Economic Development Manager

Dale Wong
604 Harmony Lane
Pleasantville, CA 94588
(925) 555-1234

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER • EXECUTIVE OFFICER – INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
STRATEGIC PLANNING • PROJECT MANAGEMENT • CHANGE MANAGEMENT • FACILITATION

Seasoned economic manager, business advisor, and change agent. Acknowledged for pioneering efforts in strategically positioning business for growth by securing government funding, developing strong policy, and analyzing existing markets. Expert facilitator, people manager, and communicator. Personal center of influence boasts network of accomplished leaders and innovators across diverse business cultures.

Professional strengths include:
• Strategic Economic Development
• Project Management
• Human Resources Management
• Policy Development
• Budget Administration
• Service Delivery Optimization
• Business Network
• Project Fundraising
• Resource Allocations
• Marketing
• Staff Training/Development
• Operations Management
• Business Development
• Feasibility Analyses
• Corporate Planning
• Change Management
• Business Process Reengineering

Technology: Microsoft Office 2000, Windows XP Pro, Internet, email (MS Exchange).

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Graduate Certificate in Management
Graduate School of Business, University of Adelaide
(anticipated 2004)

Professional Certificate in Management
Graduate School of Management, University of Adelaide (2001)

Bachelor of Economics (deferred)
Flinders University of South Australia, School of Social Sciences

Training: Hundreds of hours devoted to professional development via in-house training,
conferences, and workshops

ADELAIDE CITY COUNCIL
1996–Present
Team Leader Economic Development
2001–Present
Economic Development Coordinator
1996–2001

DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION & TRAINING (DEET)
1992–1996
Account Manager, Employer Servicing Unit/Fleurieu Region
1996
Employment Development Officer/Executive Officer
SA South Central Regional Consultative Group Inc.
1995–1996
Regional Trainer, Fleurieu Region
1995
Manager, Fleurieu Industry Service Center
1994–1995
Assistant Manager, Noarlunga Job Center
1994
Account Manager, Fleurieu Region
1993–1994
Manager/Assistant Manager, Noarlunga Job Center, Christies Beach Special Service Center, Fleurieu Industry Service Center
1992–1993
State Training Manager
1992

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT
1990–1992
Manager

DEET/AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE
1989–1992
Training Officer

CITY OF MUNNO PARA
1987–1988
Economic/Employment Development Officer

LABOR ECONOMICS BRANCH
1984–1989
Project Officer

EXPERIENCE CHRONICLE

ADELAIDE CITY COUNCIL
1996–Present
Team Leader Economic Development
2001–Present
Economic Development Coordinator
1996–2001

Team Leader Economic Development
A corporate restructure transitioned staff to limited short-term contracts, prompting a swift decline in morale, and the need for greater internal structure, formalized procedures, and streamlined operations.
· Restored optimism by devising a team management plan designed to re-establish individual and team goals. Scrutinized and amended position descriptions, resurrected regular one-on-one and team meetings, and spearheaded monthly “issues” meetings where conflicts and problems could be aired and resolved.
· Integrated risk management protocols into the business planning process so that decision-making was well-conceived and analyzed—a strategy that counteracted the significant human resource shortage.
· Elevated the profile of transparent communications by reinforcing the importance of cooperation throughout all business units.
· Won Council acceptance for set of revised guidelines underscoring the Local Area Development Program.
· Secured external funding for the Access for Youth employment initiative that surpassed participation and job placement targets by up to 150%.
· Produced retail summit and retail action plan winning Council endorsement, and developed submissions to the State Government review of the Department of Business Manufacturing and Trade to provide services to small business in the City.

Economic Development Coordinator
· Headed task force in collaboration with a business consultant to formulate Council’s economic development strategy. Built a successful case, winning significant budget commitments from Council.
· Managed joint state/Council “City Centre Vital Fund”—an initiative designed to offer cash grants to encourage businesses to settle in the city. Established model for assessing applications used by a panel of representatives from private and public sectors, and local/state government. Results were impressive with increases in employment estimated at 90% from 50 businesses approved for assistance.
· Launched a series of improvements to the existing Local Area Development program. Introduced an economic focus, established an application process for awarding grants, and developed a contractual agreement to govern grants awarded.
· Collaboratively assessed the potential for establishing an export incubator.
· Developed and established the Adelaide City Business “business incubator.”
· Prepared the International Relations Policy for Council.
· Collaborated with business organizations to develop an education industry cluster.

DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION & TRAINING (DEET)
1992–1996
Account Manager, Employer Servicing Unit/Fleurieu Region
1996
Brought role of account manager to fruition stemming from needs assessment study in 1993/94 that determined the viability of servicing active players in the local labor market; provided a single point of contact for business advice and freed the flow of information offering opportunities to match business needs with a range of available government services and program initiatives.

Employment Development Officer/Executive Officer
SA South Central Regional Consultative Group Inc.
1995–1996
Drafted the constitution, arranged incorporation, and prepared the draft regional economic development strategy that secured Commonwealth administrative funding of $240K over 3-years, for this combined Area Consultative Committee (ACC) and Regional Development Organization (RDO). As an environmentally sensitive area, initial projects focused on water resource sustainability.
· Instrumental in application lodgment process; secured $500K extra funding from the Commonwealth.
· Spearheaded Jobs Drive campaign accomplishing 132% of target in 1995/96. Campaign focused on wooing lucrative business input via promotional/marketing tactics and community activities.
· Built and sustained a responsive, balanced group of people to form committee.

Regional Trainer, Fleurieu Region
1995
Established training processes, analyzed staff training needs, and delivered a series of programs to promote multiskilling for increased productivity and motivation. Maintained all confidential training records, and developed a strategic plan to roll out and continually refine the region’s training plan.

Manager, Fleurieu Industry Service Center
1994–1995
Controlled budget for the region’s labor market programs, assessed training course proposals from local providers, influenced the training reform agenda, and reviewed jobseeker and employee-appeal processes. Worked in close liaison with State Regional Development Boards to target labor market programs towards economic development priorities.
· Planned and implemented the Department’s “Service and Structure Review.” Analyzed accommodation and site layout issues including data and power cabling, office furniture and equipment, and staff reallocations.

Assistant Manager, Noarlunga Job Center
1994
Presided over daily operations, prioritized workflows, and supervised staff. Approved applications for available program assistance, and case-managed complex jobseeker/employer issues.

Account Manager, Fleurieu Region
1993–1994
Primary contact for businesses accessing government services and assistance. Delivered 20% increase in business outcomes over previous 12-months, successfully trialing the electronic database “Businesslink.”

Manager/Assistant Manager, Noarlunga Job Center, Christies Beach Special Service Center, Fleurieu Industry Service Center
1992–1993
Promoted from Assistant Manager to Manager, overseeing financial management, productivity, and goals.

State Training Manager
1992
Managed and delivered staff training to over 1000 employees, focusing on productivity enhancements, and middle-management development. Pioneered the national pilot of the department’s management information system for training and development–later adopted nationally.

PRIOR EMPLOYMENT

· Manager, South Australian Management Development (1990–1992). Instrumental in increasing annual turnovers from $110K to $400K.
· Training Officer – DEET/Australian Taxation Office (1989–1992). Designed, developed and delivered staff training including change management programs, industrial democracy, and participative management. Concurrently served as EEO and Sexual Harassment Contact Officer with the ATO.
· Economic/Employment Development Officer, City of Munno Para (1987–1988). Prepared strategic plan for the region subsequent to comprehensive examination of the local economy, industry base and labor market. Report was later adopted by Council as part of the city’s corporate plan.
· Project Officer, Labor Economics Branch (1984–1989). Communicated with employers, training providers, industry associations, and employee organizations as part of an in-depth investigation into the labor markets, industries, and skilled occupations. Prepared policy advice reports outlining recommendations for future training and labor market programs.

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIPS

Australian Business Economists
Australian Human Resources Institute
Institute of Public Administration Australia

Life Member, Woodville High School Old Scholars Association
Past Management Committee Member & Treasurer, Eastern Enterprise Development Agency
PRWRA
Gayle M. Howard -getinterviews@topmargin.com - Top Margin - http://www.topmargin.com