Senior Analyst Small Business Economic Development Analyst

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Economic Development Senior Analyst for our Small Business Development (SBD) Division, which helps Raleigh’s small businesses grow and thrive by offering funding, best practices, market data, tools and workforce development resources. SBD connects, strengthens, and inspires Raleigh’s small business community. This role will emphasize outreach including data collection and analysis, will raise awareness of SBD and small business resources, manage grant contracts, and oversee the alignment and functions of workforce development resources. The Economic Development Senior Analyst will engage directly with small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, offering strategic solutions to broadly serve 20,000+ small businesses across Raleigh—including universal online solutions and collaboration with various business support organizations with their own small business networks. The role will also serve as a connector and collaborator with regional workforce development organizations.

About You

The successful candidate will bring their small business passion and expertise in outreach, engagement, contract grant management, workforce development resources, and partnership to guide the Small Business Development division in their outreach and advocacy efforts. This candidate has a proven track record of highly effective communication, problem solving, proactiveness, strategic initiatives, and credibility within the small business community. We are looking for an engaging, energetic, and innovative small business expert who delivers results and is ready to take our Small Business Development team to the next level.

About Us

The Department of Economic & Social Advancement (ESA) is dedicated to cultivating strong partnerships both within our organization and throughout the Raleigh community. Our unwavering commitment is to cultivate a thriving work and community environment where every individual is not only valued but also respected. The Department of Economic & Social Advancement oversees strategy, programming, and projects related to social cohesion and economic development opportunities through our Business Engagement & Opportunities Program, Small Business Development, and Community Relations divisions. Through education/awareness, policy development, assessment, and action planning for issues related to community needs, local government partnerships, and economic growth, ESA is charged with identifying opportunities and implementing practices that advance the City of Raleigh in its economic and social cohesion efforts.

Responsibilities

• Programs
  • Leads the City’s Façade Rehabilitation Grant Program, including application intake and vetting, committee review and selection, program management of key compliance deliverables, and periodic onsite inspections
  • Provides administrative support for City Business Investment Grant program, coordinating with City Manager’s Office and Budget Management Services (mainly invoice processing)
  • Develops Process Documentation for assigned programs, which defines procedures, decision criteria, and deliverables; the resulting Process Document will enable cross training and Continuous Improvement
• Partnerships
  • Supports and collaborates with Raleigh’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, including Business Alliances, Entrepreneurial Support Organizations, Co-Working/Maker spaces, Financial and Educational Institutions, and other relevant business support organizations
  • Strengthens ties and identifies new opportunities with Workforce Development partners, including Capital Area Workforce Development, Wake Tech entrepreneurial development, and area Universities and Colleges
  • Strengthens ties and identifies new opportunities with main street entrepreneurial co-working and co-making spaces, as well as main street entrepreneurial accelerators and incubators, from the perspective of Workforce Development and training
• Resources and Tools
  • Collaborates closely with ESA Department Communications Analyst to boost awareness of SBD programs, partners, resources, tools, and events available to small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs; includes content input and coordination of Monthly Small Business Newsletter, SBD Annual Report, Partner Event Calendar, Business Resource Guide, Small Business startup resources, online SBD home page and resource pages, and other supporting collateral
  • Supports the coordination and publication of periodic program reports, information resources, and the annual Small Business Resource Guide
  • Contributes to the economic development content on the City’s website and social media
  • Leverages existing and emerging technologies for small business support, including SizeUP market data and best practices, Neighborly grant management platform, video tutorials, and potential future CRM, GIS, chatbot, and AI solutions
  • Develops tailored workforce development resources through the established partnerships designed to meet the demands of the small, growing, emerging, and under-capitalized businesses
• Outreach and Engagement
  • Coordinates and supports SBD public events, including cross-division events within ESA, and cross-department events within the city; also includes coverage at partner events; coverage will include some off-shift and weekend events, some lasting up to a full business day
  • Leads and participates in the recently implemented SBD Outreach initiatives (District Walks and Office Hours), including scheduling, logistics, data collection and reporting
  • Utilizes persuasive communication, engagement, negotiation and follow-through to increase business support, participation, and trust in City processes and programs
  • Required to travel throughout the city to attend and participate in outreach initiatives and events
• Strategic
  • Manages assigned programs in alignment with the City’s Economic Development Strategy as adopted in the Comprehensive Plan and the Economic Development and Innovation Strategies identified in the City’s Strategic Plan
  • Applies Economic Development best practices to further City goals (for example IEDC, NCEDA, others)
  • Supports assigned City Strategic Plan Initiative Team activities and deliverables
  • Identifies opportunities to develop and grow small businesses throughout Raleigh; collaborates with organizations, small businesses, and residents to promote and sustain jobs and economic advancement for residents of Raleigh
• Other Duties
  • As a Senior Analyst, inspires, guides, and supports SBD team in times of supervisor absence
  • Fields, addresses, and refers incoming service requests from small businesses
  • Administration of SBD Division P-Card: purchasing, expenses, recordkeeping, reporting
  • Supports broader ESA Departmental goals and collaborations as required

Qualifications

• Education and Experience
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, or related field; 3 to 5 years’ experience in finance, business, economics, grant management, or a related field
  • OR any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted
• Licenses or Certifications
  • Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire
• Preferred Qualifications
  • 5 years of community economic development experience, especially with Small Businesses
  • 2 to 4 years’ experience leading, working in, or advocating for small businesses
  • 2 to 4 years’ experience working with non-profits or local government
  • IEDC Professional Certification (CEcD or EDP)
  • Business experience/acumen is a plus

Work Hours

This position is required to attend, lead, or support evening and weekend activities as needed.