Business and Partnerships Relations Manager

Come work at a place where you have a direct impact on the quality of life for Kent residents, business owners and visitors alike! The City of Kent is seeking a dynamic and relationship-driven Business and Partnerships Relations Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping the city’s economic future. Reporting directly to the Chief Economic Development Officer, this position leads high-impact initiatives that strengthen Kent’s business climate, elevate the visibility of the Kent Valley, and build meaningful connections between industry, education, and the community. With a strong focus on workforce development, marketing, and strategic partnerships, the Business and Partnerships Relations Manager serves as a key representative of the City of Kent—engaging local businesses, regional stakeholders, and educational institutions to advance long-term economic growth. This role offers significant autonomy, the opportunity to influence regional policy, and the ability to collaborate across departments, including close involvement with the Mayor’s Office on strategic initiatives. If you are a skilled communicator, a proactive relationship-builder, and a champion for community-focused economic development, we invite you to join us in supporting Kent’s continued leadership in key industries including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and food production. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, political science, or a related field, supplemented by at least eight (8) years of relevant work experience. This is a full-time, benefited position that is not represented by a union. All City of Kent employees and external candidates are eligible to apply. **Please note that you must attach your cover letter and resume to your application for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position. If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our office Monday-Friday, between 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM at View phone number on click.appcast.io and we will do our best to assist you.** The selection process for this position will include at least one panel interview. The date for interviews has not been established. Applications will be accepted through August 9th. SALARY: $10,767.00- $13,113.00 per month, depending on experience For a listing of benefits, please use the following link: Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov) GENERAL PURPOSE: Under the direction of the Chief Economic Development Officer, with a high level of autonomy, implement economic development strategies with a strong focus on workforce development, education, and marketing as well as implementation of initiatives originating in the Mayor’s office. Work is characterized by professional-level communications, analytical, administrative and project management duties. The supervisor communicates the overall objectives, strategy, goals and resources available. The incumbent is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignment, resolves most conflicts that arise, and interprets policies on own initiative in terms of established objectives. The incumbent keeps the supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far-reaching implications. Work is reviewed in terms of fulfillment of objectives and goals in conformance with department policy and practice. The incumbent also staffs the administration of the city’s lodging tax advisory committee—an entirely unique budgetary process within the City. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist Chief Economic Development Officer with planning, organizing, coordination, and evaluation of major economic development activities within the City; assist/coordinates as needed on projects and grant opportunities and legislative efforts; represents the city at government related events of the Chambers of Commerce and at regional industry associations. Develops communication and customer strategies that maintain and enhance the reputation of the department and the profile of the City on topics of policies relating to industry and education. Communicate with, respond to and resolve complaints, conflicts, concerns, and questions from citizens, contractors, customers, developers, business owners, and public and private agencies concerning City services, policies and procedures, activities, and programs; exchange information to encourage cooperation and efficiency of the development process. Lead and provide project management to collaborative interdepartmental efforts—in particular with the Communications teams; as well as external organizations, on special projects and initiatives pertaining to the City’s economic development goals—provide staffing support to such as education and business groups relating to careers in local Kent industries. Convene, facilitate, coordinate and/or lead initiatives among businesses, staff and stage events, network with community-based organizations or agencies, and regional economic development partners to further the goals and objectives of the City. Develop collaborative relationships; serve as a City resource on retail, workforce, and neighborhood development; identify opportunities for outreach and to establish and improve relationships with partners, businesses and community groups in assigned areas. Research and prepare marketing materials which will assist in responding to inquiries about local economic development opportunities in the City, including information about utilities, taxes, zoning, transportation, community services and financing tools. Coordinate a variety of activities, including marketing, related to business development, expansion, and retention; work with the real estate, finance, development and property owner communities to facilitate economic vitality. Actively support the vision, mission, values, and goals of the department and the City. Distinguishing Characteristics: Business and Partnership Relations Manager is an instrumental part of the City’s ability to influence regional policy and maintain the City’s business friendly reputation; moreover, unique amongst Economic and Community Development employees, supports efforts across departments at a manager and deputy director peer level. Principal Accountabilities: Improving customer service and communication for the small business community in Kent, and helping the city’s planning and permitting functions meaningfully connect and collect input from community audiences Raising the visibility and profile of the Kent Valley business community within the Seattle metro, to the state, and to national audiences Maintaining a friendly business climate within the City and communicating a message of inclusive prosperity through career connections to education programming Overseeing a strategic communications and work program of business events, news media releases, and other content creation throughout the year that help to narrate and substantiate the City’s leadership in key industrial manufacturing sectors, including space, aerospace, food manufacturing, and logistics to key audiences of investors, business leaders, and policy makers as well as to other governmental entities and institutions Essential Functions: Government and Business Relations Develops, implements, and participates in special business community events to promote business development and vitality Works as liaison with the Kent School District on career and technical education initiatives from the Economic and Community Development Department as well as to regional institutions of higher education and community programs Attends relevant city and community meetings as a City representative in promotion of the City’s goals for promotion of career connected learning and readiness Provides representation and cultivates public-private partnerships with a variety of key Kent cluster industry trade associations, boards, and related entities Assists and offers assistance to workforce, business groups and industry organizations in setting up events and activities in business-to-business relations and supports a friendly business climate in Kent Monitors state and philanthropic funding opportunities for Kent small businesses and companies and works above and beyond to help Kent resident firms secure these resources Respond to requests for help to identify resources and other support for entrepreneurs starting or growing existing businesses Through strategic use of gleaned intelligence, establish relationships which go beyond representation to building self-sustaining partnerships as demonstrated through robust participation of business community in career and technical education programs, city planning initiatives and communication campaigns Research funding sources, determine needs, draft and submit grant proposals for economic development projects, and manage related contract administration. Key Duties Additional to Economic & Community Development Work of Business Recruitment, Retention and Expansion: Directly works with the Mayor’s office on strategic marketing campaigns and initiatives pertaining to improving the visibility and reputation of Kent and the Kent Valley Provides back-up to Communications Division and investigates and follows up on citizen requests for service, complaints, and requests for information in regard to development and business issues Works to foster a STEM friendly community and climate across the city and neighborhoods in support of Kent’s growing reputation as an advanced manufacturing and aerospace hub Assists in developing and implementing a marketing strategy and a business recruitment and retention campaign that promotes the City of Kent as a destination for investment and also builds awareness of careers in the Kent Valley with local resident communities Value-Adds: Foster and strategically develop sponsorship opportunities with aims of raising Kent’s profile as a home for innovation Create business-related marketing meetings that cultivate Kent Valley branding and feature Kent firms Increase visibility and support for community development efforts in industry (STEM education, local food economy) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Advanced interpersonal, public relations, presentation, and communications skills (verbal and written). Project management of events and ability to keep boards of external stakeholders organized and attendance. Knowledge of principles and practices of organization, public administration, and modern municipal management as applied to the analysis and evaluation of economic development programs, policies, and operational needs. Advanced knowledge of research methods, report writing, group and meeting facilitation techniques, and the organization and presentation of oral reports. Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, policies and strategies pertaining to City operations and legislative processes. Advanced PC proficiency including word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet programs. Ability to operate within broad administrative policies and guidelines and without close day-to-day supervision. Ability to analyze and develop policies related to economic development and tourism. Ability to negotiate, mediate, facilitate and build consensus. Ability to cultivate and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with elected officials, advisory bodies, the business community, developers, private consultants, citizen groups, community service organizations, department heads, employees, the media, and the public. Ability to analyze situations accurately and recommend an effective course of action or present alternative solutions. Ability to prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence. SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE or a COMBINATION, SUCH AS: Education: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, political science, or related field. Experience: At least 8 years of related work experience Licenses and Other Requirements: Demonstrated experience working within the state legislative process preferred. Must successfully pass a position specific background inquiry. MACHINES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT USED: Typical modern office machines and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer, printer, calculator, telephone, facsimile, copier, etc. In addition, the incumbent may be required to operate a City vehicle to conduct occasional fieldwork. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use arms, hands and fingers to reach, handle, feel, or operate objects, materials, tools, equipment or controls; frequently required to sit, stand, walk, hear and talk normally with or without mechanical assistance; occasionally required to lift in excess of 25 pounds with or without assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed primarily in an office environment; however, travel and night meetings and site inspection work are required. The City of Kent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Centrally located in the scenic Green River Valley, the City of Kent is a vibrant and culturally diverse community that offers an exceptional quality of life. With a population of 132,000 residents coming together from every corner of the world, Kent is the fifth most diverse city in the country, with an impressive 138 different languages spoken. As the sixth-largest city in Washington and the fourth-largest in King County, Kent is a rapidly growing community that strikes the perfect balance between urban amenities and natural beauty. Our captivating neighborhoods, nationally recognized parks, award-winning schools, and impressive economic growth make Kent a highly sought-after destination. At the City of Kent, we are driven by a mission to build a safe, thriving, sustainable, and inclusive community. Public service is an important calling, and our staff often share the great sense of reward they feel in the work they do each day. By choosing this path of service, we are certain you will find your own life enriched. The City of Kent offers highly competitive compensation and benefits packages, along with an inviting and supportive work culture. We value our employees and strive to create an environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and work-life balance. If you're passionate about making a difference and serving your community, we invite you to explore our current job postings. Subscribe to receive updates on future opportunities and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with the City of Kent.