Director of Research

Company Description

The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) is Southern Nevada's premier economic development organization, dedicated to strengthening the region's economy through strategic business attraction, expansion, and connectivity. For over 60 years, LVGEA has been pivotal in diversifying the economy, fostering high-quality job creation, and enhancing the region's global competitiveness. LVGEA supports new venture launches and global company expansions in Southern Nevada. Guided by a distinguished Board of Directors and a robust network of public and private partners, LVGEA continues to drive strategic growth and opportunity for Southern Nevada.

SALARY RANGE

$70,000 - $85,000

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Research is a critical leadership role responsible for providing data-driven insights, economic analysis, and strategic intelligence to advance the mission of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA). This position oversees all research functions including market analytics, industry trend forecasting, labor market analysis, and economic impact modeling. The Director ensures LVGEA and its stakeholders are equipped with accurate, timely, and actionable intelligence to inform business attraction, retention, and expansion strategies. Reporting directly to the Chief Strategy & Performance Officer, the Director plays a key role in positioning Southern Nevada as a competitive destination for business and talent.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Lead the design, execution, and dissemination of economic, demographic, and workforce research to support regional economic development strategies.
• Manage data collection and reporting systems, including CRM, regional economic dashboards, and industry benchmarks.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of target industries, market competitiveness, and location factors to inform business development efforts.
• Produce high-quality research reports, presentations, and publications for investors, policymakers, site selectors, and business executives.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of community profiles, regional fact sheets, rankings, and other key marketing and intelligence materials.
• Provide regular economic impact assessments, forecasting models, and policy analysis to support organizational decision-making.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external research partners, universities, consultants, and state / federal data providers.
• Ensure research activities align with LVGEA's strategic goals, annual KPIs, and the broader economic development agenda of Southern Nevada.
• Represent LVGEA in public forums, industry conferences, and media interviews as a subject-matter expert on regional economic trends.
• Ensure alignment between LVGEA's strategic vision, economic growth objectives, and regional policy initiatives.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE

Regional & National Economics : Deep understanding of economic indicators, labor markets, and demographic trends.

Research Methodologies : Expertise in statistical analysis, forecasting, and economic modeling techniques.

Data Sources & Tools : Proficiency with federal / state datasets (BLS, BEA, Census, EMSI, Lightcast, JobsEQ, etc.), GIS, and business intelligence software.

Industry Sectors : Familiarity with key drivers of economic growth in technology, logistics, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and renewable energy.

Policy & Incentives : Understanding of state / local policies, incentive programs, and economic competitiveness factors.

SKILLS

Analytical & Quantitative : Ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.

Research Communication : Strong ability to prepare compelling reports, presentations, and visualizations.

Stakeholder Engagement : Proven ability to work with business leaders, policymakers, and community partners to deliver research findings.

Technology & Tools : Advanced proficiency with Excel, Tableau / Power BI, GIS software, and statistical analysis programs.

Project Management : Strong organizational skills to manage multiple research projects and deadlines simultaneously.

ABILITIES

Provide Strategic Insights : Ability to anticipate economic trends and deliver forward-looking analysis.

Lead & Inspire : Ability to manage a research team, mentor staff, and foster collaboration.

Translate Data to Action : Ability to communicate findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Uphold Accuracy & Integrity : Commitment to maintaining high standards of research rigor and objectivity.

QUALIFICATIONS

Educational Background :

Professional Experience :

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment for this role requires working indoors in an environmentally controlled setting, with potential exposure to sounds and noise levels that may be distracting or uncomfortable. Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to other people, requiring frequent collaboration and communication. Essential and marginal functions may necessitate maintaining a physical condition suitable for prolonged periods of walking, standing, and sitting, as well as traveling from site to site for meetings, client visits, or events. Additionally, the role involves use of computers, leading to regular exposure to computer screens for research, data analysis, and reporting tasks.

BENEFITS