Manager or Director of Business Retention & Expansion

Position Title: Manager or Director of Business Retention & Expansion, Depending on Experience

Position Classification: Full-Time (FLSA Exempt)

Reports to: President & Chief Executive Officer

Applications Accepted: October 6th to 19th or Until Position Filled

Location: 200 W. College Ave, Normal, IL 61761

About the EDC:

The vision of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council (BNEDC) is to be the leader of a prosperous, resilient regional economy that creates economic opportunity for all. We are a public-private partnership that provides vision for and guides private sector investments in McLean County to grow the local economy, create economic opportunity, and broaden the tax base. We do this as a private sector organization steering private sector development to successful outcomes through leadership, awareness, advice, negotiation, data, and incentives. Our Core Values are:

• Bold: We embrace opportunity and think big.
• Nimble: We adapt quickly to meet the moment.
• Engaged: We build meaningful long-term relationships.
• Driven: We pursue excellence in all we do.
• Collaborative: We achieve success by working together.

If you share these values we strongly encourage you to apply!

About the Position:

If you have a passion for business, relationships, and project management then this is the career for you! The right person for this role is a self-starter who strives for excellence and enjoys process-driven results. You’ll be at the forefront of local economic growth efforts that aim to create economic opportunity for all.

The Manager or Director of Business Retention & Expansion leads strategic efforts to support the growth, success, and long-term sustainability of businesses throughout the region. This role develops and executes comprehensive retention and expansion initiatives, builds strong relationships with existing businesses, identifies opportunities and challenges, and connects companies with resources and partners that support continued investment and job growth.

The position also supports incentive and project/site management, developing and implementing strong processes to ensure program success. Site readiness is a key responsibility for the position to ensure existing sites are ready for development and curating new and/or improved sites. Success in the role requires strong relationship-building, project management, problem-solving, and process-oriented skills, along with a passion for supporting the Bloomington-Normal business community.

Business Retention & Expansion (50%)

• Retention – builds relationships with existing business and collaborates with partners to address barriers to continued success and retention. This includes coordinating business visits, surveys, and other engagement opportunities.
• Expansion – identifies opportunities for existing business expansion and collaborates with partners to support their growth.
• Resources – connects businesses with resources and partners that support their needs.
• Strategy – leads business retention and expansion strategy development.
• Entrepreneurship – leads efforts to develop and support the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Enterprise Zone Management (25%)

• Customer Service – provides guidance to businesses seeking to utilize the local enterprise zone.
• Applications – services applications for building materials sales tax exemptions.
• Monitoring and Reporting – monitors and produces reports on local enterprise zone utilization.

Project/Site Management (15%)

• Project Management – manages all aspects of the project management system.
• Site Management – manages all sites utilizing LOIS software including ensuring accuracy, responding to queries, and furthering site readiness.
• Requests for Information (RFIs) – responds to indirect RFIs from the Illinois EDC and direct RFIs from prospective businesses, developers, and site selectors.

Community Development Corporation (10%)

• Administration – handles the administrative aspects of the CDC, a separate 501(c)3 entity from the EDC.
• Commercial Lease Grant Program – manages all aspects of the Commercial Lease Grant Program including customer service, applications, and monitoring/reporting.

Education and Experience:

• Director-level requires a Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 5 years of related experience.
• Manager-level requires a Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 3 years of related experience.
• Relevant degrees/fields include but are not limited to Urban Planning, Project Management, Communications, Economic Development, Public Administration, and Business Administration.
• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) or OU Economic Development Institute (OU EDI) completed or in progress preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
• Experience preferred in economic development, business retention and expansion, entrepreneurship, real estate, project management, relationship building or any other similar combination of experience.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent communication skills, especially through writing including grammar and proofing.
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient with time management and prioritization.
• Proficient in customer relationship management systems.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite including SharePoint, Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Working knowledge of commercial real estate management.
• Working knowledge of project management.
• Working knowledge of incentive and grant management.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to think and execute strategically.
• Ability to solve problems and take initiative.
• Comfortable with public speaking.

Physical Requirements:

• Attendance at morning or evening meetings/events outside normal business hours is required.
• Ability to travel extensively and must possess a valid driver’s license and transportation.
• Ability to work at a desk on a computer for prolonged periods.
• Ability to lift up to 35lbs.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Starting base salary range is competitive at $65,000 to $85,000.
• SIMPLE IRA provided with 100% employer match up to 3% of salary.
• Health Insurance offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Vision Insurance offered through VSP.
• Dental Insurance offered through Principal.
• Life Insurance & Disability Insurance provided with 100% of cost covered by employer.
• Flex Spending Account (FSA) options provided to use pre-tax dollars for eligible health and dependent care expenses.
• Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) and leave benefits provided.
• Regular work hours are 8:30am-4:30pm with reduced summer Fridays ending at 2:30pm.

Pay: $65,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Economic development: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000 - $85,000