Village CEO Job Posting Goes Viral Amid China’s Rural Revitalization Efforts

A job advertisement in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, offering steady employment for “Village CEOs” has recently gone viral, drawing attention to this emerging career as China’s rural areas experience rapid development. The ad, posted by Yuhang District in Hangzhou, seeks to fill six Village CEO positions, promising an annual base salary of approximately $25,023 along with benefits like social insurance and a housing fund. For comparison, the average public sector salary in urban China was $16,680 in 2023.

The ad specifies that applicants should be 40 years old or younger, hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and have at least three years of experience in fields such as business management, investment, or financing. Since the application process began on November 14, over 90 candidates have formally applied, as reported by Yu Huafen, an official with Yuhang’s agriculture and rural affairs bureau. The selection process will include written exams and interviews.

The role of Village CEO is gaining popularity among young professionals in China, as rural areas undergo significant transformation due to national rural revitalization initiatives. As part of this trend, the Village CEO—or “agricultural manager”—has become a viable career option, tasked with overseeing the agricultural and economic development of a village. In 2019, the position was officially recognized as a new profession by China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Bureau of Statistics.

Yuhang District has been at the forefront of the Village CEO program since 2019. Yu Huafen noted that the goal is to attract young talent and implement modern corporate management techniques to drive village economies forward. To date, Yuhang has employed 34 Village CEOs with an average age of 36. These individuals have collectively facilitated 122 projects, attracted roughly $41 million in investments, and generated over $13 million in local revenue.

Liu Song, originally from Anhui Province, is one example of a Village CEO making a significant impact. Since 2020, he has worked in Yong’an Village, Yuhang. Liu, who holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Zhejiang University and has prior experience with three listed companies and entrepreneurial ventures, brought both determination and expertise to his role.

Yong’an Village, covering 2.7 square miles with 97% of the land designated as permanent farmland, has historically faced developmental challenges due to limited funds, a shortage of skilled professionals, and restricted business opportunities. Liu sought to overcome these obstacles by integrating the agricultural, industrial, and service sectors to stimulate the local economy and boost competitiveness.

In 2022, Liu established a family farm cooperative, cultivating over 86.67 hectares of rice. By September 2024, he launched a rice processing facility that produces rice wine, which is marketed through e-commerce. In just two months, more than 6,000 orders for rice wine were fulfilled. As a result of these efforts, Yong’an Village, home to 3,100 residents, saw an average annual income of $8,171 per capita in 2023. Liu’s total income last year reached about $41,450, including bonuses and performance-based incentives.

Liu’s achievements are part of a broader movement involving Village CEOs dedicated to revitalizing rural regions throughout China. By the end of 2023, the Village CEO recruitment and training program had expanded to 125 counties, cities, and districts across provinces like Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Yunnan.

Li Xiaoyun, a chair professor at China Agricultural University, commented on the program’s significance. He noted that economic and social changes have redefined the relationship between urban and rural areas, bringing a renewed focus on the countryside’s potential. According to Li, the Village CEO initiative helps bridge knowledge and management gaps in rural communities, playing a vital role in China’s contemporary rural development.

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