Economic Development Project Manager (Downtown)

Essential Job Functions:

• Responsible for the coordination, management, development and implementation of various initiatives and programs of service designed to attract, retain or create entrepreneurship and small businesses in the city with primary emphasis on the Central Business District.
• Coordinate and develop a plan(s) for the downtown business district which includes such areas as recruitment, retention, incentives, design assistance, marketing, promotion, and economic development.
• Identify new businesses that will add to the quality and diversity of the downtown retail make-up and pro-actively recruit these targeted businesses to the downtown area.
• Maintain and update a contact list of all businesses in the Central Business District; regularly updates the Square Business Directory.
• Serve as a liaison between the city and the DMDA, Visit Marietta, Branding Project, Marietta Arts Council and merchants’ group. Attends Historic Board of Review meetings.
• Facilitate the Square lighting program and coordinate funding request with DMDA.
• Serve as a liaison between city staff and the Central Business District’s businesses, property owners, and key stakeholders, acting as an ombudsman on behalf of these entities.
• Fulfills requests for information pertaining to economic development, real estate, development opportunities, and other relevant topics.
• Share in the role with the Economic Development team to develop an on-going program of service for implementing the city’s business retention and expansion program including regular engagements with existing businesses and other initiatives like the Marietta Business Talks.
• Serve as the initial point of contact for façade grants and Historic Board of Review applications for sign permits and awnings.
• Work with staff of the BLW on efforts to recruit utility customers.
• Attends committee and council meetings, Economic Development-related training seminars, etc. as necessary.
• Represent the City of Marietta in community events (e.g. Cobb Chamber, Marietta Merchant Meetings) and attend ribbon-cuttings for new businesses.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Urban Planning, Economics, Public or Business Administration, or a related field, and at least two (2) years of experience in economic development, planning, real estate, or related field. A master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
• Experience in Main Street Program management is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability in team building, both with internal and external stakeholders.
• Skill and ability in developing relationships with existing or potential staff, local and state partners, and elected officials.
• General knowledge of real estate financing is preferred.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, to include the ability to make public presentations. Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of civic groups and business owners and organizations.
• Skill using a computer and various software applications including MS Office Suite (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) to compose business letters, reports, presentations, emails, and promotional materials. Skill in creating, interpreting, presenting and explaining statistical information using Excel and other related applications as appropriate.
• Knowledge and skill in the application of business math; use of spreadsheets; understanding and implications of financial and statistical data, and the ability to explain them to a variety of audiences.
• A valid Georgia driver’s license and a satisfactory (7) seven-year driving history, to include no DUI’s in the last five (5) years.

Disclaimer

Successful candidates are required to submit to drug screen & background inquiry.