The EVP Business Development will provide strategic leadership and direction to the AgCountry Business Development teams including Retail Lending, Retail and Commercial Insurance and Business Services. Provide strategic direction and leadership for Legislative and Public Affairs Activities across the Associations including appropriate coordination and communication with the Boards of Directors and the Collaborating Associations’ leadership team.

Ensure effective coordination of go-to-market strategies across the Associations through effective collaboration and coordination with other members of the Strategic Business Development Team. Ensure alignment and support through product advocacy for AgDirect, crop insurance programs, and Rural 1st. Participate as a member of the Strategic Business Development Team in providing strategy and design to improve delivery channels, identify product and process enhancements that support a customer sales and service orientation.

Located in North Dakota, Minnesota or Wisconsin the EVP Business Development will serve as the primary strategic point of local contact for key initiatives and activities within the AgCountry marketplace. Implement policies established by the Board of Directors. Keep the Associations’ leadership team and Boards informed on significant challenges, opportunities, and results. Support the strategic priorities set by the Associations. Serve as ELT participant for the Collaboration District Farm Credit Council (DFCC) meetings.

This position reports to the President & CEO and serves as a member of the Associations’ Executive Leadership Team.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Executive Leadership and Direction:

• Provide strategic leadership to company as member of Executive Leadership Team.
• Provide leadership to Board of Directors in technical areas of responsibility.

Business Development:

• Owner and leader of go-to-market strategies and development for AgCountry Retail Lending, Retail Insurance and Business Services customer market segments. Create a shared and consistent vision for the AgCountry Retail division that aligns with and contributes to the fulfilling of the Associations’ vision.
• Be present and active in the AgCountry marketplace, including local public events and local public relations activities, customer facing events, agricultural events (trade shows, conferences, etc.), universities, and local media.
• Provide strategic leadership, communication and coordination across the Associations’ business development teams through active membership in the Strategic Business Development Team.
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with other Farm Credit System lenders.
• Actively involved in assessing and changing marketplace delivery models to ensure that the Associations’ objectives are met.
• Provide leadership, direction and counsel to the delivery of the Associations’ credit philosophy. Overall leadership for portfolio balance of growth, profitability and credit quality.

Legislative Affairs:

• Provide strategic and division leadership of State and Federal legislative and public affairs across the Collaborating Associations.
• Ensure that the Associations are well positioned to be an advocate for our customers/agriculture, our Collaborating Associations’ interests, and the Farm Credit System.
• Responsible for relationships with key national and regional legislators, elected and appointed State policymakers and major commodity groups.
• Drive exceptional internal communications with a focus on high level engagement across the Associations’ leadership team with regards to legislative activities.

Leadership Duties

• Share leadership with team members by empowering them to make decisions. This includes allowing them to take initiative, providing access to information and resources and holding them accountable. Encourage team members to act autonomously and to contribute ideas and solutions.
• Provide team leadership, shared vision, and positive communications to achieve the Associations’ vision and strategy consistent with the Associations’ core values and team principles. Build strong relationships and collaborative partnerships within the Associations to understand the business opportunities and challenges.
• Establish a positive, participative, and collaborative team environment that inspires creative, high-performing, continuous learning, and engaged team members. Utilize consensus decision-making, when appropriate, to diversify thinking and enable and empower teammates. Responsible for attracting, selecting, and on-boarding a diverse and qualified team and determining the appropriate team resource requirements to meet the Associations’ strategic direction.
• Develop team members through coaching, training and development, opportunities, and on-going performance feedback including timely follow-up on individual development plans; counsel team members on Talent Management activities.
• Complete and/or recommend salary administration for team members in accordance with Association procedures.
• Develop and monitor the business plan and annual operating budgets related to areas of responsibilities. Review and approve operational expenditures within delegated authority.

Senior Leadership

• Provide visionary thinking and develop strategies to reach Associations short-term and long-term goals.
• Ensure initiatives are implemented and adhered to Associations strategic goals.
• Responsible for overall business planning and approval of business unit budgets.
• Proactively collaborate and communicate with all stakeholders across multiple business units.
• Serve as a Senior Leader representing the organization and senior leadership with internal and external audiences including providing cross-operational strategic input and direction.
• Support and lead the execution of organizational change management processes

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Agricultural Economics, Animal Science or closely related field or equivalent experience required.

Years of Experience

• 12+ years’ experience with progressively increasing responsibility in Agricultural Finance or related area.