Downtown Development Authority Deputy Director chez Royal Oak, City of (MI), MI

About the Department

Position Duties

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
The DDA Deputy Director is responsible for supporting the Executive Director and overseeing the daily operations of the Downtown Development Authority. This position includes leading the DDA’s business engagement program and implementing recruitment and retention strategies. The Deputy is expected to proactively engage downtown stakeholders and help maintain a high-performance downtown environment through data-driven outreach, promotional coordination, and customer service.
The Deputy performs a variety of routine and complex administrative and technical tasks in order to ensure the implementation of the DDA’s Retention/Recruitment Program, its Marketing/Promotions/Special Event Activities, Public Relations and other related duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and manage a system for logging and analyzing business retention and recruitment activities to inform strategic decision-making and policy recommendations.
Oversee the implementation and use of a customer relationship management (CRM) system to track contacts, outcomes, and engagement efforts with downtown businesses. Lead the DDA's business engagement program, maintaining strong relationships with local business owners and operators through regular outreach and strategic support. Develop and implement a Business Relations Program that mirrors employee engagement principles to support downtown businesses across their lifecycle. This includes onboarding new businesses, celebrating anniversaries, maintaining a business recognition system, and facilitating regular engagement touchpoints such as surveys, roundtables, and networking events.

A DDA Deputy Director may be called upon to do any or all of the following: (This position conducts the following activities and tasks under the direction and supervision of the Executive Director of the DDA. These examples do not include all of the tasks the employee may be expected to perform.)

• Develops short and long-range plans and/or needs assessments related to the duties and responsibilities outlined below.
• Provides technical assistance to the DDA’s three Committees; Promotions (Marketing/Special Events), Business Marketing Development (recruitment/retention), and Infrastructure as needed. 
• Assist in the development and maintenance of a comprehensive inventory of buildings and sites within the Central Business District (CBD).
• Assist and encourage improvements to the downtown community’s ability to carry out joint activities such as promotional events, advertising, appropriate store hours, special events, business assistance, and business recruitment. Encourage a cooperative climate among downtown interests, including but not limited to the Chamber of Commerce, Royal Oak Restaurant Association, Royal Oak Association of Retailers, Farmers Market and others.
• Ensure the creation of promotional materials that aggressively recruit businesses targeted by the DDA and that diversify and complement the existing mix.
• Conduct retention visits with existing businesses to establish activities or programs that will benefit or assist them in order to maintain or grow those businesses in the downtown.
• Conduct recruitment visits with target businesses to discuss the benefits and opportunities of locating in downtown Royal Oak.
• Provide the DDA (and other groups as needed) with a summary report of findings from retention and attraction visits with businesses.
• Greet all new businesses that open downtown and provide them with a packet of information regarding the City/Downtown. As the "Welcome Wagon,” the Deputy Director shall attempt to interview every business entering or leaving downtown to determine the cause or issue that led to its decision and shall report this information to the DDA at least on a biannual basis.
• Submit biannual summary reports of all conferences, standing committee meetings, and other activities attended.
• Submit biannual updates and results of projects, surveys, special events and marketing efforts.
• Identify other potential funding or resource opportunities other than those currently utilized by the DDA.
• Direct and supervise all Contractors hired by the DDA to complete tasks associated with the duties of the Deputy Director.
• Ensure items for DDA consideration are prepared and submitted to the DDA Executive Director in time for distribution to the Board as part of its meeting packets.
• Make public presentations before city boards, commissions, community groups, civic organizations, and the General Public.
• Post and maintain regular office hours as required by the DDA.
• Shall accept other responsibilities as may be directed by the DDA Board, City Manager or DDA Executive Director.
• Serves as a liaison between the Downtown Development Authority, the city, the Chamber of Commerce and other public and private entities interested in downtown revitalization.

Minimum Qualifications

A DDA Deputy Director, upon application, shall have the following training and experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university, with specialization in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration or a closely related field preferred.
2. Significant private, public and non-profit sector fund raising experience.
3. Licenses: A valid motor vehicle operator's permit.

• Demonstrated experience in business recruitment and retention, preferably in a downtown or commercial district setting.
• Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) systems and business engagement tracking tools.
• Education and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: commercial district management, economics, finance, public relations, marketing, business administration, public administration, retailing, volunteer or non-profit administration and/or small business development.
• Be sensitive to and understand the issues confronting downtown businesses, people, property owners, public agencies and community organization.
• Knowledge of budgeting and accounting practices and fund-raising procedures.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships within the community.
• Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with representatives of business, government, community groups and members of the public.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communications skills include the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Must be able to attend evening and weekend meetings and events as required.
• Public speaking and consensus building skills.
• Must be well organized and self-motivated.

Other Qualifications

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