Business Development Manager

The Business Development Manager serves as the primary point of contact for local businesses and entrepreneurs for the Town, helping them navigate the local business landscape and connecting them with resources to foster economic vitality. The role focuses on strengthening the local economy by providing hands-on support to existing and new businesses, addressing their unique needs, and promoting long-term community economic goals. The Business Development Manager will play an essential role in helping local businesses thrive, create jobs, and drive economic development, with a special emphasis on personalized, relationship-driven engagement.   Works under the general direction of the Planning Director with limited need for direct oversight.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Investigate opportunities, and assist in the creation of business attraction, retention, and expansion strategies in alignment with community and department goals.
• Help lead the development of economic plans, policies, and programs that promote purposeful growth and meet identified community needs.
• Conduct analyses and studies to help guide decision-making on new projects, zoning updates, or major developments.
• Collaborate with the Planning Department and other Town Departments to ensure business development aligns with long-term land use, housing, and infrastructure plans.
• Manage department funds as assigned for business incentive programs, marketing materials, Town promotions, and other related professional services.
• Research and recommend policy changes that improve the local business climate.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of economic programs and policies, adjusting strategies as needed to achieve measurable outcomes.
• Stay informed on state and federal economic policies, grants, and legislation, and advise leadership on implications and opportunities.
• Represent the Town at public meetings, community workshops, regional initiatives and business forums.
• Prepare and give presentations at Planning Commission, Board of Trustees or other public meetings, government organizations, private groups, and individuals about the Town’s economic and business activities.
• Assist with the research, creation and administration of funding programs, including grants, incentives, district plans, enterprise zones, and others.
• Foster strong relationships with community stakeholders, including business owners, Chamber of Commerce, Wellington Main Streets, and regional economic coalitions.
• Develop and maintain a database of business assistance resources, including, but not limited to, grant opportunities, low-interest loans, technical assistance providers, mentoring programs, and others.

• Create and maintain a business resource webpage or pages within the Town website and ensure materials are current with accurate information and reports. 

• Coordinate with outside agencies and partners to connect businesses with funding sources, educational programs, and support service opportunities.
• Track and analyze data related to business needs, trends, and outcomes and use the data to inform policy recommendations and to design programs that meet business needs.
• Respond to business inquiries received in-person, electronically and by telephone. 
• Develop, maintain and update efficient processes within the department to ensure excellent service to the business community. 

• Perform a variety of highly responsible, complex and confidential duties in support of the Town and Department.
• Perform work in accordance with established standards and in compliance with Town and department policies and procedures.
• Continually looks for new and improved ways of completing the above functions.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of relevant federal, state and local laws, regulations, and procedures concerning business operations and development and of municipal zoning regulations and development review procedures. 
• Skilled in reading, understanding, interpreting and applying a wide variety of complex reports, policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, the public, outside agencies, businesses and contractors.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written form, to gather and analyze economic data to develop proposals.
• Ability to draft policies and procedures and incorporate accountability measures. 
• Skilled in gathering and analyzing information and making recommendations based on findings in support of organizational goals. 
• Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. 
• Excellent communication skills sufficient to express ideas and agreements concisely and persuasively, both orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences. 
• Negotiation, persuasion, tact, and diplomacy are essential for effectively performing tasks.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when needed and as directed.
• Excellent customer service, conflict resolution skills and ability to maintain working relationships.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, office related equipment, and ability to access and retrieve information using computer software programs.
• Ability to use, operate, and learn a variety of specialized software programs and internet website interfaces.
• Ability to work independently, work well with others, and perform in a team environment.
• Ability to solve problems using a balance of technical competence, creativity and research.
• Ability to engage multiple stakeholders in decision making processes. 
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing, and to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions. 
• Ability to operate office-related equipment.
• Thrives in a non-repetitive work environment and is capable of quickly switching between different work tasks.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economic Development, Urban Planning or a closely related field.  One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post high school education.
• Three (3) years of professional experience in business development, economic development, or community development.
• Valid Colorado driver license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working for or with governmental or public sector employers preferred.
• Experience in project management preferred. 
• Experience using marketing and graphic software preferred.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus, especially Spanish.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is generally performed in a controlled-climate, office environment.  
• Occasional work in outside setting with exposure to weather and other environmental factors.
• Frequent reaching, sitting, standing, walking, talking, seeing, hearing, and manual dexterity. 
• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds. 
• An average of 2-3 evening meetings per month, but sometimes more, is required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must pass criminal history check. 
• Must pass motor vehicle check
• Must participate in Town’s Direct Deposit program.

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details necessary to describe the principal function of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility.  It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.   Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or provide relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.

The Town of Wellington is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it is the equal opportunity employment policy of the Town to make all recruitment, hiring, and placement decisions, as well as, other employment decisions on the basis of the qualifications of the individuals considered for the position to be filled, without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex or national origin. 

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

For full consideration, please submit your resume and cover letter to hr@wellingtoncolorado.gov before 11:59pm on Tuesday, July 15th.