ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - 76977

Executive Service

Who we are and what we do:

The Business Development Division works with Tennessee producers and agricultural/forestry businesses to build rural economies and increase farm and forest derived income. Development activities provide diverse growth opportunities, including industry and producer-focused incentives, as well as promotions that reach consumers and the non-farming public through a variety of methods.

How you make a difference in this role:

The Business Development Team works to attract new industry partners, as well as the expansion of existing agricultural and forestry businesses. Our team partners with agencies ranging from statewide producer associations to local governments and regional retail chains. The Business Development Team has longstanding relationships with Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, USDA Rural Development, Tennessee Valley Authority, University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, UT/TSU Extension, and national and international trade associations like the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA), U.S. Livestock Genetics Exports (USLGE) and Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

Key Responsibilities:

1. The Assistant Commissioner for Business Development leads the team responsible for advancing the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's business development activities and setting the vision for how the department's programs support farmers, agribusinesses, forest landowners, and rural communities across the state.
2. Provide clear direction, possess creativity & vision, and oversee a varied workload effectively.
3. This role provides leadership, oversight, and vision for the division's major programs and initiatives, including TAEP, the Agricultural Enterprise Fund, AgTrack, international marketing, Pick Tennessee Products, Tennessee wood products, specialty crop block grants, and agricultural fairs.
4. Responsible for leading the team that carries out these efforts, strengthening performance, ensuring accountability, and identifying opportunities to improve and evolve programs over time to meet the changing needs of Tennessee agriculture and forestry.
5. Leads the division's work to expand opportunities for agricultural and forestry businesses through market development, business recruitment, industry expansion, and strategic partnerships.
6. Brings vision, creativity, and strong judgment to the role. They should recognize emerging opportunities, encourage innovation, help shape efforts that increase farm income, and support rural economic growth.
7. This position requires a strong leader with a collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively with a team of driven individuals.
8. A successful candidate will be expected to lead and develop staff, build productive partnerships, communicate clearly, and represent the department with credibility and professionalism.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.