District Business Liaison - District 5

The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) is a private nonprofit organization leading the economic revitalization efforts for Detroit the most exciting urban recovery in the country. The DEGC works closely with the City of Detroit and other partners to support existing businesses and bring new companies and investments to the city. DEGC designs and implements innovative solutions that drive investment create jobs and build the economy through solid publicprivate collaborations. The DEGCs commitment to integrity transparency and professionalism permeates the organization and undergirds our stature as the economic development authority for the City. The DEGC provides staff services to Detroits public development authorities including The Downtown Development Authority The Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority The Economic Development Corporation The Eight
Mile Woodward Corridor Improvement Authority the Neighborhood Development Corporation the Local Development Finance Authority and the Tax Increment Finance Authority. DEGC works tirelessly to advocate for inclusion and opportunity for individuals from all walks of life who do business in the City of Detroit. We strive to develop programs that stress economic inclusion for every business within our city from startup to beenup and beyond. Our employees are committed to public service and put the interests of those we serve above self interests. As our main asset it is imperative that our staff is not only diverse but also representative of the population we serve.

Tasks

At the center of Detroits economic revitalization is our robust smallbusiness community. Homegrown restaurants retailers and service providers bring needed goods and services to residents and anchor institutions. Small businesses provide local jobs stabilize neighborhoods and create a sense of community. Blackowned businesses are especially important to an inclusive and accessible economy. DEGCs
Small Business Services Department provides a host of programming to help startups and established small businesses flourish.

The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) is seeking an energetic and skilled individual to fill the role of District Business Liaison (DBL) for Detroit City Council District 5 (map attached) to augment existing economic development activity and programs by acting as a direct resource to area businesses and linking them to
resources that support the growth and longevity of small businesses in the district. The D5 DBL will join a team of small business advocates assigned to various districts across the City of Detroit.

Under the supervision of the Director of the District Business Liaisons DBLs act as connectors by ensuring business owners are linked to tools people programs and resources to help grow and scale their businesses. They serve as the primary navigators assisting business owners through city services and processes that promote regulatory compliance which advances business retention and sustainability. As the small business advocate for the district the DBL will escalate the feedback and concerns of the business owners with local leadership while advocating for additional fair and equitable support measures.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in networking and community events with potential neighborhood small businesses and partners to increase program visibility.
• Submit a monthly report to the SBS Director of Retention and Expansion about the small businesses request trends achievements challenges and support provided.
• Documenting and maintaining records of business visits followup activities and outcomes.
• Boost business owner awareness of potential collaboration with business associations and other opportunities for partnership that can bolster corridor vibrancy and attraction efforts.
• Promote collaboration and networking among business owners that prioritize and cultivate lasting relationships between the DBL and neighborhood businesses.
• Support City officials in districtspecific projects in small business outreach and engagement efforts that impact business corridors.
• Work with DEGC and other economic development and business support partners to tailor programming and support to the needs of neighborhood and small businesses.
• Act as the liaison and facilitator for the district to improve connection and communication between the business owner City departments and other organizations where appropriate.
• Advocate for district businesses by providing owners with referrals to or engaging on their behalf with leaders at the City of Detroit DEGC business support organizations and lending institutions.
• Conduct interviews and checkins with business and property owners to assess business concerns and opportunities.
• Provide DEGC leadership and City staff with realtime awareness and insight on existing or emerging obstacles needs trends and critical challenges that threaten businesses as well as opportunities for growth and expansion in their district.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of programs and resources available to small businesses and provide marketing material and other information on these resources to business owners in their districts as needed.
• Plan organize and perform business visits to determine assistance needs and impacts on economic and business climate environments within their assigned council district.
• Travel frequently (3550% of the work week) around the city for various community or district meetings with business owners and stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 2 5 years of experience in project management economic development community development small business advocacy or related positions demonstrating increasing responsibility.
• Bachelors degree in business management business administration entrepreneurship communications or a related field preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. Experience with public speaking is desirable.
• Familiarity with data management and communication platforms including
  Canva Smartsheet Salesforce Constant Contact or similar platforms.
• Must be comfortable working through ambiguity to find solutions and achieve desired results.
• Well organized with the ability to navigate challenging organizational regulatory and procedural hurdles to produce real results under tight timelines.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines while maintaining
  focus in an environment with conflicting demands and priorities.
• Ability to communicate complex issues and information in a manner that various stakeholders readily understand.
• High cultural competence with a strong awareness and appreciation of cultural ethnic and economic diversity.
• Effective in active listening with the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders and diverse clientele across cultures.
• Strong analytical verbal and organizational skills required. Must be a selfstarter creative thinker and problemsolver who can work with little direct supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate and work effectively with individuals strengthening relationships to achieve the best possible solutions.
• High aptitude for and interest in customer service design thinking and problemsolving.
• Respect for and a genuine interest in advancing the growth of small Detroitbased businesses primarily led by Black people and people of color.
• Ability to engage in frequent independent travel throughout Detroit and attend meetings held during the evening.
• A valid drivers license and reliable transportation are required.