Special Advisor to the CEO

EDA Overview

Join the NJEDA and help lead New Jersey to sustainable economic growth, fostering equitable opportunities and vibrant communities. We offer hybrid work, a supportive culture, and robust benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and extensive wellness programs. Make a tangible impact and shape New Jersey's future with innovative economic development at NJEDA.

About the Role

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) seeks an exceptional Special Advisor (SA) to the CEO to lead an exciting organizational evolution that will position this vital agency for even greater impact. With a strong foundation of 400 talented professionals and deep expertise in economic development, the NJEDA is ready to optimize its structure and strengthen its culture to deliver exceptional service to New Jersey's businesses, investors, and communities.

Reporting directly to the CEO, and in coordination with the Deputy CEO, the SA will assess organizational strengths and opportunities to design and implement enhancements that leverage the NJEDA's considerable assets and capabilities while building an even more cohesive, effective, and mission-driven team.

The Opportunity

The NJEDA brings substantial expertise and a proven track record in economic development. Now, with new leadership committed to organizational excellence, we have a unique opportunity to:

• • Refine our organizational structure to maximize the talents of our accomplished team
  • Streamline leadership architecture to enhance clarity, agility, and decision-making
  • Strengthen our already strong technical capabilities with improved internal collaboration and culture
  • Position the NJEDA as a best-in-class model for effective economic development agencies
  • Align resources and maximize public investments to achieve NJEDA's mission

This role offers the rare chance to shape the future of an organization that plays a critical role in New Jersey's economic prosperity, working with dedicated professionals who are committed to serving the state.

$140,400 - $175,500

Note: The NJEDA currently offers a hybrid work schedule for up to 2 days of telecommute work from home. To participate, you will be required to have high speed home internet access and a managers approval. This program does not supersede the "New Jersey First Act", which requires newly hired NJEDA employees to establish and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.

Organizational Assessment & Strategic Enhancement

• Evaluate current organizational structure, identifying strengths to build upon and opportunities for improvement
• Analyze team dynamics and cultural assets, while uncovering areas where we can become even more effective
• Assess how well our design aligns with our mission of exceptional stakeholder service
• Develop strategic recommendations that leverage our existing capabilities while addressing gaps

Organizational Optimization & Implementation

• Design an evolved organizational architecture that clarifies roles, empowers decision-making, and accelerates our impact
• Create an implementation roadmap that builds on our strengths while introducing necessary improvements
• Lead an inclusive change management process that engages team members as partners in evolution
• Make thoughtful, mission-focused recommendations regarding organizational structure, including role clarifications and potential new positions that enhance our capabilities

Culture Strengthening & Team Engagement

• Build genuine partnerships across all levels of the organization, learning from the expertise of our talented team
• Foster open dialogue about how we can work together even more effectively
• Identify and empower internal leaders who will champion our organizational evolution
• Navigate state government dynamics while maintaining momentum for positive change
• Develop groundwork/plan for the successful introduction/rollout of the new org structure to internal staff and external stakeholders.

Strategic Partnership with CEO and Deputy CEO

• Serve as trusted thought partner to the CEO and Deputy CEO on organizational effectiveness and team development
• Provide ongoing counsel to maximize team potential and strengthen organizational culture
• Balance multiple priorities: stakeholder excellence, team member growth, fiscal stewardship, and operational realities
• Function as internal strategic consultant focused on sustainable, strategic implementation

Essential Experience:

• 10+ years of professional experience with demonstrated expertise in organizational development, change management, or management consulting
• Deep understanding of economic development, relevant programs, and stakeholder needs
• Proven track record enabling organizational transformations in complex institutions (government agencies, large nonprofits, or similarly matrixed organizations preferred)
• Significant experience working within or closely with state government, with appreciation for both opportunities and constraints of the public sector

Critical Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to diagnose organizational dynamics, analyze opportunities, and design solutions that build on existing strengths
• Relationship Building: Exceptional capacity to connect with diverse team members, earn trust, and foster collaboration
• Constructive Judgment: Comfort making recommendations that serve the organization's mission, even when they require difficult decisions and changes in historical practices and processes, as well as having the discernment to know what to elevate to the CEO and Deputy CEO.
• Change Leadership: Proven ability to guide transformation while honoring what's working and building enthusiasm for what's next
• Organizational Savvy: Understanding of how to advance meaningful change within government while working collaboratively with stakeholders

Additional Qualifications:

• Experience with organizations of 250+ employees
• Background in organizational development, talent optimization, or related fields
• Familiarity with New Jersey's business landscape and economic development priorities
• Consulting experience (internal or external) with emphasis on implementation

Personal Characteristics

The successful candidate will embody:

• Integrity and Discretion:  Uphold confidentiality and trustworthiness when handling sensitive organizational matters and information
• Constructive Candor: Willingness to share honest assessments while maintaining respect for all stakeholders
• Genuine Appreciation: Ability to recognize and honor existing organizational strengths while identifying/pursuing opportunities for growth
• Pragmatic Optimism: Skill in balancing aspirational goals with realistic implementation pathways
• Adaptability: Capacity to adjust approaches based on what is learned from the talented NJEDA team
• Collaborative Spirit: Commitment to working with people, not around them, to achieve shared goals

What Success Looks Like

Within 12-18 months, the SA will have:

• Completed comprehensive organizational assessment that celebrates strengths and identifies growth opportunities
• Implemented organizational enhancements that amplify the NJEDA's capabilities and impact
• Measurably strengthened team culture indicators, including engagement, clarity, and collaboration
• Enhanced the NJEDA's already strong service delivery to key stakeholder groups
• Developed internal leadership capacity that ensures continued organizational excellence
• Managed organizational transitions with professionalism, transparency, and care for all involved

Additional Information

• Minimal physical demands and ability to work out normal business hours
• Travel expected when necessary for business operations

Certificates and Licenses Required

• Staff are required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job description. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope, general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job.  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Your employment at NJEDA is voluntary and subject to termination by you or NJEDA at will, with or without cause, or with or without notice, at any time.  Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to conflict, eliminate or modify the employment-at-will status of NJEDA employees. 

This position is considered exempt and is excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers under the FLSA.

NJEDA reserves the right to amend/revise this job description as necessary to meet current and changing business needs.

NJ SAME Program

 In accordance with P.L. 2021, c. 465 and P.L. 2021, 466, the SAME program was established to enable New Jersey State agencies to hire, promote, retain, and advance qualified individuals whose physical or mental impairments impact their abilities to participate in the hiring and promotion process for non-competitive and unclassified titles within the State workforce.

The SAME program allows candidates, who identify as having a significant disability, to apply for non-competitive and unclassified positions through a fast track hiring process. This program uses a fast-track process that permits people who are eligible for the program to request that the State appointing authority schedule with them a good faith interview. For more information about the SAME program and the Fast Track Hiring program, please Click Here.  If you have any questions, please email, or call the contact as indicated on the job vacancy announcement.

This posting open to eligible applicants regardless of SAME eligibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Position Requirements

• Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a reputable evaluation service at your own expense and must be submitted prior to a start date. If this cannot be provided within 21 days of an offer the offer will be rescinded.
• Must comply with the “New Jersey First Act” which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011, to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources.
• Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.
• Must review the required NJ State Ethics Guidelines found on the state website.
• Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States per the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. Note: The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorship for citizenship to the United States.