The Land-of-Sky Regional Council (LOSRC) headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, seeks an Executive Director.

The LOSRC is a multi-county, local government planning and development organization. It is one of 16 such organizations serving the state and serves the region consisting of the western North Carolina counties of Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania. The region includes urban, suburban, exurban, and rural communities. The LOSRC serves as the region’s official economic development district for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). It also houses the urban and regional transportation planning staff for the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (FBRMPO) and the Land-of-Sky Rural Planning Organization (LOSRPO). LOSRC serves as the region’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and the regional Workforce Development Board.

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall supervision and management of the LOSRC. This position exemplifies the support and guidance the agency provides within the region and directly to the LOSRC Board members and to its local governments. The Executive Director provides oversight of the agency’s day-to-day activities and leadership to LOSRC staff in order to meet the goals and objectives as established by the LOSRC Board on behalf the region’s local governments. The Executive Director is appointed by and accountable to the Board of Directors, and serves at the will of the Board of Directors.

The ideal candidate for the position will have superior communication skills, both written and oral. He or she will have a record of success in interacting with diverse groups, and be a great listener. The ideal candidate will show a record of being able to make tough decisions, acceptance of responsibility for his or her actions, and a willingness to change course when needed for the best of the LOSRC and region. It is very important that the ideal candidate has a clear understanding and savvy for local, regional, and state politics. It is highly desirable that the successful candidate shows experience in complex budgeting, finance matters, and administration and have worked in a regional organization representing very diverse communities, however defined. It is also advantageous for the candidate to show an understanding and a vision for working within a regional community.

It is preferred that the candidate hold a Master’s degree in public or business administration, urban and regional planning, or related fields with at least five (5) years’ documented history of increased responsibility and leadership in the public, private, or non-profit area of community economic or human service development. Minimum requirements for the position are a bachelor’s degree and 10 years’ experience as outlined above.

The minimum starting salary for the position is $100,000 and is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

Interested individuals should send a letter of interest, resume, and four references to The LOSRC Executive Search Committee, c/o of the Land-of-Sky Regional Council; 339 New Leicester Highway, Suite 140; Asheville, NC 28806 or electronically to danna@landofsky.org, by no later than 5 PM on May 17, 2013. Electronic submission is preferred.

Land-of-Sky Regional Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer