Business Development Manager/Business Attraction

The City of Avondale's Economic Development Department is now accepting applications for the position of Business Development Manager/Business Attraction.

This recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. Application reviews will begin on June 17th.

The Business Development Manager/Business Attraction, is a proactive and strategic leader responsible for driving new business investment and job creation within the City. This role involves actively recruiting targeted businesses and industries by conducting comprehensive research, developing strategic marketing plans, and generating qualified business leads. The Manager serves as the primary point of contact for prospective businesses, guiding them through the site selection process, securing necessary approvals, and navigating potential challenges. They cultivate strong relationships with site selection firms, developers, brokers, and industry executives, leveraging these connections to showcase the City's competitive advantages. This position requires a deep understanding of market trends, incentive programs, and regulatory processes, and the ability to effectively communicate the City's value proposition through presentations, proposals, and negotiations. The Manager also plays a key role in developing and implementing marketing strategies, managing the prospect pipeline, and representing the city at industry events and trade shows. They collaborate with various city departments to streamline processes, enhance policies, and create a business-friendly environment that fosters sustainable economic growth.

Manages business recruitment by researching companies and industries, developing strategic and marketing plans, identifying and generating business leads, representing the City at trade shows, preparing and providing presentations and proposals, and negotiating agreements on behalf of the City. Creates and maintains relationships with executives, site selectors, brokerage firms, commercial brokers, developers, and landowners.

Assists interested businesses and industries in locating sites, securing City approvals, securing financing, or in working out any other problems involved with relocation or expansion. Research and seek out potential targeted businesses that align with the Citys goals, assets, and strategies.

Serves as the initial contact from project inception to completion for selecting projects, considering Avondale for site location.

Directs City response to requests for information from potential businesses, developers, and consultant groups.

Evaluates types of business for which an Avondale location could be attractive, and their potential for employing residents of the area and/or enhancing the local tax base.

Participate in the long-range planning, development of marketing strategies, and recommendation of goals for business attraction, retention, and assistance efforts.

Develops and maintains assigned prospect pipeline targets to support forecasted goals and objectives. Enters and manages leads and projected activity in the departments CRM.

Executes national and international targeted trade shows and sales missions in alignment with the strategic plan.

Represents the City at various functions such as making speeches at civic and business associations, meeting with influential persons within the community, developers, officials, and citizens to establish goodwill and resolve/respond to issues.

Develops and supports the development of agreements with stakeholders; leads the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, sales and development agreements, and contracts.

Coordinates with Development Services, Planning & Zoning, and Building Safety, Engineering, and Water Resources departments to evaluate and recommend enhancements to current policies and practices, analyze information, and develop proposals to attract businesses.

Develops and implements marketing strategies for assigned industry sectors, including collaborating with the marketing group on the preparation of announcements, marketing materials, and website updates.Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Economic Development, Public Administration, Finance, or similar degree.

Three (3) years of experience in economic development, urban planning, commercial real estate, and/or business development.

Valid Arizona Operators Drivers License is required. Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) certification, Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) certifications, or Economic Development Institute graduate is desirable, but not required. Work requires the ability to read complex legal documents, development agreements and contracts, executive business letters and communications, development-related documents, master plans, design guidelines, construction site plans, budget documents, business magazines, journals, newspapers and technical reports, strategic or operational plans.

Work requires performing general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, college algebra, and statistics.

Work requires the ability to write/communicate with executive management, City Council, and business executives, prepare marketing documents, assist with development agreements, and write concise and professional letters, all at a professional level.

Managerial responsibilities include participating in and leading work teams on crucial issues, such as strategic planning and fiscal management, infrastructure planning and development, and building projects.

Work requires managing and monitoring work performance, making final recommendations on development agreements and other decisions, evaluating program/work objectives and effectiveness, and realigning work and staffing assignments, as needed.

The incumbent is responsible for assisting in developing the departmental budget and may present it to the Finance and Budget Department and Executive Management.

The work is widely varied and involves analyzing and evaluating many complex and significant variables. Organization-wide policies, procedures, or precedents are developed and/or recommended.

The incumbents in this position contact others within the organization. These contacts may involve similar work units or departments within the City, which may be involved in decision-making or providing approval or decision-making authority for purchases or projects. In addition, these incumbents work with individuals outside the City who may belong to professional or peer organizations. The employee may also need to work with various state and federal agencies. Communicates extensively with the Director and colleagues throughout the organization, developers/real estate, external clients, customers, allies, business professionals, government officials, and regional, state, and national personnel. The employee must maintain regular attendance. Ability to meet deadlines and work with a sense of urgency in a constant state of alertness and a safe manner.