Office of Small Business Manager

Summary

This position oversees the business community engagement and strategic initiatives that support Portland's small business ecosystem. The manager co-lead supports the City of Portland's Office Small Business and is responsible for creating and maintaining navigation pathways and relationships with City of Portland partners, policymakers, and regulatory agencies that impact small business success. This position will also serve as an ambassador for the new office, maintaining key relationships with private and public sector stakeholders, while ensuring small businesses are aware of and able to access appropriate resources. Alongside the Entrepreneurship and Community Economic Development Manager (ECED), the joint SBO team is responsible for programs, partnerships, and business development that support inclusive entrepreneurship and innovation, small business growth, community capacity building, and increased access to middle wage jobs for priority communities.

Functions and Responsibilities

• Oversees and leads team in the development and implementation of strategies and relationship building that foster small business success across the City of Portland.
• Leading Business Development, expansion, retention, of small businesses, data management,
• Visibility and Ambassador, leading navigation team on engagement, excellent service
• Serves as a strategic thought partner that ensures the prioritization of a social and racial equity perspective in projects, programs, and initiatives.
• Coaches, mentors, and empowers direct reports; manages staff performance and supports staff development.
• Provides strategic direction and oversight for community-led, community-driven economic development initiatives that build neighborhood capacity, promote the growth of neighborhood small businesses, connect residents to employment, and steer local development towards community-desired solutions.
• Provides strategic direction and oversight for inclusive entrepreneurial and small business programs that support the growth of diverse start-ups and emerging Portland-based companies.
• Nurtures and develops local and national strategic partnerships that enhance impact of work (e.g., City Council, state agencies, higher education institutions, regional economic development organizations, business and industry associations etc.).
• In coordination with the Director of Economic Development, provides overall strategic direction and methodology for Prosper Portland's community economic development programs, policies, and initiatives that deliver on agency goals and objectives.
• Participates in the identification and/or resolution of key internal and external policy issues and matters affecting the Economic Development Department and the agency.
• Oversees the development, monitoring, and management of team's annual budget utilizing Tax Increment Financing (TIF), general funds, Community Development Block Grants and other resources; leads efforts to secure non-TIF operating funds.
• Partners on programs, projects, initiatives, and opportunities with other Prosper Portland teams, including business finance products, commercial affordability, business development, public benefit agreements, and workforce development initiatives.
• Oversees measurement and performance of initiatives and programs including the development, evaluation, and refinement of metrics to track and monitor impact of work.
• Represents the department and the agency on a wide range of technical and policy matters with projects/programs, committees, task forces, City Council, press and public relations matters, etc.
• Serves as authority and resource within Prosper Portland, to various City Bureaus, and to outside agencies regarding inclusive community economic development.
• Develops messaging and strategic story-telling using qualitative and qualitative data to communicate the impact of team's efforts; makes frequent presentations to outside stakeholders.
• May serve as Acting Department Director in the Department Director's absence.
• Leads and/or assists the agency with special projects, committees, and other relevant duties as assigned.

Scope

• Operates independently with general direction from Economic Development Director.
• Makes a wide variety of complex decisions that require technical expertise, leadership, initiative, and good judgement. Decisions and errors in work can have significant legal, fiscal, political, and operational impacts to the agency.
• Work involves a high level of complexity due to the advanced technical nature of the work, the difficulty and leadership skill required to lead a team, the level of inter-departmental and external collaboration, the intense political and community interest in projects and programs, the need to prioritize multiple initiatives, relationship management with a variety of internal and external stakeholders that require negotiation, bridge-building, and compromise, the need to navigate political dynamics, the agency's history of gentrification, and the inherent nature of creating and implementing projects and programs grounded in racial equity.
• Performs a variety of work functions and a varied scope of work that is often complex, new, and or has a high degree of technical difficulty. Position serves as a subject matter expert to the agency.
• Position has full supervisory responsibilities of a team. Oversees the work of consultants, temporary workers, and/or student staff.
• Position has oversight for administration of agency funds, private investment and city funds; possesses expenditure authority to $10,000.
• Routinely handles sensitive information and must always ensure information security and maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Interpersonal Skills: Advanced ability to establish and cultivate authentic and effective working relationships and partnerships. Exercises active listening, tact, patience, diplomacy, discretion, and political awareness.
• Mission-Driven Service: Ability to provide excellent service by demonstrating a people-oriented mindset and a willingness to help. Ability to train and provide mentorship, guidance, and thought partnership to others.
• Teamwork: Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with others. Resolves conflict and builds consensus.
• Leadership: Ability to lead, organize, review, and support the work of others. Ability to effectively manage staff performance and invest in staff development. Ability to coalesce, motivate, and empower a team.
• Communication: Effective use of both verbal and written communication. Advanced ability to speak and present in public. Utilizes negotiation, facilitation, and persuasion skills. Ability to organize, simplify, and report complex data and information to a variety of audiences. Bilingual or multilingual a plus.
• Cultural Curiosity and Reflection: Ability to learn and use culturally responsive practices to understand, communicate, and work with people across cultures and identities. Honors and embraces differences and models inclusivity in interactions and decisions.
• Advancing Equity: Knowledge of and a demonstrated commitment to advancing social and racial equity. Actively embeds equity in strategy and practice. Ability to lead others in learning, understanding, and applying the principles and practices of equity to work.
• Knowledge:
  • Advanced technical knowledge in one or more of the following areas: community economic development, inclusive economic development, workforce development, business development, and/or community organizing.
  • Knowledge of and ability to apply strategies that center equity in strategy and program development and implementation.
  • General knowledge of federal, state, and local economic development law and public policy.
  • Understanding of business and private finance, project management, physical project development, public/private partnerships, and general public administration.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office, database systems, web-based platforms, and other communication tools.
• Continuous Learning: Openness to new ideas. Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback. Ability to ask for help and learn from experiences.
• Problem Solving: Apply advanced research, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills. Exercises sound judgement in carrying out responsibilities. Ability to interpret and apply law, policy, and procedure to work.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to respond to shifting and competing work demands. Ability to work with ambiguity. Perseveres in the face of obstacles.
• Planning and Organization: Ability to oversee complex projects, initiatives, and contracts. Advanced ability to strategize, develop, implement, and evaluate goals, policies, and procedures. Ability to develop and manage a budget with multiple funding streams.
• Accountability: Takes initiative and responsibility for actions. Follows through on commitments and meets deadlines. Maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

Competencies

Putting People First, Inclusion & Collaboration

Excellence, Innovation & Learning

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience

Six years of experience in creating economic opportunities through business technical assistance, community capacity building, and/or access to employment. Demonstrated success at advancing social/racial equity. Management experience, while not required, is considered helpful and valuable experience.

Physical Requirements

Position requires ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time along with the ability to frequently move throughout the office. Position often uses a computer and other standard office equipment. Position must communicate and interact with internal and external stakeholders often regarding complex issues.

Working Conditions

Normal working hours Monday through Friday [8 AM - 5 PM] in a combination of in-person and remote work; however, additional hours will regularly be needed to meet deadlines. Early morning, evening, and weekend meetings may be necessary. Position will often travel to external meetings, properties, or events and may occasionally travel out of the metro area. Assigned work is often politicized, shifting, and complex, which sometimes necessitates working under stressful conditions. Position will be expected to engage in conversation and personal reflection around race, racism, and equity.