Economic Development Specialist - Town of Manchester

Company Description

The Town of Manchester is a vibrant and diverse community with an array of public services that reflect a set of values shared by its residents and leaders committed to bringing Manchester into the 21st century as an up-and-coming community that cares about its residents, its children, its schools and parks, its roads and utilities, and the health and safety of the Manchester Community.

Town of Manchester’s employees are essential to the town’s ability to provide quality services to the community. It is our goal to attract a diverse, and well-qualified workforce that are representative of our residents to bring their experience and expertise to join our team. 

Come take a look at what is happening in the Town of Manchester https://www.youtube.com/@manchestercttown

Job Description

Essential Job Functions

• Works to ensure Manchester maintains its reputation as a forward-thinking, creative community that is welcoming to innovation and a diverse business community.

• Works to retain existing businesses and assist with expansion and other initiatives.

• Solicit businesses in line with the Plan of Conservation and Development to encourage their location in Manchester. 

• Creates and administers economic development grant and loan programs and other incentives.

• Seeks out, applies for, and manages economic development grant opportunities from the state, federal government, and other entities. 

• Provides staff support to the Economic Development Commission, Redevelopment Agency and other Boards and Commissions as assigned. 

• Builds a network of property owners, real estate agents and developers. 

• Develops and maintains economic development messaging and targeted marketing materials via the Town website, social and other media.

• Assists businesses and developers through the municipal permitting process.

• Coordinates Town efforts with the Downtown Special Services District and WORK_SPACE staff.

• Recommends and assists with coordination of Downtown capital improvements.

• Tracks development interest and success.

Other Job Functions

• Performs professional and administrative work for other projects as assigned.

• Provides guidance related to development incentives, regulations, and application procedures.

• Research and creates reports to keep local officials informed of potential economic development issues, problems, trends, opportunities, and economic indicators.

• Maintains and presents economic data on businesses and commercial real estate.

• Represents Manchester to the business community.

• Addresses business and civic groups on economic development issues.

• Performs other duties as assigned.                                                                                      

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of and experience in management and administration.

• Knowledge of urban planning and/or commercial real estate.

• Proficiency in using various social media for marketing and communications tools.

• Ability to express oneself effectively in both oral and written form.

• The ability and desire to work with people of various cultural backgrounds.

• Strong problem-solving abilities, interpersonal skills, and diplomacy.

• The ability to manage a variety of tasks simultaneously and work on projects with committees or teams.

• The ability to develop a work program and carry out assignments independently in a timely manner.

• The ability to communicate effectively with business owners and the public. The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town officials, staff, and other agencies. 

• The ability to utilize computers for database management, budgeting, and word processing.

• The ability to use computer software programs such as those in the Microsoft Office package, with knowledge of Excel and Word to create reports and documents.

Physical and Mental Effort/Environmental and Working Conditions

• Must be mobile and able to perform moderately difficult manipulative skills such as using a computer.

• Must be able to push/pull/lift objects of less than 20 pounds, and able to sit for prolonged periods.     

• Must be able to see objects closely, as in reading a report.

• Must be able to hear normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering a telephone, and be able to communicate through human speech.

• Must be able to concentrate on fine detail with some interruption, attend to task for more than 60 minutes at a time, and remember multiple assignments for long periods of time.

• Must be able to understand and relate to specific ideas, usually several at a time, and to understand and relate to theories behind several related concepts. 

• Ability to get along with co-workers, supervisors, customers, and the public at large. 

Minimum Training and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Urban Planning, Marketing, Communications, Public Administration or Community or Economic Development or related field and three years’ experience in management, community or economic development, entrepreneurship, real estate and/or business development, urban planning, or related experience.     

• Bilingual preferred but not required.

• Suitable experience may be substituted for educational attainment if deemed appropriated by the General Manager or their designee. 

THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION IS ILLUSTRATIVE. IT IS INTENDED AS A GUIDE FOR PERSONNEL ACTIONS AND MUST NOT BE TAKEN AS A COMPLETE ITEMIZING OF ALL FACETS OF ANY JOB 

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Voluntary Vision Insurance
• 14-Paid Holidays
• Sick Time
• Annual Leave
• Paid Parental Leave
• Defined Contribution Plan with 6% employer match
• Tuition Reimbursment & loan repayment assistance
• Access to fitness center