Economic Development Specialist – The City of Shaker Heights, Ohio

Economic Development Specialist
Salary starting in the low $70s

Shaker Heights is a forward-thinking, welcoming community with tree-lined neighborhoods and vibrant commercial districts, all designed for gathering and connecting. Shaker residents and business owners are empowered to contribute to a longtime culture of community involvement. The City’s strong commitment to placemaking in and around commercial districts attracts quality commercial businesses and distinctive stores and restaurants that serve people of all backgrounds and experiences as well as local and regional markets.

Apply to fill the Economic Development Specialist position for the City of Shaker Heights to help advance the City’s efforts to attract new businesses, retain and expand current businesses, and revitalize commercial districts in the City. Work directly with Shaker Heights small businesses, community partners, and a cross-departmental team of talented and dedicated colleagues to provide direct business support, build the local business community, and further develop the City’s commercial districts. Work is performed under the general direction of the Director of Economic Development.

Essential Functions
The Economic Development Specialist assists in the design and implementation of economic development strategies and programs related to business attraction, expansion, and retention and carrying out the City’s Economic Development Plan. The position prepares communications and runs marketing programs related to economic development and supporting local business.

Building on years of growth in Shaker’s business community and commercial districts, this position proactively supports local businesses by developing and administering City-funded business incentives, including a Storefront Renovation grant program as well as a partnership loan program that provides supplemental equity to small businesses.

The Economic Development Specialist engages and establishes positive working relationships with local businesses, including serving as their initial point of contact at City Hall, responding to business inquiries, connecting businesses to local and regional support and resources, supporting business association activity, engaging businesses in City-sponsored events as appropriate, and developing and implementing business community events and initiatives to promote business vitality in the City.

The position upholds the City’s mission to be diverse, equitable and inclusive, including proactively providing support for Shaker businesses owned by people of color, women, and all underrepresented populations as well as being intentional about making Shaker Heights open for business to people of all colors and genders.

The Economic Development Specialist also actively participates and collaborates with regional economic development and business support organizations, including serving as a City representative with Heights-Hillcrest Regional Chamber of Commerce (HRCC).

The position assists with research and gathering data and maintains inventories of pertinent information on all aspects of economic development for the City.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The ideal candidate will have thorough knowledge of local economic development and business development, including business planning, finance, marketing and general business management; general knowledge of public sector financing and grant and loan programs pertaining to economic development; and knowledge of municipal land use, urban planning, urban development, real estate development, zoning regulations and related public agency rules and procedures. The successful candidate will have strong skill in interpersonal and written communication; the ability to build trust and consensus and develop partnerships; the ability to independently and effectively manage several projects/issues at once; skill in public speaking, delivering presentations and having personal conversations with individuals and groups of diverse backgrounds and experiences; and skill in the use of personal computers.

Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree with coursework in economics, urban studies, planning, marketing, public administration, or related field and considerable experience (minimum five years) in economic development, development finance, business development, small business support, business growth, commercial development, urban planning, community development, community engagement, community outreach, community relations, marketing, communications, governmental work, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.

The City of Shaker Heights does not hire individuals who use or test positive for tobacco or nicotine products.

PLEASE FILE RESUME AND CITY APPLICATION WITH CITY OF SHAKER HEIGHTS HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, 3400 LEE ROAD, SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH 44120.  E-mail: human.resources@shakeronline.com