Small Business Assistance Program Manager

About the role

The City of Redmond is a thriving, culturally diverse community and home to over 80,000 residents. In this role, you will represent the City and its values of service, integrity, accountability, belonging, and stewardship. You will lead the small business assistance program, including development and implementation of strategic communication and engagement of small businesses. This position collaborates with various small business assistance partners and is responsible for the development and oversight of small business assistance programs, including business displacement monitoring and solution implementation. You will also lead small business data analysis and trend reporting to inform recommendations for additional assistance and programming to help Redmond’s small businesses start, grow, and thrive.

Responsibilities

• Leads and implements small business strategic communications and outreach, including a monthly newsletter, web content, and partner communications.
• Leads small business engagement through monthly office hours, small business walks, focus groups, and surveys.
• Manages the City’s Business Retention and Expansion visitation program.
• Coordinates with internal and external partners to resolve business issues and lead cross-departmental project teams.
• Collaborates with the Tourism Program to implement promotions and programs supporting businesses.
• Builds effective relationships with the small business support ecosystem and actively manages contracts and programs, including Startup425, SBDC, OneRedmond, One Eastside, Community Based Organizations, ADO Community Business Connector Program, and others.
• Monitors and reports on business displacement risks in Redmond, researches solutions, and provides recommendations.
• Coordinates business district development work in Overlake, Marymoor, and Downtown Redmond.
• Produces reports and presentations on the city’s small business assistance work, including metrics and outcomes.
• Monitors, maintains, and administers assigned budget for programs; researches funding sources and/or applies for grants, including determining needs and writing proposals.
• Evaluates program performance against established goals, policies, and City initiatives; analyzes effectiveness of assigned programs.
• Researches, analyzes, and prepares recommendations or reports on programs for the City leadership team, City Council, other agencies, community members, and/or business groups.
• Supports the Economic Development Division Manager to implement strategies within the Economic Development plan.
• Researches, develops, and recommends improvements to existing policies, processes, and procedures.

Requirements

• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in a program-related field, or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Public sector experience preferred.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s license required; accommodations may be considered depending on assignment or circumstances.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance: Choice of two plans (Premera or Kaiser Permanente) for employees and eligible dependents; all employee healthcare premiums paid by the City of Redmond.
• Prescription Drug Insurance: Included with each medical plan.
• Dental Insurance: For employees and eligible dependents.
• Vision Insurance: For employees and eligible dependents.
• Other Insurance: Life, accidental death & dismemberment, short- and long-term disability, and optional employee-paid voluntary life insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: For tax savings on healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Paid Vacation & Holidays: 13 paid holidays per year.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Retirement Plans: Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) plus additional options, including Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (Social Security replacement plan) and MetLife 457 Plan.
• Annual COLA adjustments.
• Annual merit increases of up to 5%.