Field Economic Dev Coordinator

Mecklenburg County•Charlotte, NC

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Field Economic Development Coordinator, under the supervision of the Director of Economic Development, will participate in the following activities: door to door business site visits across Mecklenburg County, implement displacement mitigation program to include pop-up markets reducing business displacement in key areas, along with implementing strategies to market at-risk businesses. The Coordinator will provide stakeholder engagement, small business support, interdepartmental collaboration, research, and event planning. Mecklenburg County is seeking a highly responsible and responsible, self-motivated, and organized person to join the Office of Economic Development. We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who wants to assist in making Mecklenburg County a place where small businesses are supported and thrive. General knowledge of business principles and management strategies; development of programming and marketing initiatives for small business outreach; experience in fostering partnerships and engagement with ecosystem partners and provide support for entrepreneurs and established businesses; and fundamentals of economic development are required. This position supports businesses and entrepreneurs impacted by transportation development and infrastructure construction by providing comprehensive guidance and programing throughout Mecklenburg County.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
2 to 4 years of work in community planning, real estate, or business retention.
Previous experience with Salesforce or a CRM system.
Strong skills in project management, customer service, data analysis, financial interpretation, research, and a spirit of creativity.
Enthusiastic self-starter who can provide exceptional customer service and is detailed oriented in synthesizing qualitative and quantitative information for assisting entrepreneurs.
Knowledge of the laws governing business activity.
Knowledge of business and transportation practices and trends.
Knowledge of economic, business planning, events planning, and transit development practices
Demonstrated computer skills, proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet research.
Ability to establish and effective relationships with fellow employees, outside agency personnel, and the public.
Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Ability to focus on the needs of the customer, and on developing strong relationships with our customers.
Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization
Comfortable in a hybrid office field work-based role

Nice To Haves

Multilingual applicants preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct regular in-person visits to businesses affected by construction zones to assess needs, share updates, and provide one-on-one technical assistance.
Use case study research and critical thinking to create solutions to major negative repercussions of substantial transit development on small businesses across the county.
Proactively document and photograph site conditions, signage gaps, and access issues within project areas and communicate findings.
Develop and maintain an emergency communication protocol to rapidly notify businesses of unexpected construction changes, road closures, or access disruptions.
Leverage existing small business programs to support displacement efforts offered by the Office of Economic Development’s Small Business teams.
Conduct outreach and engagement with the business community and key stakeholders through public presentations, information sessions, conferences, and workshop facilitation.
Assist in maintaining a database for all key stakeholders.
Maintain knowledge of economic development and transit policies, best practices, and industry trends; participate in ongoing training and professional development to enhance performance.
Participate in regular staff and project meetings; maintain organized paper and electronic records; complete required forms and documentation in a timely manner.
Utilize standard office equipment, including computers; may operate a County or personal vehicle to attend off-site meetings and visit client locations
Distribute outreach materials, flyers, and newsletters to ensure all businesses receive timely project information.
Serve as a contact for business complaints and concerns related to construction impacts, triaging issues and escalating as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned in response to evolving program needs and a dynamic work environment.