Hybrid Business Development Coordinator (FT) - Community Development at City of Brooklyn Park, MN
City of Brooklyn Park, MN · Brooklyn Park, United States Of America · Hybrid
- Professional
- Office in Brooklyn Park
About the Department
The City of Brooklyn Park's Economic Development & Housing team seeks a Business Development Coordinator. The successful candidate will build partnerships, possess strong writing skills, contribute to a skilled team, strive for professional growth, and demonstrate a passion for serving the community.
Located in the northwest corner of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul region, Brooklyn Park, a fast-growing, innovative city, offers personal and professional opportunity. More than 86,000 people call Brooklyn Park home. Our community boasts the second most diverse community in the state with over 60-percent of our residents from communities of color, 22-percent foreign born, and 10-percent from Liberia. Together we form a close-knit community of strong, stable neighborhoods served by conveniently located shops, parks, and natural amenities. Our neighborhoods include a wide selection of housing options for our existing and future residents.
Businesses thrive in Brooklyn Park. Our Business Community supports 1,700 local, national and global companies driving some of the fastest business growth in Minnesota, with 100+ restaurants. Job growth in our community outpaces the county average. With more than 1,000 acres of undeveloped land, Brooklyn Park continues to see more residents and businesses choosing our community every year!
The Business Development Coordinator develops, implements, and manages complex business, and economic development policies, projects and programs. The Business Development Coordinator acts as the first point of contact for businesses seeking to locate or expand in Brooklyn Park. This position provides guidance to businesses through City approval processes. This position will update and lead the City's business retention & expansion program, plan and implement the Business Forward Forum, keep business-oriented communications up to date, lead, manage, and facilitate the city’s Development Corporation and develop policy recommendations to meet the City's small business engagement and growth goals and economic inclusion goals.
The Business Development Coordinator works within the Economic Development & Housing team to develop comprehensive community development strategies focused on the fostering and inclusion of community members in business subsidy programs, expanding access to loans and capital to a broader segment of the community, and improved quality of life for all Brooklyn Park residents.
The position collaborates with all City departments, generates new ideas and programs, and demonstrates the viability of these ideas to carry out the development and redevelopment goals and objectives of the City Council and the Economic Development Authority. It requires a high level of critical thinking, creative problem solving, and innovation.
Position Duties
Develop policies and plans related to business subsidy, business support, and relationship development that advances economic inclusion, the growth of small businesses, and the success of residents seeking to start and grow businesses
Administers contract management
Support the technical assistance and programming of the small business center and other small business support programs
Serves as the liaison between City and business community, and responds to business, developer, and public questions related to business development information
Provides leadership and project management to business development projects
Interacts and negotiates real estate transactions, obtaining external financing, and business contracts on behalf of City and EDA (grants, loans, etc.)
Manages the technical assistance and programming of the small business center and other small business support programs
Provides staff support for the Economic Development Authority (EDA), Brooklyn Park Development Corporation, chamber engagement and Business Council
Provides information to the general public, civic groups and industry organizations
Facilitates and/or participates in organizational development teams and events, internal meetings to support a high performing organization, and external meetings to support the City's community engagement work
Assists with the development of short and long term division plans, policies, procedures and priorities
Coordinates, hosts, and attends events in support of the business community
Performs other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in economic development, planning, urban studies or other related field
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in the field of business development, community development, economic development, redevelopment, business financing, or related field
Licenses/Certifications
Valid driver's license
Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to work with federal, state, and local economic development programs and pursue funding through grants
Passion for community and curiosity to identify and solve complex community issues
Understanding of economic development financing tools including loan and public incentive programs such as tax increment financing, tax abatement, Minnesota Investment Fund, Job Creation Fund, SBA 504 loans, revenue bonds, and small business leading
Understanding of real estate development process and finance including understanding of development operating and capital proformas
Contract negotiation, execution, and management
Effective written and oral communication skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications and programs
Ability to manage workflow and meet deadlines
Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets or exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction
- Proven ability and demonstrated commitment to an inclusive workplace related to racial equity, diversity and inclusion
Embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement
Desired Qualifications
- Master's degree in economic development, planning, urban studies
- National Development Council certification
- Experience in business financing and project management
- Experience in program development
- Experience working with people from various cultural, socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds
- Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Lao or Vietnamese language(s)
Working Conditions:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully and safely perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to fully and safely perform the essential duties.
- Core business hours are set by departments based on operational needs. Alternative schedules can be arranged, but must comply with the City’s Alternative Work Arrangement policy.
- Monday – Friday, normal business hours with evening meetings approximately 2 times a month
Position is an exempt, full-time, benefited, non-union position
Office environment; exposure to computer screens; working closely with others, frequent interruptions.
May be exposed to dealing with irrational people.
Background Check
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check are necessary for this job title. Applicants must sign an informed consent allowing the City to obtain their criminal history information in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be considered for the position.
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience, oral examination and/or written supplemental questionnaire. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process.
Brooklyn Park is a thriving northwestern suburb of Minneapolis and the sixth largest city in the state with over 86,000 residents and 30,000 jobs. As the 6th fastest growing city in Minnesota, the city has become even more vibrant because of our remarkable racial and cultural diversity. Approximately 60 percent of our residents are people of color, 22 percent are foreign-born, and more than a quarter speak a language other than English at home.
Other Qualifications
Resume/Cover Letter Requested: To help us evaluate candidates' education, experience and skills, we are asking all candidates to provide a resume and cover letter for this position.
Department/Division: Community Development/Economic Development & Housing
We welcome applications from all individuals, including (but not limited to): people of all abilities, persons of color, Veterans, LGBTQ+ and women. If you need these materials in an alternate format or if you have a disability-related need and need assistance with the application process, please contact Human Resources at either 763-493-8016 or via e-mail at [email protected].
