Be part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field. Border States is 100% employee-owned, which means you’re empowered to make decisions, find solutions and receive rewards for your hard work.
This position will be located in: Fargo, ND
Application Deadline: Posted Until Filled.
Please note that the position may be filled before or after the listed application deadline. Applications will only be accepted while the posting remains active.
Job Summary
The Executive Business Partner provides high-trust executive support, business coordination, and time management for the company’s leaders in roles of Vice President (VP) and/or Senior Vice President (SVP). Operates as a key driver of communication, follow-through, and productivity.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
- Serves as a business partner to one or more VP or SVP-level executives, proactively aligning priorities, driving outcomes, and optimizing decision-making.
- Supports enterprise-level initiatives on behalf of the executive, ensuring alignment with the executive's priorities and goals, working across departments with timely execution.
- Orchestrates executive time and focuses with a strategic lens - filtering, prioritizing, and sequencing engagements based on enterprise impact.
- Coordinates and assists in the planning and execution of cross-functional meetings and follow-ups.
- Prepares materials, presentations, and communications to support executive decision-making to maximize readiness and agility.
- Tracks action items, monitors progress on key initiatives, and supports timely follow-through.
- Anticipates roadblocks and propose solutions - functioning as a trusted advisor with strong business acumen.
- Facilitates communication between the executive and other stakeholders, both internally and externally.
- Demonstrates sound judgment, professionalism, confidentiality, and discretion in navigating complex organizational dynamics.
- Upholds operational excellence and alignment with corporate strategy.
- Supports planning and execution of internal and/or external events or conferences.
- Consistently handles sensitive information with the utmost care, ensuring confidentiality and discretion.
- Seeks opportunities for process improvement and enhanced efficiency within the executive office.
Non-essential Functions
- Coordinates activities such as conferences, trade shows and other industry-specific events.
- Attends and participates in training programs, as required.
- Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or designate.
Qualifications
- Associate degree (or equivalent 2 -year college program) or completion of a specialized technical program.
- 2+ years supporting VP+ level executives or business operations.
- Exceptional judgment, communication, and leadership skills.
- Solid understanding of business processes and how administrative functions relate to the business.
- Possesses an understanding of the company’s role with both customers and vendors.
- Prior success in corporate functions, demonstrated process improvement mindset.
- Previous experience in project management, supply chain, or sales and marketing.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Highly proficient knowledge of and demonstrated expertise in digital applications and Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive, SharePoint).
- SAP experience preferred.
Skills and Abilities
- Ability to speak and write in a sharp, succinct, and positive manner that demonstrates the professional image of the company and the executive/partner relationship.
- Emotionally intelligent collaborator who builds strong partnerships and demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills.
- Operates effectively both independently and in team settings, proactively identifying solutions and driving outcomes.
- Exercises sound judgment, discretion, and tact in handling sensitive information and complex business matters.
- Forward-looking strategic thinker, who anticipates needs, and actively seeks opportunities to improve outcomes.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills to interpret and manage complex operational and business information.
- Adaptable and comfortable with shifting priorities.
- Delivers exceptional internal and external customer service with professionalism, positivity, and accountability.
- Builds and maintains strong relationships and collaborates effectively across all levels of the organization.
- Growth-minded, resourceful, and action-oriented with a commitment to operational excellence.
- A natural leader who can get things done.
Physical Requirements
Frequency at which you would carry/lift in a typical day:
Occasionally 0 – 33% Frequently 34 – 66% Continuously: 67 – 100%
- Lift from Waist:
- < than 10 lbs. - Not at all
- 10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all
- 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all
- 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
- 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
- 100+ lbs. - Not at all
- Lift from Floor:
- < than 10 lbs. - Frequently
- 10 to 25 lbs. - Frequently
- 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally
- 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
- 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
- 100+ lbs. - Not at all
- Carried for Distance:
- < than 10 lbs. - Not at all
- 10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all
- 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all
- 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
- 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
- 100+ lbs. - Not at all
Physical Activity
Frequency at which you would do the following in a typical day:
- Sitting (a continuous period of being seated) - Continuously
- Standing (for sustained periods of time) - Frequently
- Walking (moving about on foot to accomplish tasks) - Frequently
- Bending/stooping (downward and forward) - Occasionally
- Crawling (moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet) - Not at all
- Climbing/Walking Stairs (ascending or descending) - Frequently
- Reaching (extending arms in any direction) - Frequently
- Crouching/squatting (bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine) - Occasionally
- Kneeling (bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee(s)) - Occasionally
- Balancing (maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling) - Occasionally
- Repetitive motion (substantial movement (motions) or the wrists, hands, and/or fingers) - Continuously
- Pivoting (movement in any direction with one foot, keeping the other in contact with the floor) - Occasionally
- Pushing/Pulling (using upper extremities to press against or draw or tug) - Occasionally
- Grasping (Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm) - Continuously
- Fingering (picking, pinching, typing; working with primarily fingers and not whole hand) - Continuously
- Talking (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word) - Frequently
- Driving (the control and operation of a motor vehicle) - Occasionally
- Desk work (work usually performed at a desk) - Continuously
- Use of a computer - Continuously
- Use of a telephone - Frequently
- Hearing (Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels) - Continuously
- Exposure (to adverse weather & temperature conditions) - Not at all
- Travel (travel needed to perform job duties) - Occasionally
Additional Information
This job description is a summary of the job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to cover all possible job duties and is subject to change at the employer’s discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Our History
Border States is a leader in the electrical supply distribution industry with approximately 130 locations in 31 states. Our employee-owners are second to none in delivering top-notch customer service and in demonstrating extra-ordinary people skills. We are one of the largest independent electrical distributors in the United States providing products and services to the construction, industrial and utility industries. Border States has a competitive benefit package and is a 100 percent employee-owned company. Employee-ownership is a significant part of our culture and our success stems from the dedication of our employee-owners. We practice open-book management and our employee-owners are empowered with clearly defined levels of authority to be innovative and decisive, allowing us to respond quickly to the needs of customers. Employee-owners understand their roles in the success of the company and care about customers’ needs, which drives our focus on adding value to everything we do. We recognize that not all customers are the same and each has specific requirements. Our employee-owners understand these diverse needs and have the commitment, resourcefulness and flexibility to outperform all others.
Values As a Border States employee-owner, you’re responsible for living our mission, service philosophy and service standards.
Our Purpose We believe unstoppable businesses shouldn't go it alone. We are owners - of relationships, of outcomes, of every moment these unstoppable businesses need to deliver.
Service Philosophy We earn customer loyalty and confidence by caring about their needs and adding value to everything we do.
Service Standards Border States employee-owners are competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged .
Your career Join an experienced team at one of the largest electrical distributors in the United States. What are you waiting for?
Border States has a competitive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
Health, Dental and Vision Benefits Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
FSA & HSA
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disability Benefits 401(k) Retirement Plan Life Insurance Employee Assistance Program Paid Holidays Paid Volunteer Time Personal Leave time and more! Border States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals.
Equal Opportunity For All
It’s not just the law. It’s something we’ve believed in since our founding. We value the diversity of all of our employee-owners and will always be an equal opportunity employer.
Drug Free/Smoke Free workplace
Employment may be contingent on the offered candidate successfully passing one or more of the following pre-employment screenings:
- Criminal background check (required for all positions)
- Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check (required for positions involving driving)
- Drug testing
The MVR check and drug testing vary by role and will be communicated to the offered candidate during the onboarding process and as applicable.