Business License Official - FACS - Business License

Town of Mount Pleasant•Mount Pleasant, SC

5d•$75,465 - $94,321•Onsite

About The Position

The Business License Official administers and manages the Town’s business license and hospitality tax programs in accordance with Town ordinances and applicable state law. The position oversees revenue collection and compliance activities, supervises Business License staff, interprets and applies ordinances and regulations, manages complex licensing, enforcement, and appeal matters, and serves as a primary resource to Town departments, businesses, governmental agencies, and the public regarding business licensing and hospitality tax requirements. The role directs the Business License Division’s daily operations, including customer service, inspections, audits, fiscal reporting, correspondence, revenue processing, enforcement, and complex licensing matters. It develops and maintains procedures, monitors revenues, prepares reports, and identifies opportunities to improve accuracy, compliance, customer service, and operational efficiency. The Official also represents the Town in business license appeals and Municipal Court proceedings and coordinates with other departments and external agencies. Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with occasional work outside the office for inspections, meetings, court proceedings, or other business-related activities. The position involves frequent interaction with Town employees, business owners, governmental representatives, and members of the public. Meetings or proceedings may occasionally occur outside normal business hours.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
Five years of progressively responsible relevant experience in business licensing, taxation, revenue collection, finance, regulatory compliance, municipal government, or a closely related area, including at least three years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Valid South Carolina driver’s license.
Knowledge of municipal business licensing, taxation, revenue collection, regulatory compliance, and financial administration.
Knowledge of applicable Town ordinances and state laws governing business licenses, hospitality taxes, and related revenues.
Knowledge of supervisory and leadership principles and practices.
Ability to interpret, apply, and explain ordinances, statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures accurately and consistently.
Ability to exercise sound judgment on complex licensing, compliance, enforcement, and revenue matters.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with business owners, Town employees, elected and appointed officials, governmental agencies, professional organizations, and the public.
Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex regulatory, financial, and procedural information to people with varied backgrounds and technical knowledge.
Ability to address difficult or sensitive customer service, compliance, and enforcement matters professionally.
Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information.
Ability to organize and prioritize multiple assignments, deadlines, and competing priorities with accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to prepare, analyze, maintain, and interpret financial, operational, and compliance reports; perform mathematical calculations and review revenue information accurately.
Ability to identify operational or system problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement appropriate solutions.
Skill using computers, business licensing and financial systems, Microsoft Office applications including Excel, and other relevant software.
Ability to learn and navigate multiple software platforms and guide staff through system changes and process improvements.
Ability to supervise, develop, evaluate, and direct assigned employees.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively and exercise appropriate judgment within established authority.
Ability to read, comprehend, interpret, and apply detailed ordinances, statutes, regulations, policies, procedures, financial information, and technical materials.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, interruptions, and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Master Business License Official (MBL) certification through the South Carolina Business Licensing Officials Association (BLOA).
Experience administering municipal business license, hospitality tax, or similar governmental revenue programs.
Experience interpreting and applying ordinances, statutes, regulations, and administrative requirements.

Responsibilities

Administer the Town’s business license and hospitality tax programs in accordance with Town ordinances and applicable state law.
Direct collection of business license taxes, hospitality taxes, building permit fees, franchise fees, and other assigned Town revenues.
Develop revenue estimates and monitor collections against budgeted revenues.
Calculate business license and hospitality taxes and ensure collections are reconciled accurately on a daily and monthly basis.
Develop, recommend, implement, and maintain procedures and policies for revenue collection, licensing, and compliance.
Review ordinances and administrative practices and recommend changes in response to legal, regulatory, legislative, technological, or operational developments.
Conduct research and analysis to evaluate operations and establish or modify standards, procedures, and practices.
Direct, schedule, coordinate, and monitor the daily activities of the Business License Division.
Supervise, train, direct, and evaluate assigned employees and provide guidance on ordinance interpretation, licensing requirements, procedures, and system practices.
Set work priorities and monitor workload to ensure responsibilities are completed accurately and on time.
Prepare and review reports on revenue collections, new businesses, outstanding fees, enforcement, and other division activities.
Investigate newly established businesses and other potential licensing matters for compliance with Town requirements.
Review delinquent accounts and determine appropriate collection or enforcement actions.
Issue assessments, citations, and other notices to businesses that do not comply with applicable ordinances.
Review and interpret documentation and information required for enforcement and court proceedings.
Represent the Town in business license appeals and Municipal Court proceedings involving business license violations.
Coordinate with Planning, Police, and other Town departments on compliance with Town codes and regulations.
Oversee and support systems used to administer business licensing, hospitality taxes, and related revenue programs; troubleshoot issues and coordinate solutions.
Lead staff in testing system changes, upgrades, and new functionality; maintain departmental reports and develop ad hoc reports and analyses.
Identify and implement opportunities to improve processes, customer service, efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
Advise business owners, Town staff, governmental agencies, and the public on business license and hospitality tax requirements.
Interpret and communicate ordinances, state law, policies, and procedures to people with differing levels of familiarity with licensing matters.
Consult with businesses, agencies, professional organizations, and stakeholders to resolve complex licensing and ordinance interpretation issues.
Liaise with Charleston County, the Municipal Association of South Carolina, and other agencies and organizations on hospitality, insurance, telecommunications, and other applicable tax or licensing matters.
Attend meetings concerning business license and hospitality tax collections and fiscal impact, and present information as requested, including to the Finance Committee.
Respond to information requests from business owners, Town officials, municipal officers, and other stakeholders.
Perform other related duties as assigned.