Community Small Business Program Manager

Reports to: Director of Community Development 

FSLA Status: Non-exempt, Full-time 

Compensation Range: $69,000 - $77,000 annually DOE 

General Nature and Scope: 

SCIDpda is seeking a Community Small Business Program Manager to lead the strategy and execution of economic development initiatives and programs that support small businesses in the Chinatown International District (CID). This role will require working collaboratively with other SCIDpda staff, community-based organizations, and multiple funders to increase small business access to resources, information, and programs. Together with the Director of Community Development, this role shall identify and implement programs based on direct outreach & engagement with small businesses, various community plans, and SCIDpda’s strategic plan. This role is highly multilingual (Cantonese or Mandarin required), collaborative, dynamic, and requires strong interpersonal and organizational skills. 

The Chinatown International District (CID) in Seattle is one of the few historic pan-Asian business district in the United States that is still an active immigrant gateway. Approximately 350 out of 450 existing businesses are small, family-owned and operated, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Taiwanese, Korean, Thai, Filipino and Laotian immigrant-founded businesses. Many of these businesses, primarily restaurants and groceries, have been in existence for more than 20 years. These mostly small and immigrant & refugee-owned establishments are an integral factor in preserving, promoting, and developing the CID as a vibrant community and unique ethnic neighborhood. 

Essential Duties: 

Essential duties include the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned depending upon project, client, or work flow needs. 

1. Program Development and Grant Management a. Identify program direction and goals based on direct outreach & engagement with small businesses, various community plans, and SCIDpda’s strategic plan 

b. Manage grants and their related budgets, deliverables, timelines, and reporting requirements that support small business staffing and programs 

c. Maintain positive relationships with existing funders and program partners 

d. Identify and pursue funding opportunities with existing and new funders to sustain SCIDpda’s small business program 

2. Small Business Outreach, Engagement, and Communication a. Collaborate with partners to gather, synthesize, translate, and disseminate relevant information to businesses via Mailchimp newsletter, WeChat, and SMS 

b. Conduct in-person, email, phone and text outreach to CID small businesses. Outreach is both strategic, in support of SCIDpda’s small business development projects, as well as responsive to business owner needs and issues that arise. 

c. Track business needs, follow-up actions, referrals, and services provided through the Salesforce small business database 

d. Create and implement small business engagement framework to measure small business community interest in future projects and programs 

3. Salesforce Database Management a. Lead the strategy, development, and maintenance of a small business database on Salesforce 

b. Manage data quality and create reports to meet grant reporting requirements and show trends 

c. Work across CID Small Business Relief Team (partnership between SCIDpda, Friends of Little Saigon, and the CID Business Improvement Area) to build/improve tools for data entry and organization, organize data entry events, familiarize staff on database, and provide trainings and demonstrations for staff on how to utilize database and input data 

4. Project Management – Manage relationships and logistics with businesses, contractors, and funders to implement various small business initiatives a. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED Improvement Project: coordinate installation and reimbursement of storefront improvements 

b. Façade Lighting Improvement Project: coordinate installation lighting improvements, determine scope and strategy for the refurbishment of neon lighting across the CID 

c. Sound Transit Ballard Link Extension: Organize Sound Transit information sessions for CID business owners with Sound Transit staff. Attend meetings with ST staff and internal strategy meetings. 

d. Coordinate and provide one-on-one staff outreach and grant application assistance to businesses as needed 

5. Establish, strengthen, and maintain positive relationships with program partners. a. Participate in working committees to achieve and advocate for neighborhood goals 

b. Represent Community Initiatives at appropriate meetings, presentations, and public events as needed 

c. Work closely with the City of Seattle, neighborhood organizations, and other institutions to direct resources and support to local businesses 

6. Participate as a member of the Community Initiatives team, providing input and assistance with various projects and events 

7. Other tasks as needed and defined by supervisor 

Qualifications: 

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Competency in written Traditional and/or Simplified Chinese required 

• Ability to translate short paragraphs of text from English to Chinese required (complicated or extra-long texts will be contracted out) 

• Competency in conversational Cantonese and/or Mandarin required 

• Experience with Salesforce or other Client Relationship Management systems highly desirable 

• Strong administrative and organizational skills required 

• Strong interpersonal skills required 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to speak effectively in a variety of situations; write grants, reports, and correspondence, and listen well 

• Experience managing multiple complex grants and budgets and working with funders 

• Ability to collaborate with and facilitate diverse, sometimes contentious stakeholders 

• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and work independently 

• Ability to think creatively and strategically, and to make connections between people and projects 

• Advanced computer skills in standard business software, such as MS Office Suite 

• Knowledge of the Chinatown International District neighborhood highly desirable 

Education and Experience: 

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered. 

• Master’s degree in social science, urban planning, or similar field preferred or at least three to five years of work experience in community development or similar field 

• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and language groups 

• Experience working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment 

Licenses or Certificates: None 

Working Conditions: 

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

• Work is performed in an office environment with a low noise volume. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to read, speak, stand, walk, sit, and use a computer keyboard and monitor 

• Regular contact with people 

• This position is hybrid. Applicants will need to be available to work from SCIDpda’s office one Tuesdays, Thursdays, and additional days, sometimes including weekends, as needed. This position also requires as needed in-person outreach throughout the Chinatown International District neighborhood. A COVID-19 vaccination and masks will be required to work in the office. 

This position description generally describes the principal functions of the position, the level of knowledge and skills typically required, and the general scope of the responsibility. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities and should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individual may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relieve other employees, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload as needed. 

Benefits (according to working hours): 

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance 

• Group Life and Disability Insurance 

• Retirement Plan 

• PTO 

• FSA 

• Bonus 

• Flexible Working Schedule, Hybrid Opportunity 

SCIDpda Mission: To preserve, promote and develop the Seattle Chinatown International District as a vibrant community and unique ethnic neighborhood. 

How to Apply: Applications are due by 12pm noon on Friday, July 10. Please email a cover letter and resume to An Huynh at anh@scidpda.org with Community Small Business Program Manager as the subject line. Cover letter should address an applicant’s experience, qualifications, and reasons they are interested in the position. Only complete applications will be considered. 

5/28/2026