BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & TECHNOLOGY MANAGER (GCEDC) – 0525 Position Available In Greenville, South Carolina

Job SummaryUnder limited direction and in compliance with technical, administrative, regulatory, and professional standards and guidelines, develops and manages a multi-faceted business development and project management system and program for the Greenville City Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) with a strong emphasis on complex technology-based economic development opportunities, including life sciences and engineering, which directly supports City-wide business retention, recruitment, and entrepreneurial development designed to help grow the City of Greenville’s economy. Develops effective systems and strategies that provide measurable results. Maintains key relationships and works in collaboration with a variety of private, public and non-profit economic development partners in support of the City’s economic development strategies. Facilitates, makes presentations, and develops effective strategies for prospective investors, businesses, developers, and site consultants. Spearheads the development of project management systems utilized by the GCEDC and also manages a wide variety of economic development projects, with a particular emphasis on tech-based and life sciences projects, as well as strategic support for early-stage companies and start-ups. Provides recommendations for appropriate City participation in support of complex, mission supporting business development opportunities. Manages financial programs in support of business development. Participates in targeted marketing trips in conjunction with other economic development colleagues & partners when appropriate. Researches and writes, where applicable, grants to support business retention, attraction and expansion, utilizing experience navigating federal and state agencies when needed. Assigns staff to various committees and serves on boards when appropriate and necessary to further the City’s economic development strategies. Essential Functions % of

TimeDevelop, Manage, and Execute Corporate Project Management Strategies:

Manage the pipeline of leads, prospects, and projects for the GCEDC to foster business retention, attraction, expansion and investment. Support site visits with site selection firms, companies, technical partners, and centers of influence. Work with existing companies to identify opportunities to maintain a competitive business environment. Conduct research on relevant industry trends. Maintain current market research to be used in presentations and marketing packages. Attend workshops and conferences in targeted industry sectors and Greenville cluster market areas. Research and write, where applicable, grants to support business retention, attraction and expansion focused heavily on tech-based economic development and next generation jobs. Conduct research when appropriate on company and leading-edge technologies to ensure economic sustainability and visibility. Work with existing companies to identify supply chain and supporting businesses to recruit to Greenville. Develop a network to connect workforce development programs with new and expanding businesses. Work with existing companies to identify and address issues and concerns that promote retention and expansion including items like taxes, business licenses, fees, infrastructure, workforce, and incentives. Serve as GCEDC’s specialist for early-stage innovation companies and start-ups, developing an inventory of existing incentives for targeted small and emerging businesses, particularly those that utilize novel technologies. Address issues and concerns with companies considering relocating to Greenville. Evaluate impact of City ordinances and policies on investment decisions within the City and develops recommendations for cost neutral improvements.60%

Support Innovation & Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Leadership and Execution:

Through research and direct engagement with innovation and entrepreneurial partners throughout the City, region and state, help catalyze mission-based innovation strategies for the GCEDC. Work directly with a multitude of technology-based start-ups and early-stage innovation companies, with a particular emphasis on advancing Greenville’s status as a life sciences hub. Identify tech-based emphasis areas and market strengths to publicize. Develop and implement strategies with outside organizations and agencies to jointly amplify Greenville’s reputation as a fertile start-up ecosystem, and a nationally recognized hub for tech-based economic development. Coordinate strategic efforts with outside agencies, businesses and organizations to reinforce the City’s emphasis on jobs and technologies of the future, including sharing information, research, data and other materials. Work with a wide variety of companies, stakeholders and outside consultants to further Greenville’s leading-edge economic development strategies. Develop and maintain an inventory of assets and ecosystem profiles that can be shared with partners, site consultants and other entities interested in locating in Greenville.20%

Manage External Relationships:

Maintain regular contact with agencies including email, phone calls, and meetings with a variety of private, public and non-profit economic development partners to further the City’s next generation economic development strategies. Maintain close working relationships with state and local organizations and the innovation, academic, financial, development, and entrepreneurial community as well as workforce development agencies. Work jointly with agencies and strategic partners to develop new programs, clusters, and incentives. Work with companies to develop joint programs that will be mutually beneficial.20%Perform other duties as assigned.

Job RequirementsMaster’s degree in engineering or in the field of life sciences, business administration, or a related field.

Over six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in tech-based business development, project management and/or professional economic development events and activities.

Preferred QualificationsDirect experience in the life sciences sector.

Supervisory experience.

Driver’s License RequirementsValid South Carolina Class D Driver’s License.

Performance RequirementsKnowledge of:

Economic development issues, principles, and techniques, including state and federal policies and programs, capital improvements programming, applicable regulations and regulatory devices, associated data sources and information systems.

Redevelopment laws and processes; local government revenue sources and tax increment financing.

Principles and practices of budget development, administration, and accountability including funding sources impacting program and service development.

Management principles and practices necessary to plan, analyze, develop, direct, and evaluate programs, administrative polices, and organizational structures.

Ability to:

Understand the key factors companies and site selectors look for in focused industries and the ability to match local assets to those factors.

Plan, organize, direct, and lead economic development programs and initiatives.

Interpret and explain complex economic development regulations, laws, and guidelines.

Negotiate and manage professional service contracts, and economic development-oriented transactions.

Expertly conduct research, critically evaluate the research findings, and make sound recommendations.

Recognize and be sensitive to political environments and situations.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City Manager’s Office, City Council, Department Directors, staff at all levels, consultants, governmental groups at the local, state and federal as well as the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, VisitGreenvilleSC, commercial realtors, developers, financial institutions, business and property owner associations, planning commissions, and City appointed boards and commissions.

Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.

Exercise integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Communicate at a superior level verbally and in writing, including capacity to communicate complex ideas and data compellingly to a variety of audiences.

Manage multiple projects and perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.

Successfully complete time-sensitive and/or high-profile projects through collaboration, consensus, and creativity.

Travel as needed.

At an advanced level, read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical journals and procedures, financial reports, legal documents, and governmental regulations as well as literature, books, reviews, reports, and abstracts.

Work with advanced mathematical operations methods and functions of real and complex variables.

At an advanced level, write policies, contracts, speeches, formal presentations, and/or technical and legal documents and correspondence.

Operate general office equipment to include scanner, printer, copier, smart telephone, and computer with Microsoft Office Suite and related business software.

Working ConditionsPrimary Work Location:

Office environment.

Protective Equipment Required:

None.

Environmental/Health and Safety Factors:

Relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.

Physical Demands:

Constantly requires fine dexterity, vision, hearing, and talking. Frequently requires walking, sitting, and handling/grasping. Occasionally requires standing, lifting, reaching, climbing, and foot controls. Light strength demands include exerting up to 20 pounds occasionally, exerting up to 10 pounds frequently, or negligible amounts constantly AND/OR walking or standing to a significant degree.

Mental Demands:

Frequently requires time pressures, frequent change of tasks, irregular schedule/overtime, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, working closely with others as part of a team, and noisy/distracting environment. Occasionally requires emergency situations and tedious or exacting work.

Americans with Disabilities Act ComplianceThe City of Greenville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Prospective and current employees should contact Human Resources to request an ADA accommodation.

DisclaimerThe above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

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