Economic Vitality Specialist

About the Department

The City of Louisville invites enthusiastic, innovative, extroverted and collaborative professionals to apply for our position of Economic Vitality Specialist.  

This position performs administrative, technical and analytical duties related to soliciting, attracting, and securing new and expanded retail, commercial, office, and industrial developments and tenants and supporting efforts to retain existing businesses.  Must be an extrovert who loves getting out and meeting new people to develop business relationships.  Researches, updates, and maintains information on local businesses including demographics, and information about local real estate. Disseminates pertinent information to local businesses, prospects, and individuals. Tracks, updates, analyzes and responds to demographic, economic and industry-specific inquiries. Contacts new businesses to market economic development services; conducts needs assessment. Develops and implements marketing programs aimed at existing business opportunities. Develops marketing strategies with members of the business community to promote programs, services and assistance available to new and existing businesses. 

Position Duties

• Manages positive, meaningful, and quality relationships with all stakeholders related to Louisville’s economic vitality efforts including frequent and required documented contact with businesses, commercial property owners, real estate brokers, developers, investors, partners, residents, and business stakeholder groups.
• Serves as first point of contact for general inquiries; provides direct administrative and technical support for the operation and maintenance of the Economic Vitality Department. 
• Assists the Director/Manager in implementation of the Economic Vitality Strategic Plan—providing support to participating groups, task completion, and measuring outcomes. 
• Coordinates and facilitates one-on-one visits, group meetings, networking events, and other means of quality communication, outreach, and interaction with stakeholders.
• Produce content for and maintain, in consultation with the Director/Manager, website, newsletters, campaigns, and collateral materials in both digital and print formats.
• Conducts research, tracks development patterns and prospect activity for office, industrial, and retail opportunities.
• Implements plans for successful recruitment of prospective businesses. 
• Utilizes database programs to track business trends and document follow-up; accesses and analyzes commercial demographic and statistical databases to produce effective reports, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Assists Director/Manager in supporting Louisville’s Urban Renewal Authority, the Revitalization Commission, in carrying out the goals and objectives of the Highway 42 Urban Renewal Plan and any new plan areas.
• Participates in meetings of the Council Committee on Economic Vitality (EVC)
• Processes invoices, purchase orders, and other billing-related activities.
• Prepares budget estimates and Capital Improvement Plan justifications to support economic vitality programming;.
• Prepares estimates, reviews agreements, and tracks payments related to the Business Assistance Program. 
• Works with the Planning and Building Safety Department to address zoning, Code, and signage issues with regards to the business community.
• Participates in developing and promoting special events that benefit the local business community.
• Manages annual downtown patio program.
• Develops and delivers presentations to a variety of audiences—establishing and maintaining a highly visible and accessible profile to businesses, organizations, and other stakeholders. 
• Networks with state, regional, and national economic development entities; establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with other economic development organizations at all levels.
• Maintains knowledge of economic trends and current thinking in the fields of business retention, transportation, parking management, and sustainability.
• Provides excellent customer service, business etiquette, and team collaboration—maintaining a positive and supportive presence at all times.
• May be required to travel and/or work outside of business hours to attend industry-related meetings, events, business functions, and educational and community programs when necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, planning, or closely related field required
• 3 years of relevant progressively responsible experience in economic vitality/development

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of business and economic principles and strategies.
• Knowledge of urban design and planning principles, practices, administrative procedures, and site planning. 
• Knowledge of best practices in marketing and communications. 
• Knowledge of dashboards, website content management systems, customer relationship management software, and e-communication platforms such as GovDelivery.
• Ability to analyze complex situations, problems, and data, and use sound judgment in drawing conclusions and making decisions.
• Ability to plan and execute successful initiatives. 
• Ability to research, produce reports, compose narrative, and create visual representations of data.
• Ability to take initiative and proactively work to build business relationships
• Ability to work in Microsoft Office suite products and database software.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle confidential issues with tact and discretion. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with citizens, employees, supervisors, elected officials, boards, organizations, and the general public in a professional manner. 
• Ability to effectively work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to conduct business outreach, build and maintain effective relationships, and foster positive communication and engagement with both new and existing stakeholders.

Other Qualifications

SPECIAL LICENSE, REGISTRATION, OR CERTIFICATE REQUIRED:
 Valid Colorado Driver's license with an acceptable driving record.  New hires must, as a condition of employment, pass the following pre-offer and post-offer/hire processes: oral board, reference checks, background and driving record checks

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
 Standard indoor office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Position requires attendance at regular and special events outside of normal working hours.