Economic Development, Business Retention Specialist

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary $61,744 - $97,414 + excellent benefits

JOB PURPOSE

The Economic Development, Business Retention Specialist assists in the creation and administration of economic development programs as funded by the Economic Development Retail Sales Tax Fund (EDRST). This position will assist in the creation and implementation of Business Retention and Expansion Program, promoting and marketing the city as a place to do business, and assist in implementing strategies to attract and recruit businesses to the city. A significant amount of time is spent in the field carrying out principal responsibilities.

The Business Retention Specialist works under the supervision of the Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development and will assist with the Loop Special Business District and Economic Development Retail Sales Tax Board as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - EXAMPLES OF WORK

• Assist with the creation and administration of economic development programs and serves as primary contact regarding economic development programs, process and review all economic development program applications
• Assists with the attraction and retention of businesses to the city
• Assists with the implementation of the city's Economic Development Strategy, including the creation and implementation of a Business Retention and Expansion Program
• Familiarize public officials, retailers, community groups, the general public and others with the nature and orientation of this effort.
• Develops and maintains a cooperative working relationship with existing businesses, develop and maintain contacts with landowners, developers, site consultants, realtors, entrepreneurs, private industry representatives, and economic development related organizations and agencies
• Coordinates a wide range of projects, from supervising promotional activities to assembling market information.
• Examples of projects may include: developing a shop local plan, managing grant programs, managing the façade replacement program, developing a jobs training program
• Serves as an authority on information, resources and programs related to operating a business in the city and acts as a data and information source for current and prospective businesses
• Engage and interface with the International District Businesses to build relationships and promote better understanding of their business needs and plans
• Prepares updates to community demographic information and maintains current data regarding the community on the economic development page of the city's website
• Assist with the Loop Special Business District (LSBD) and Economic Development Retail Sales Tax Board (EDRSTB)
• Other duties as directed by the Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development
• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of short and long range plans and policies related to economic development activities.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Economic Development Retail Sales Tax Board and other boards/commissions as assigned. Provide staff support to this and other boards.
• Attend occasional evening meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong written, oral, and organizational skills are required and include external communications such as newsletters, press releases, web copy, grant applications, etc.
• Must demonstrate strong community engagement/outreach skills and experience
• High level of technical ability with strong working knowledge of computer software programs such as desktop publishing, graphic design, website administration, and Microsoft office suite
• Knowledge or principles and practices of economic development, redevelopment and reuse, business retention and recruitment programs, and marketing and advertising
• Experience with event planning and organizational/membership/community meetings
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local economic development tools available (i.e. brownfields, tax increment financing, historic tax credits)
• Ability to produce quality materials and assigned responsibilities with competing demands, changing priorities, and required timelines and work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the public, and gain the trust and cooperation of others to effectively communicate concepts and ideas
• Strong organizational, analytical, research, evaluation and problem-solving skills
• Ability to exercise a high degree of sound, independent judgment and work within established guidelines
• Ability to attend evening or weekend meetings as required

PHYSICAL/VISUAL ACTIVITIES OR DEMANDS

• Sitting, talking, hearing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending
• Concentrated mental and visual attention with normal hand-eye coordination
• Clarity of vision at 20 inches-corrected or uncorrected
• Occasional moving/lifting of items up to 30 lbs

EQUIPMENT USED TO PERFORM JOB

Telephone, computers, cameras, copy machine, fax, printers, scanner

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Urban Planning or related field. Master's Degree preferred. Minimum 3 years related experience and/or training in economic development, downtown development, or industrial and commercial real estate development.