Board, Team NEO has developed four strategy Councils, aligned with its four focus areas, to harness data-driven insights from the organization’s own research to foster industry innovation, build talent pipelines, identify prime development sites, and promote Northeast Ohio’s strengths.
The Chief Executive Officer reports to the Chair of Team NEO’s 40+ member Board of Directors which meets 5 times per year and directs 6 Vice Presidents and a total staff team of 35+. The Chief Executive Officer drives job retention, expansion and attraction across the region by 1) facilitating a collaborative regional ecosystem, strategies and initiatives; 2) supporting and enhancing local strategies, and 3) utilizing and highlighting local organizational strengths and business models.
The new CEO will be expected to bring a sense of business urgency to the role and elevate the visibility, brand and execution of this well-funded, growth-oriented, metric-driven collaborative organization. Team NEO’s 2024 $7.8MM annual budget is generated through funding from JobsOhio along with public and private sector support, grants, and program revenue. This executive will oversee and manage all aspects of the organization, focusing on the attraction, retention and expansion of Northeast Ohio’s business opportunities, through cross-sector engagement and collaboration among key partners.
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in a broad executive leadership role focused on economic development in a complex regional or large metropolitan market. This experience may come from various professional environments: serving as the top executive of a regional, municipal, county-wide or state economic development organization or a large chamber of commerce; service as the “#2” or another senior-level executive within an organization as noted above; a leader from a private sector business, nonprofit or a public sector organization within a growing regional area that relies on relationships across sectors.
An undergraduate degree and an advanced degree in business, law or other discipline is preferred. However, any combination of advanced education, lived, and learned experience will be valued and considered. If the candidate’s background includes service in an economic development-focused organization, then a demonstrated commitment to continued professional development through the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute, Certified Economic Developer designation, or other certification will be appreciated but optional.
Outstanding opportunity for an economic development, chamber, municipal leader, or private sector executive to lead a well-respected organization committed to the success of the business sector and overall economy and quality of life in the 14-count Northeast Ohio region. The new executive will work with an engaged and committed Board of Directors and professional colleagues on the staff and partners in the region and State of Ohio who are eager to move Team NEO’s objectives forward.
Team NEO is not content with the status quo and has high expectations for its new leader, as this executive will lead them into “the next chapter” for Team NEO and Northeast Ohio region’s continued growth and development.
If you know an outstanding economic development executive or other business leader who meets these requirements and would be interested in evaluating this dynamic opportunity, please email TeamNEO@Waverly-Partners.com or contact WAVERLY PARTNERS, the executive search firm retained by Team NEO for this search. A full Position Profile is available upon request.
Eric N. Peterson, Managing Director & Principal O: 440.892.5961; M: 440.463.0988
Heidi G. Milosovic, Managing Director & Principal O: 440.355.6629; M: 216.387.0832
WAVERLY PARTNERS, Cleveland, Ohio