Director of Business Development

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

The Director of Business Development is responsible for promoting business and economic development throughout the City of Syracuse through the attraction of new businesses and the retention and expansion of existing businesses. The Director oversees the Division of Business Development, including the day-to-day management of Division activities and supervision, coaching, and evaluation of staff.

The Director works closely with the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner of Business Development, City departments, and local, regional, State, and Federal partners to advance economic development priorities. Responsibilities include strategic planning and implementation; project analysis; business and developer assistance; development and administration of economic development programs; identification and delivery of incentives and other resources; grant and funding coordination; and support of local development corporations and public authorities.

The Director develops and maintains relationships with businesses, developers, property owners, economic development organizations, real estate professionals, governmental agencies, and community stakeholders. The position represents and advocates for the City's economic development interests and provides information and presentations to public officials, boards, commissions, civic groups, businesses, and the general public.

The work is performed under the general supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Business Development. Certain assignments require reliable access to transportation to meet fieldwork requirements in a timely and efficient manner. The incumbent performs related work as required.

Typical Work Activities

Strategic Planning and Economic Development: 

• Supports the development and implementation of strategic plans, studies, reports, and recommendations to advance the Administration's and City's economic development goals.
• Directs and coordinates economic development initiatives, including business attraction, retention, expansion, small business support, and real estate development.
• Provides economic development advice; analyzes projects and investment opportunities; assists with applications, permitting, and project coordination; and advocates for economic development consistent with City policies, ordinances, and goals.
• Assists in the design, development, launch, and implementation of economic development programs.
• Monitors legislation, regulations, and economic trends affecting City initiatives and advises appropriate parties of relevant developments.

Resources, Incentives, and Projects:

• Maintains and provides information regarding property and development sites, zoning, taxes, utilities, transportation, financing, incentives, economic indicators, capital, technical assistance, and other resources supporting business and development activity.
• Evaluates projects and assists with the development and delivery of incentives and other tools designed to encourage business investment and development.
• Coordinates grant and funding proposals, applications, contracts, agreements, and related documentation.
• Assists with professional service contracts, property transactions, public-private partnerships, and other economic development negotiations, as assigned.
• Provides administrative support to local development corporations and public authorities, including budget preparation, expenditure monitoring, financial reporting, and required State reporting.

Partnerships and Community Relations:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships with businesses, developers, property owners, real estate professionals, economic development organizations, governmental agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinates economic development projects with local, regional, State, and Federal agencies and partners.
• Participates in economic development associations, task forces, and other organizations that promote business and community development.
• Provides information and presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups, businesses, individuals, and the general public regarding economic development programs, services, issues, and opportunities.

Division Administration:

• Manages the day-to-day activities of the Division of Business Development and supervises, coaches, develops, and evaluates staff.
• Establishes priorities and performance goals, assigns and monitors work, and coordinates Division activities to achieve established objectives.
• Uses data, information systems, and reports to collect, analyze, and disseminate economic development information.
• Prepares and maintains records, reports, and other materials necessary to support Division programs and activities.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of business and economic development.
• Good knowledge of economic development programs, financing tools, incentives, and resources available to support business attraction, retention, expansion, and real estate development.
• Good knowledge of the principles and practices of project management, program administration, and strategic planning.
• Good knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision and personnel management.
• Ability to analyze economic development projects, investment opportunities, financial information, and related data.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with for-profit developers, not-for-profit agencies, entrepreneurs, investors, commercial real estate professionals, neighborhood-based organizations, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, supervise, and evaluate the work of staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to prepare and deliver presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to organize and coordinate multiple projects and priorities, apply critical thinking, and exercise sound judgment in resolving problems.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS, Adobe Creative Suite, and/or CAD preferred.
• Initiative, resourcefulness, tact, good judgment, and attention to detail.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Urban


Planning/Development, Landscape Architecture, or another related field; or commensurate
professional experience.

Minimum five (5) years of experience in economic development, community development, real
estate finance, financial services, or another related field, with at least two (2) years of supervisory
experience preferred.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance
• Retirement plan

The Affirmative Action Policy of the City of Syracuse is to provide equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, creed, age (18 and over), marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, gender identity or gender expression, sexual or affectional preference or orientation, or any other classified group within the protected class. The City also complies with 31 CFR part 51. If you have a disability for which you wish special accommodation to be made, contact the Office of Human Resources at View phone number on us.fitly.work or View email address on us.fitly.work.

All offers of employment will be contingent on the successful completion of a background check and/or drug screen.

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