Business Development Division Director

Position Title:

Business Development Division Director

Job Description:

We are looking for a Business Development Division Director to support our Economic Development Department.

About the Position:

This position focuses on promoting business development and attracting, retaining, and supporting a diverse range of businesses, including small, medium, and large enterprises, private corporations, and international trade opportunities. This position will also focus on program processes for the Economic Development Loan Fund (EDLF), Construction Mitigation Grants and additional programs and processes that may need to be developed for the Department of Economic Development.

You’ll work with local business leaders, elected officials, and organizations such as the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) and the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCU), the Utah Alliance of Economic Development, and diverse and ethnic chambers, to develop and support initiatives that strengthen our economy and enhance business opportunities for all.

This is an appointed, at-will position without tenure and exempt from the career service system.

Position Salary Range:

E35 - $92,185/yr. - $125,894/yr.

The established market rate for this position is $125,894/yr.

This position is eligible for full city benefits, including: 

• Health Insurance (95% of premium paid by city) 

• Dental, Vision and Life Insurance 

• Paid vacation and personal leave 

• Six to twelve weeks of paid parental leave from day 1 of employment 

• Retirement contributions toward a pension plan and/or 401(k) 

• A robust Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) 

• Up to $4,000 tuition reimbursement annually 

• Discounted supplemental benefits like pet insurance and legal services 

Learn more about our benefits here: https://www.slc.gov/hr/benefits-and-wellness/.

IMPORTANT: Early application submittal is encouraged. This position will close on Monday, April 21, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (MST).

Key Responsibilities:

• Working with the Director of Economic Development or designee, to executes the City’s business development efforts, including: Establishes and aligns program goals, services and objectives with the City’s mission and vision for business & economic development. Under the direction of the Director of Economic Development or designee modifies and adapts plans, goals and objectives, as necessary, in response to changing business and economic conditions.

• Recommends policies, projects, strategies and programs which guide businesses towards the City’s priorities for sustainability and racial and regional equity.

• Analyzes existing economic situations relative to business attraction and expansion; reviews modern techniques and equitable economic opportunities for business attraction and retention, negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues; monitors program performance and regularly reports the status to the department director or designee.

• Facilitates the strategic efforts necessary to resolve complex and high-level business development concerns relating to internal and external stakeholders. Make recommendations of strategies to resolve complex and high-level business development issues to the Director of Economic Development or designee.

• Establishes positive working relationships and coalitions with appropriate private sector, non-profit and public organizations, including: federal, state, and local agencies; the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED); the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCU) Ethnic and Diverse Chambers of Commerce and non-profits that work with diverse communities in the area of economic opportunities.  Builds and develops opportunities to bring companies into Salt Lake City that are complementary to the local economy and local culture of our city.

• Builds and supports a strong business and economic development team with diverse backgrounds and expertise in various aspects of economy including small businesses, private sector corporations, international trade, and cultural economies.

• Aligns Salt Lake City with the state’s focus on sustainable innovation in target industries for the City.

• Creates tools to educate and inform internal and external stakeholders about the work, programs, and mission of the Department of Economic Development/Opportunities

• Oversees Business Development staff.

• Works collaboratively with other departments to assist businesses challenges to navigate the City’s framework/departments. 

• Meets established economic and business development objectives and customer expectations by guiding and making timely decisions that produce high-quality results after applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

• Establishes policy and procedures relating to business development services; coordinates activities and services between agencies; and delivers services through agreements with other governmental and private sector entities with a priority being placed on economic mobility for SLC residents through all areas of business development activities and opportunities.

• Develops long and short-range plans in cooperation with agency directors.

• Monitors performance of all agency functions and conducts program effectiveness reviews.

• Responds and tracks public inquiries.

• May serve on state and local committees related to business development and opportunities functions.

• Guides the development and installation of systems, procedures, and controls, to promote communication, track metrics, and adequate information flow, and thereby solidify management control and direction of the organization. Ensures the timely and effective tracking of allocated resources, responsibilities and timelines associated with department objectives; assists with monitoring progress on metrics.

• Establishes and reviews on an ongoing basis programs and projects processes to ensure high level execution of these programs.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, Finance, or a related field plus ten years of progressively responsible related work experience, including senior level management and background with small businesses or large corporation(s).

• Proven record of achievement building a strong economic and business community, especially in support of small business. Outstanding knowledge and ability to work collaboratively with the business community, apply established economic development principles, and implement best practices relating to urban design, redevelopment, and/or economic development.

• Extensive ability and experience to lead change and people in a large, multi-faceted organization; ability to successfully achieve organizational, customer service goals, and manage financial and information resources strategically.

• A demonstrated history of creative leadership and ability to create and implement operational objectives in a successful manner.

• Ability to travel from one work locations to another.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An established record of strategic thinking; demonstrated capacity to foresee the consequences of decisions to the future reality of the City and the capability of assisting City leadership as that vision is refined. 

• An experienced professional who expects to be held accountable and will, in turn, hold others accountable for outcomes; an aptitude for transparency and openness.

• An individual who is creative, resilient, straightforward, and self-confident; with strong communication skills highlighted by tact and diplomacy. Demonstrated enthusiasm and energy.

• Strong professional writing skills.

• Strong presentation skills before public bodies, small businesses, corporate entities, and diverse and ethnic audiences including, but not limited to chambers and businesses.

• The aptitude and motivation for transparency and openness; the talent to understand politics, while not being personally involved. A willingness to challenge established thinking will be important.

• Speaks Spanish fluently.

• A Masters or other advanced degree.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. 

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of a criminal background check in accordance with City policy and applicable law.  Criminal offenses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and do not automatically disqualify a candidate from City employment. 

Position Type:

Full-time

Department:

Economic Development

Full Time/Part Time:

Full time

Scheduled Hours:

40