Director, Mayor's Business Action Team Business Navigator

UNIT & POSITION SUMMARY

The Mayors Business Action Team Business Navigators play a vital role in assisting small businesses with complex cases that require coordination across multiple City departments. They provide hands-on support in all facets of business assistancefrom licensing and permitting to compliancehelping entrepreneurs navigate bureaucratic challenges and connect to the resources they need to grow and thrive in Philadelphia.  The Director for Business Navigators is a management and supervisory role applying strategic planning and project management skills to all assignments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Drives strategic leadership of the Navigators team addressing complex business issues through direct support and cross-agency coordination

Leadership responsibilities include the following:

• • Supervise and support the Business Navigators team
  • Lead ongoing training to streamline case management and ensure consistent high-quality service
  • Strengthen internal communication and improve resolution times for complex multi-agency cases
  • Plan and lead proactive outreach efforts including workshops and public presentations

Additional responsibilities include:

• • Provide one-on -one business assistance
  • Conduct outreach to businesses
  • Establish and maintain partnerships with other city departments
  • Serve as key point of contact for business owners looking for help in navigating City services and regulations.
  • Represent business concerns to other City agencies/departments
  • Record and maintain business contacts and cases in the department database
  • Learn and articulate the steps toward opening a business regulations around permits and licenses and other issues common to businesses operating in Philadelphia.
  • Work closely with other units within Commerce and other City departments i.e. City Planning L&I Revenue Health etc. to assist in implementation of plans for economic development or to find resolutions for outstanding issues.
  • Track the progress of business client services and economic development projects through client management software.
  • Clearly articulate resources and funding sources and refer businesses as appropriate.
  • Represent the Mayors Business Action Team through public speaking engagements presentations and workshops upon request.
  • Contribute to the goals of the Department through creative initiatives that spur economic growth and community vitality.
  • Advocate for business-friendly process improvements while staying aligned with city regulations.

Qualifications :

• • Knowledge of small business operations.
  • Knowledge of City State and Federal economic development programs.
  • Knowledge of private agencies that service the business community through funding technical support and other resources i.e. banks CDFIs Small Business Development Centers neighborhood nonprofits etc.
  • Understanding of the principles and practices of community economic development including but not limited to equitable development inclusive growth community organizing capital improvements real estate development and especially small business needs.
  • Knowledge of outreach/marketing and policy issues that impact small and/or minority owned businesses.
  • Experience with City Contracting and RFP process preferred.
  • Creativity: Be a conduit for innovation and creativity. Encourage your team to share diverse ideas.
  • Planning: Set objectives to hit milestones and achieve goals. Ability to use strong facilitation and problem-solving skills to keep projects moving forward and risk management for inevitable unforeseen obstacles.
  • People Management: Managing and motivating varied personalities and building a cohesive team. A demonstrated ability to work with ethnically and economically diverse populations.
  • Adaptability: Ability to adjust and change direction to achieve goals and remain committed to outcomes
  • Communication: Convey ideas verbally and in writing to explain market and/or achieve buy-in.
  • Vison: Strategic thinking and analytical skills are required in order to anticipate and outline path.
  • Decisiveness: Good judgement and ability to consider all facts and opinions and make confident decisions.
  • Change Management: Strong process orientation and ability to communicate the vision and process for change as needed.
  • Delegation: Ability to delegate difficult tasks and mentor staff to success.
  • Other attributes will include education and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: planning marketing management of a non-profit agency or small business development architecture historic preservation economics public relations promotions special event coordination design planning business or public administration.

Other Requirements

• Must be a US Citizen or have legal permanent resident status.
• Must establish residency in the city of Philadelphia within six months of appointment.

Additional Information :

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter resume and writing sample.

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*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22 2023 vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses doctors emergency medical personnel) must be fully vaccinated.

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No

Employment Type :

Full-time