Assistant to the Director/Business Retention and Expansion Specialist

City of Beachwood

General Purpose for Job:

To perform retention and expansion visitations with Beachwood companies as instructed by the Director. To build and maintain a comprehensive database of companies and to use this database as a visitation record. To market the City of Beachwood and provide professional support to the Director and assist the Department with general economic development activities.

Department Director:

Economic Development Director/Building Commissioner

DUTIES:

(The duties listed below are illustrative of the work performed by this classification. All duties are essential functions of the job unless otherwise noted with an asterisk. The percentage of time allocated to each group of duties is approximate.)

Business Retention and Expansion 75%

With the support of the Development Department, compile current business database and, working with the Mayor and Director, prioritize the business visitation schedule.
To perform consistent, ongoing business and retention visitations to existing Beachwood companies.
Meet with existing businesses within the City, and work toward maintaining and expanding their operations.
Gather strategic information from existing Beachwood companies and provide current reports to the Director and the Mayor about the activities and plans of the companies.
Create, update and maintain business databases.
Oversee business retention and expansion activities of Beachwood companies.
Serve to enhance business opportunities for local business; attract and encourage new business; offer specialized programs; inform Beachwood companies about all available resources including federal, state, county and local funds, grants and programs.
Suggest, implement and maintain programs designed to address economic development issues.
Prepare grant proposals for federal, state, and county assistance programs in the area of economic development with particular emphasis on business retention and expansion programs.
Serve as City liaison with businesses located within the City, and businesses seeking to relocate to the City, in addition to being liaison with the Beachwood Chamber of Commerce and other professional organizations and governmental agencies.
Monitor existing Beachwood businesses and assist in resolving any issues over which the City has control or may provide assistance.
Interface with business development entities and merchant associations for purposes of encouraging new and increased business development within the City.
Assist companies as needed with relocation issues.
Assist the Director as needed with general economic development outreach activities.

Additional Economic Development Duties 25%

Coordinate projects.
Responsible for confidential and time sensitive materials
Prepare reports as directed.
Assist with the creation of a variety of Department publications such as newsletters, brochures, and more.
Attend city meetings, economic development committee meetings and other functions as necessary.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related field preferred.

Experience: Minimum two years’ experience working in economic development environment; experience with business retention and expansion outreach preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Department and City policies and operating procedures
General business practices
Meeting protocol
Computer and internet
Correct use of grammar, punctuation and spelling
Basic arithmetic and bookkeeping
Communicate effectively with others both verbally and in writing

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, co-workers and general public
Plan, schedule and organize multiple activities
Organize work in a logical manner
Work on multiple tasks simultaneously
Compose routine and complex correspondence
Produce reports accurately
Follow departmental or operational procedures and practices
Maintain confidentiality

License or Certification Required: None

Physical Demands: Frequent bending, standing, walking, climbing stairs, lifting and pushing light to moderate weight (2-19 pounds). Somewhat frequent lifting moderate to heavy weight (6-20+ pounds). Occasional working in awkward or confined positions, lifting heavy weight, and pushing moderate to heavy weight (6-20+ pounds

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