Summary:  Under general supervision of the EDC Senior Vice-President, the EDC Director of Business Retention and Expansion is responsible for implementing an effective business retention and expansion program.  Incumbent may be required to perform position-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description.

Essential Job Functions:

• Develops and implements programs that promote existing business retention and expansion.
• Identifies and visits businesses at-risk and potential businesses for retention and expansion assistance.
• Collects data, screen and qualify retention and expansion projects for drafting Proposals and Agreements.
• Tracks existing business news, feedback and responses.
• Communicates business issues and opportunities with appropriate entities for assistance.
• Provides assistance when appropriate to existing businesses.
• Assists in monitoring Performance Agreement compliance with existing businesses.
• Assists businesses with expansion plans and issues of concern.
• Assists business recruitment activities, partnering internally as a part of the Business Development Team and Marketing and Communications Team to support and deliver lead generation initiatives, including supporting and attending recruitment missions.
• Collaborates with local and regional agencies to implement welcome program for new corporations, talent attraction initiatives, and execute on partnership agreements.
• Prepares and implements special projects as assigned.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with vendors, customers, other agencies and EDC staff.

  Other Important Duties:

• Attends and represents the FEDC at certain events, functions, meetings and conferences.
• Attends City events on evenings and weekends.
• Travels to attend meetings, conferences and training.

• May be required to work extended hours, evenings and weekends.
  • Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work hours is essential.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Principles and practices of public relations, including methods of research, development and implementation.
• Principles and practices of economic development.
• City and department management policies and procedures.
• Professional customer service practices and procedures.
• Proficient use of computers and related equipment, hardware and software applicable to area of assignment.
• Strong and effective oral and written communications.
• Appropriate handling of politically sensitive and confidential information.
• Organize, prioritize, track and manage multiple assignments and tasks.
• Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.
• Complete assignments with limited direction and supervision.
• Work well within a team and with group problem solving situations; use reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Exhibit sound, accurate judgment and explain reasoning for decisions; include appropriate people in decision making process.
• Effectively negotiate.
• Define problems and generate creative solutions
• Attention to detail.
• Work under deadlines and stressful situations.
• Resolve problems quickly and effectively.

Required Education, Training, Experience, Certificates, and/or Licenses:

·      Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Public Administration or related field, and minimum of ten (10) years of increasingly responsible experience in economic development or marketing/communications or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• May be required to have specialized certification depending on area of assignment.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check and MVR check.
• Must possess valid State of Texas Drivers License.