Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager

Reports to: Assistant City Manager- Community and Economic Development

Department: Community & Economic Development

Work Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday.  Must be available for events outside of traditional work hours, to include weekends, evenings, and holidays as job duties demand.

Salary: $58,968 - $71,822 DOQ

 Purpose of Work:

The Business Development Manager will manage business development initiatives and programs within the City of Decatur’s Community and Economic Development Department (CED). This position is responsible for the development and implementation of the City’s vision and goals related to supporting local businesses and fostering economic growth in the City of Decatur. Will also serve as a City liaison to the Decatur Business Association and regularly engages local retail and restaurant business owners as well as assists on local and regional economic planning efforts.

Opportunities and Challenges:

The new Business Development Manager will focus on the following tasks in the first year:

• Create a Decatur rewards program to include joint marketing, branded gift cards for participating businesses, and reward points to support local businesses.
• Develop a vacant commercial space inventory and a tenanting strategy for vacant storefronts by sub-district.
• Promote and streamline the process for establishing pop-up and temporary uses for vacant storefronts.
• Research and recommend enforcement programs and policies for long-term vacant storefront space.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Program Implementation

• Implements the City’s economic growth initiatives as outlined in the Decatur 2030 Strategic Plan and the Decatur Town Center Plan 2.0.
• Develops and implements a business recruitment strategy based on trends, data-driven insights and community vision.
• Administers the semi-annual business grant programs related to façade improvements, commercial buildouts, and business marketing.
• Administers the mobile food facility (food cart) program.

Business Support and Communication

• Encourages business retention through marketing and promotions, and help businesses thrive and expand their offerings.
• Leads quarterly meetings of the local retail and restaurant establishments, and engages personally with business owners to discuss needs and concerns.
• Fosters effective communication channels between agencies, financial institutions, and grant providers in support local businesses. 
• Facilitates education for local business owners on available services and resources and on new initiatives related to business needs and concerns. 
• Serves as staff contact for existing and prospective businesses to assist with permitting and licensing, as needed. 

Administration & Inter-Agency Coordination

• Serves as secondary staff to the Downtown Development Authority to assist in meeting operations, agenda packet preparation, summaries and minutes. 
• Serves as a staff liaison to the Decatur Business Association.
• Drafts and issues letters, memos, and reports, and delivers professional presentations and recommendations at public meetings, as needed.
• Manages relevant City website pages related to economic development activities to ensure that information is up to date and is a valuable tool to the business community.
• Performs any other daily duties as may be required to accomplish Department goals and objectives as assigned by the Assistant City Manager.

Qualifications:

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. There is a minimum six-months probationary period upon hiring. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. A written or oral test may be administered during the interview process. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Knowledge of general planning principles and concepts, including the National Main Street program.
• Ability to comprehend and make inferences from rules, regulations, and ordinances and apply them to issue decisions and make recommendations on policy proposals.
• Ability to understand organizational implications of decisions.
• Ability to work with business owners from all economic, cultural, and diverse backgrounds.
• Project management skills.
• Technical data analytical skills with the ability to interpret data to tell a story through written reports.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, especially in problem solving.
• Independent judgment and discretion in setting priorities and maintaining standards.
• Aptitude and ability to utilize computer resources required by the City including word processing, web-based platforms, spreadsheets, and databases.

Supervisory:

• Manage and participate in the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for division.
• Continuously review operational procedures and evaluate work performance to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services and activities. 
• Participate in the development and administration of assigned budgets.
• Recruit, train, develop and supervise interns and volunteers as needed.

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions:

• Must be able to sit, walk, and stand for long periods.
• Must be able to sit for long periods at a keyboard or work station.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and/or pull objects and materials of heavy weight (50 lbs.).
• Have the ability to walk and stand in an outdoor setting, which may include exposure to weather conditions, such as heat or cold, as well as dust, pollen and allergens. 
• Some tasks require visual and sound perception and discrimination and oral communications ability. 
• Must be able to drive and operate vehicles and equipment in a safe and efficient manner.   

Education and/or Experience: 
A Bachelor’s degree with major course work in business administration and management, finance, business economics, consumer economics, business/commerce, statistics, or a related field AND minimum two years of full-time experience in the economic development field.

Any combination of education and experience to provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered. 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Possess a valid Georgia driver’s license (Class C) or the ability to obtain one within 90 days of employment (or a military waiver).
• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential desired. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. This position is exempt from overtime pay. The days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; some weekends, evenings, and holidays will be required as job duties demand.  

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYEE

The City of Decatur is committed to having a workforce that reflects diversity at all levels and is an equal opportunity employer. Therefore, qualified applicants are considered for employment, and employees are treated during employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, familial status, or veteran/military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.