Strategic Retention & Growth Manager

Description

Position Summary:

The Business Development Manager is a cross functional position that supports retention and expansion efforts of the Flint and Genesee Economic Alliance. The role exists to build a more vibrant Flint & Genesee County. The Business Development Manager promotes economic development activities with Genesee County businesses.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

· Successfully scheduling and performing Retention Visits with executive leadership, to discuss potential projects, and business challenges

· Managing and building trust with assigned local primary business executives

· Identify and assist at risk companies (facing downsizing, ownership transitions, facility obsolescence, or regulatory hurdles

· Identify and assist expanding local companies with industrial site identification, zoning/permitting assistance, and local incentive packaging

· Navigate local and state economic development programs (e.g., tax abatements, job creation grants, infrastructure assistance

· Work closely with local city officials, planning departments, utility providers, and transit authorities to remove regulatory barriers or infrastructure delays for local businesses

· Work closely with resource providers such as talent/workforce, trade, procurement, and technical assistance organizations

· Evaluate corporate needs across talent/workforce availability, supply chain constraints, infrastructure/utility requirements, and capital financing

· Identify and manage projects and active investment timelines using CRM platform (Hub Spot)

· Educate area business representatives on the focus and mission of the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance

· Organize sector specific peer networks (e.g., manufacturing alliances, tech round tables) to foster peer-to-peer learning and collective problem-solving

· Coordinate with all divisions of the Flint & Genesee Group to receive and make referrals as appropriate

· Identify and implement appropriate responses to request meetings with clients

· Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director of Business Services

Requirements

Knowledge, Experience, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated track record in excellent customer service
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration preferred or equivalent experience in a related position
• Professional experience in business development or economic development e.g. finance, site selection, workforce development, collaborating and marketing real estate, tax incentives, and workforce dynamic preferred
• Acts with personal, professional, and behavioral integrity
• Ability to work well with diverse groups at all levels
• Ability to demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills to effectively convey ideas, information, and instruction to visitors, colleagues, and management
• Ability to present with impact
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport, work effectively and thrive in a collaborative team-based, on positive work environment
• Detail oriented and able to prioritize and support multiple projects and tasks
• Ability to work independently, manage time and tasks well, and solve problems effectively
• Demonstrate an understanding of planning, organizing, delegating, directing, and controlling work tasks
• Ability to adhere to priorities, meet multiple deadlines and effectively present and explain complex information
• Proficient in operating computer processing systems with an aptitude for learning new technologies and ability to manage technological tools relevant to position and industry.
• Should be comfortable participating in virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and/or Google Meet
• Reliable transportation for offsite meetings required
• Local travel to offsite locations required

Flint & Genesee Group Mission, Vision,…