Business Enterprise Specialist

Chatham County, GA Government is looking for a proactive Business Enterprise Specialist to join our Purchasing Department and champion the growth of local Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE). In this pivotal role, you will bridge the gap between small businesses and government opportunities by managing certifications, ensuring contract compliance, and fostering strategic community partnerships. If you are a detail-oriented professional passionate about driving economic initiatives, we invite you to apply. * Research and implement best practices within the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) industry while maintaining knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines. * Review and evaluate sensitive documentation to verify business ownership, operational control, and day-to-day management structure of firms seeking local or MBE/WBE participation or certification to determine eligibility and compliance. * Manage and maintain stakeholder participant communication, responding to inquiries, providing guidance, and building relationships * Collaborate with internal departments to understand project scopes and identify qualified vendors and contractors capable of meeting project requirements. * Coordinate with other departments to understand the scope of work needed by the department and identify appropriate vendors and contractors that can meet the scope of the work. * Notify MWBE vendors and contractors of upcoming bid opportunities and develop and conduct workshops and training sessions to educate vendors and agencies on MBE/WBE program requirements and best practices. * Facilitate with enrolling M/WBE and local vendors in the bidder's database and maintain the list of local M/WBEs. * Attend pre-bid and pre-proposal conference meetings, as well as bid openings, to support vendor participation and compliance. * Evaluate bids and proposals to ensure compliance with County requirements and procurement policies. * Participate in pre-construction meetings and perform on-site inspections to monitor contractor compliance with MBE/WBE and local commitments * Inspect and monitor MBE/WBE subcontractor performance and scope of work fulfillment and evaluate subcontractor substitution requests from general contractors on projects. * Partner with local agencies and nonprofit organizations to promote and expand the benefits of the County's MBE/WBE and local program and use multiple communication channels and media formats to promote MBE/WBE program opportunities and outreach initiatives. * Develop and maintain professional relationships with Project Managers, Deputies, Directors, County management, and others as needed to effectively collaborate and deliver compliance initiatives. * Assess closed contract report, reconcile goal commitments, and develop methods to identify barriers in meeting set goals, recommend corrective actions, and assist in the overall achievement of MBE/WBE initiatives. * Perform other duties as assigned. * Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Urban Studies, or a closely related field, and * At least two (2) years of professional experience in procurement and/or technical business services to assist minority/women business enterprise; or * Any equivalent combination of experience and training. * Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. * Must possess certification by the American Contract Compliance Association or an industry relevant certification or be able to obtain certification within a two-year period and maintain certification throughout employment. * Must be able to develop and evaluate data to ensure contract compliance and vendor performance.