Dir. of Aviation - Aerospace Industry Development

The Kansas Department of Commerce is seeking a Director of Aviation and Aerospace Industry Development to advance the state's aviation and aerospace industry by attracting new investments, fostering partnerships, and driving innovation in the sector. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5-7 years of experience in aviation and/or aerospace business development, economic development, site selection, or corporate strategy. The contract term will be from the date of full execution through March 31, 2028, with the option to renew for two additional 12-month periods. The contractor will be required to provide a comprehensive statewide aviation and aerospace business attraction strategy, tailored proposals and incentive packages for aviation and aerospace companies, and post-event reports for trade shows, conferences, and stakeholder meetings attended. Key responsibilities will include leading or supporting cross-agency, high-stakes recruitment projects, translating complex technical data into actionable business attraction strategies, and maintaining a strong network in aerospace trade associations and economic development forums. • The Director will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive business attraction strategy for the aviation and aerospace industry in Kansas. • The Director will work closely with state and local partners, including utility providers and workforce agencies, to attract new investments and foster partnerships in the industry. • The Director will be required to travel to Kansas for site visits and in-region business travel, with reimbursement at current state rates. • The Director will be responsible for tracking all activities in the Department of Commerce Salesforce database, including contacts made with site selection consultants and businesses, projects worked, events hosted or attended, and other assignments.