Senior Vice President Research

Senior Vice President, Research

Houston, TX

Our client, an economic development organization focused on guiding the future of the Houston region, is seeking a Senior Vice President of Research to lead the economist dialogue around the region This senior leader will provide management and oversight to the Research Division to ensure the delivery of qualitative and timely research and analysis in support of the organization’s effective implementation of its strategic goals and key priorities for economic development, public policy, and member engagement.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead research services for the entire organization, in support of all divisions
• Preparation of prospect proposals, competitive analyses, fiscal impact studies, target industry studies, and general research support for the Economic Development Division; preparation of country information for trade missions for the International Investment and Trade section of Economic Development
• Provision of research, special studies, and information supporting the Public Policy Division’s legislative agenda
• Provision of membership retention and engagement data analytics, prospect support services for the Member Engagement Division
• Support for the Marcom Division in preparing media assistance and providing economic and business information for the organization’s websites.
• Supervise the development and maintenance of a Houston information database including publications, paper-based files, computer files, and information databases.
• Consult on the development and maintenance of the database of company information for membership, member prospecting, other company lists and directories
• Supervise the research and writing of selected publications
• Manage research staff efforts to provide support for the region’s economic development allies, as required.
• Represent the organization in the community and with members, investors, business partners, regional allies, trade delegations and foreign visitors to the region
• Participate in strategic media and public relations activities, as required.
• Acquire expert-level knowledge in areas of population, demographics, wages, labor availability, real estate, taxes, business incentives, utilities, geography, local industries, education, transportation, international trade and quality of life amenities in the Houston region.
• Direct detailed economic and fiscal impact studies for economic development projects or public policy position papers as required.
• Oversee the monitoring of national, state, and regional trends in economic development, area rankings, demographics, economics, relocations and expansions, etc., and ensure information is relayed to the organization’s staff whose work is impacted by those trends.
• Mentor and manage division staff.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in economics, statistics, math, finance, data science, computer science, public policy, or a related field with demonstrated economics coursework.
• At least 10 years of experience in business-related research, including at least 5 years in management roles with increasing responsibility.
• Understanding of the Houston region, regional information and issues.
• Experience working with economic and demographic data and the ability to understand the implications of data.
• Knowledge of economic principles, quantitative techniques, data analysis, AI research tools.
• Statistical software packages such as SPSS or programming language experience or working knowledge such as Stata, R, Python, and others.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, initiative, integrity, and experience working both independently and collaboratively.
• Knowledge of basic macro and microeconomic theory.