Business and Partnerships Relations Manager

City of Kent, Washington•Centennial, CO

4d•$10,767 - $13,113•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Kent is seeking a dynamic and relationship-driven Business and Partnerships Relations Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping the city’s economic future. This position leads high-impact initiatives that strengthen Kent’s business climate, elevate the visibility of the Kent Valley, and build meaningful connections between industry, education, and the community. With a strong focus on workforce development, marketing, and strategic partnerships, the Business and Partnerships Relations Manager serves as a key representative of the City of Kent—engaging local businesses, regional stakeholders, and educational institutions to advance long-term economic growth. This role offers significant autonomy, the opportunity to influence regional policy, and the ability to collaborate across departments, including close involvement with the Mayor’s Office on strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, political science, or a related field, supplemented by at least eight (8) years of relevant work experience. This is a full-time, benefited position that is not represented by a union. Applications will be accepted through August 9th. SALARY: $10,767.00- $13,113.00 per month, depending on experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, political science, or related field.
At least 8 years of related work experience.
Demonstrated experience working within the state legislative process preferred.
Must successfully pass a position specific background inquiry.
Advanced interpersonal, public relations, presentation, and communications skills (verbal and written).
Project management of events and ability to keep boards of external stakeholders organized and attendance.
Knowledge of principles and practices of organization, public administration, and modern municipal management as applied to the analysis and evaluation of economic development programs, policies, and operational needs.
Advanced knowledge of research methods, report writing, group and meeting facilitation techniques, and the organization and presentation of oral reports.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, policies and strategies pertaining to City operations and legislative processes.
Advanced PC proficiency including word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet programs.
Ability to operate within broad administrative policies and guidelines and without close day-to-day supervision.
Ability to analyze and develop policies related to economic development and tourism.
Ability to negotiate, mediate, facilitate and build consensus.
Ability to cultivate and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with elected officials, advisory bodies, the business community, developers, private consultants, citizen groups, community service organizations, department heads, employees, the media, and the public.
Ability to analyze situations accurately and recommend an effective course of action or present alternative solutions.
Ability to prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within the state legislative process preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist Chief Economic Development Officer with planning, organizing, coordination, and evaluation of major economic development activities within the City; assist/coordinates as needed on projects and grant opportunities and legislative efforts; represents the city at government related events of the Chambers of Commerce and at regional industry associations.
Develops communication and customer strategies that maintain and enhance the reputation of the department and the profile of the City on topics of policies relating to industry and education.
Communicate with, respond to and resolve complaints, conflicts, concerns, and questions from citizens, contractors, customers, developers, business owners, and public and private agencies concerning City services, policies and procedures, activities, and programs; exchange information to encourage cooperation and efficiency of the development process.
Lead and provide project management to collaborative interdepartmental efforts—in particular with the Communications teams; as well as external organizations, on special projects and initiatives pertaining to the City’s economic development goals—provide staffing support to such as education and business groups relating to careers in local Kent industries.
Convene, facilitate, coordinate and/or lead initiatives among businesses, staff and stage events, network with community-based organizations or agencies, and regional economic development partners to further the goals and objectives of the City.
Develop collaborative relationships; serve as a City resource on retail, workforce, and neighborhood development; identify opportunities for outreach and to establish and improve relationships with partners, businesses and community groups in assigned areas.
Research and prepare marketing materials which will assist in responding to inquiries about local economic development opportunities in the City, including information about utilities, taxes, zoning, transportation, community services and financing tools.
Coordinate a variety of activities, including marketing, related to business development, expansion, and retention; work with the real estate, finance, development and property owner communities to facilitate economic vitality.
Actively support the vision, mission, values, and goals of the department and the City.
Improving customer service and communication for the small business community in Kent, and helping the city’s planning and permitting functions meaningfully connect and collect input from community audiences
Raising the visibility and profile of the Kent Valley business community within the Seattle metro, to the state, and to national audiences
Maintaining a friendly business climate within the City and communicating a message of inclusive prosperity through career connections to education programming
Overseeing a strategic communications and work program of business events, news media releases, and other content creation throughout the year that help to narrate and substantiate the City’s leadership in key industrial manufacturing sectors, including space, aerospace, food manufacturing, and logistics to key audiences of investors, business leaders, and policy makers as well as to other governmental entities and institutions
Develops, implements, and participates in special business community events to promote business development and vitality
Works as liaison with the Kent School District on career and technical education initiatives from the Economic and Community Development Department as well as to regional institutions of higher education and community programs
Attends relevant city and community meetings as a City representative in promotion of the City’s goals for promotion of career connected learning and readiness
Provides representation and cultivates public-private partnerships with a variety of key Kent cluster industry trade associations, boards, and related entities
Assists and offers assistance to workforce, business groups and industry organizations in setting up events and activities in business-to-business relations and supports a friendly business climate in Kent
Monitors state and philanthropic funding opportunities for Kent small businesses and companies and works above and beyond to help Kent resident firms secure these resources
Respond to requests for help to identify resources and other support for entrepreneurs starting or growing existing businesses
Through strategic use of gleaned intelligence, establish relationships which go beyond representation to building self-sustaining partnerships as demonstrated through robust participation of business community in career and technical education programs, city planning initiatives and communication campaigns
Research funding sources, determine needs, draft and submit grant proposals for economic development projects, and manage related contract administration.
Directly works with the Mayor’s office on strategic marketing campaigns and initiatives pertaining to improving the visibility and reputation of Kent and the Kent Valley
Provides back-up to Communications Division and investigates and follows up on citizen requests for service, complaints, and requests for information in regard to development and business issues
Works to foster a STEM friendly community and climate across the city and neighborhoods in support of Kent’s growing reputation as an advanced manufacturing and aerospace hub
Assists in developing and implementing a marketing strategy and a business recruitment and retention campaign that promotes the City of Kent as a destination for investment and also builds awareness of careers in the Kent Valley with local resident communities
Foster and strategically develop sponsorship opportunities with aims of raising Kent’s profile as a home for innovation
Create business-related marketing meetings that cultivate Kent Valley branding and feature Kent firms
Increase visibility and support for community development efforts in industry (STEM education, local food economy)