Business Improvement Area Advisor

City of Seattle•Seattle, WA

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of Economic Development works to shape a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving economy by increasing access to economic opportunities, reducing racial inequities, and supporting community-centered growth. As part of this work, the Only in Seattle (OIS) program supports neighborhood business districts as they build capacity and pursue their long-term vision for resilient, welcoming commercial corridors. We are seeking a skilled and community-centered Business Improvement Area (BIA) Advisor to lead, guide, and support Seattle’s neighborhoods through the complex, multi-year processes of forming and expanding Business Improvement Areas. This position blends technical expertise, policy fluency, data analysis, strategic advising, and community relationship-building, serving as the City’s subject-matter expert on BIA formation, assessment structures, and successful governance models. If you are energized by community-driven development, adept at navigating complex stakeholder dynamics, and skilled in translating data into policy and real-world outcomes, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on Seattle’s local economies and neighborhoods!

Requirements

Community engagement, coalition building, and stakeholder facilitation, especially with diverse or high-stakes groups
Developing or implementing place-based economic development strategies, Business Improvement Areas, special assessment districts, or similar community-driven initiatives
Analyzing complex property, land use, zoning, or taxation data - including the ability to interpret formulas, assessment models, and parcel-level datasets
Using or directing the use of GIS tools to map boundaries, analyze scenarios, or evaluate district conditions
Policy development, program design, or advising on city, state, or regulatory requirements related to economic development
Project and program management - especially managing multiple long-term, multistakeholder efforts at the same time
Working in or supporting nonprofit organizations, community-based groups, or boards (including governance, budgeting, service planning, or organizational startup)
Preparing reports, presentations, briefings, and legislation for decision-makers
Build trust, foster relationships, and navigate complex community dynamics with maturity, diplomacy, and cultural humility
Facilitate conversations that bring diverse stakeholders toward shared outcomes, even where interests may differ
Communicate technical or data-heavy information clearly to community members, property owners, and business stakeholders
Synthesize data, research, legal requirements, and community priorities into practical, actionable recommendations
Lead complex processes with confidence while collaborating across departments such as Budget, Finance, and Law
Represent OED and the City professionally in public, often in politically sensitive spaces
Manage consultants and partners, ensuring accuracy of analytical work and alignment with City standards

Nice To Haves

Advancing the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) and committing to equitable, community-centered outcomes
Supporting neighborhood business districts and contributing to a vibrant, inclusive local economy
Reducing barriers faced by communities of color, immigrant-owned businesses, and historically underserved neighborhoods
Collaborative problem solving, transformative community partnerships, and public service

Responsibilities

Lead and facilitate BIA formation across multiple neighborhoods simultaneously.
Provide expert technical assistance on assessment structures, sustainable funding models, and governance.
Develop tools, resources, and policies that strengthen the City’s support for BIA formation and early-stage operations.
Guide multiple business districts simultaneously through the full lifecycle of forming or expanding a BIA.
Assess readiness and feasibility; develop tailored formation strategies for each neighborhood.
Facilitate outreach, engagement, and consensus building- among diverse property owners, businesses, and community organizations.
Lead districts through the legal, petition, and legislative processes required for BIA adoption.
Serve as the City’s expert on state law, city policy, assessment models, and governance structures for BIAs.
Analyze complex datasets including parcel characteristics, land use, building square footage, taxable value, assessed value, business license and tax data, and other relevant factors.
Develop, evaluate, and explain assessment formulas tailored to unique district conditions while maintaining cross-BIA consistency and alignment with City policy.
Use or oversee Geographic Information System (GIS) data to map district boundaries, run assessment scenarios, and support decision making.
Direct, review, and validate the work of consultants performing data collection and modeling.
Support newly formed BIAs in establishing governing boards, operational systems, compliance needs, and service delivery plans.
Develop toolkits, templates, best practices, and policy recommendations to improve City support for BIAs and their operations.
Provide ongoing technical assistance to emerging and existing BIAs, ensuring continuity, shared learning, and equitable outcomes.
Facilitate complex, high-stakes conversations involving diverse stakeholders with varied priorities.
Build trust, navigate political dynamics, and guide communities toward shared vision and consensus.
Represent OED and the City at public meetings, stakeholder convenings, and community events.
Prepare clear presentations, briefings, reports, and legislative materials.
Manage multiple simultaneous BIA explorations at different stages.
Oversee consultant contracts, neighborhood grants, and organizational partnerships.
Monitor outcomes, budgets, and project deliverables.
Coordinate with City Budget, Finance, and Law departments to prepare BIA legislation and support Council decision-making.