Executive Director

Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District (NRMEDD)
Executive Director - Job Description
Interested applicants should send their resumes and cover letters to wylie@nrmedd.org
Applications are due by End of Day January 15th, 2026.
The Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District (NRMEDD) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization located in Bozeman, MT. NRMEDD serves as the federal designee for the official Economic Development District from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, and its mandated service area officially includes Gallatin and Park counties. The organization also maintains an additional presence and service initiatives in Madison County. Currently, the organization operates with an Executive Director and two contract employees. Our primary functions are economic research and analysis, workforce development initiatives, community infrastructure, and other support projects.
The Executive Director serves as the principal administrative and strategic leader of NRMEDD and reports directly to the Board of Directors. This position is the primary driver of the organization's mission, requiring an entrepreneurial spirit and a unique blend of strategic leadership and direct, hands-on execution. The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic environment, approaching the organization's work with a "builder" or "startup" mindset, constantly seeking innovation and efficiency.
The Executive Director is the working leader responsible for guiding strategic direction with the Board, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission, and is personally accountable for the technical execution of key organizational functions.
Responsibilities and Expertise:
1. Strategy and Vision: Guiding the Board and stakeholders through the development, refinement, and communication of the NRMEDD's long-term strategy.
2. Resource Development & Stewardship: Directly responsible for resource development, contract procurement, and securing public and private grants. This includes all aspects of grant writing, program development, management, reporting, and compliance.
3. External Relations: Serving as the principal external representative, driving high-level community and stakeholder engagement, and fostering a culture of consulting-like service and
relationship building across the region. This includes elected officials, business owners, and other public leaders who all have a stake in economic growth.
4. Executive Execution: Executive Director must possess the technical ability to personally execute demanding tasks, including strategic research, economic analysis, comprehensive budgeting, and professional report writing.
5. Internal Management: Providing direct supervision, mentorship, and support to all NRMEDD staff and contracted employees, maintaining strong Board relations, and collaborating closely with bookkeepers on essential payroll and financial reporting tasks.
An individual's ability to lead by example, not just by delegation, is critical to success in this role. A deep and functional understanding of economic principles, community development, rural development challenges, and local government structures is essential.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience:
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate executive leadership and technical expertise suited to the dual demands of strategy and hands-on execution.
A. Education and Foundational Knowledge
● Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field is required (e.g., Economics, Public Administration, Urban/Regional Planning, or Political Science). A Master's Degree in a related field will be is desirable.
● Economic Acumen: Demonstrated deep understanding of fundamental economic principles, public finance, and the specific challenges and opportunities inherent in rural and regional development.
● Governmental Context: Functional knowledge of local government structures, public sector processes, and relevant federal/state regulatory and funding frameworks (e.g., EDA, USDA Rural Development, CDBG).
B. Professional Experience
● Executive/Management Experience: The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate responsible managementexperience. This experience is ideally gained in a non-profit, economic development, public sector, or consulting environment, but this is not a strict requirement.
● Grant Management: The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate experience in the successful solicitation, writing, reporting, and administration of federal and state grants and contracts.
● Supervisory Experience: Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff, managing contracted employees, and cultivating a high-performing, collaborative team culture.
C. Technical Skills and Competencies
● Strategic Execution: Ability to translate strategic vision into tactical work plans and deliverables.
● Analysis and Writing: Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research, data analysis, and the ability to produce high-quality, professional, and persuasive reports and documents (e.g., Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy).
● Financial Literacy: Competency in non-profit budgeting, financial oversight, fiscal compliance, and working collaboratively with accounting professionals on payroll and financial statements.
● Communication and Engagement: Public speaking, presentation, and written communication skills, with an ability to engage diverse stakeholders (i.e., business leaders, public officials, and community members).
● Software Proficiency: High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace applications (such as Docs and Sheets), and other project management and financial software applications.
Compensation and Benefits
● The starting salary is $85,000
● The position offers a benefits package, including health insurance and flexible time off.
● There are opportunities to increase compensation tied to revenue growth.
Interested applicants should send their resumes and cover letters to wylie@nrmedd.org
Applications are due by End of Day January 15th, 2026.