This Division Manager- Job Creation & Retention (Unclassified) position is housed within the
Office of Strategic Growth (OSG).

• Real estate development
• Tax incentives
• Neighborhood development and affordable housing
• job creation
• Business attraction and retention
  
  

This employee serves as the Job Creation and Retention Division Manager in the Office of Strategic Growth. This employee reports to the Director, Deputy Director, or other senior official as assigned. Responsible for managing, directing, and coordinating the program activities and operations of the Job Creation and Retention Division, whose goal is to expand employment opportunities in Cincinnati by supporting business expansion and retention, attracting new employers, and strengthening the high-growth startup ecosystem. The employee is responsible for overseeing the department’s employer engagement initiatives, business expansion and retention activities, recruitment efforts, and job creation incentive programs.. In this position the incumbent will be responsible for maintaining key reporting systems and supervision of a team of professionals in charge of servicing the business community throughout Cincinnati to support job creation, employer expansion, and business attraction. The employee coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies, and the general public related to business expansion, employer retention, and job attraction activities throughout the City. Performs related duties as required.

The division’s work includes activities related to job creation and retention, business expansion and retention, job attraction, and high-growth startup ecosystem support. This includes, but is not limited to, employer site visits and outreach, incentives including Job Creation Tax Credits (JCTCs), issue resolution for businesses, other business support, and regional collaboration and coordination with economic development and startup ecosystem partners.

The Division Manager oversees this portfolio of initiatives, assigns staff responsibilities, and ensures coordination with regional partners and City departments to support employer growth and job creation.

(Illustrative only. Any one position may not require all of the listed KSAs nor do the listed examples include all the KSAs which may be required.)

Knowledge of:
Economic development finance, theories and practices.
Research methodologies and appropriate statistical procedures for analyzing information.
Economic and financial principles related to employer expansion, business attraction, and job creation initiatives.
Concepts, objectives, and methods of economic development incentives and business assistance programs.
Concepts, objectives, and methods of administration, management information systems, budget, and reporting
Research and evaluation techniques.
Principles and best practices of project management.
City operations related to implementing the City's economic develop policies.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to economic development incentives and employer support programs.Management principles and procedures.
Principles of accounting and municipal budget preparation and control.
Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Safety policies and procedures.

Skill to:
Negotiate and mediate effectively. Maintain confidentiality of business and City information.
Communicate effectively in group and other public settings.
Read and understand maps, blueprints, and specifications.
Operate appropriate computer equipment; use properly all related hardware and software. Operate a motor vehicle in the performance of job duties.
Read and interpret financial statements.
Lead, manage, and supervisor employees effectively.

Ability to:
Understand and analyze complicated incentive proposals for employer expansion, business relocation, and job creation initiatives.Make recommendations related to financial assistance based on summarized information.
Understand data management systems related to economic development incentive programs and employer engagement activities and recommend systems, processes and procedures that increase data quality and staff time efficiencies.
Balance manager's own daily economic development and employer engagement activities and assistance request review with assisting staff in their assigned work.
Implement and maintain positive employee relations.
Promote and maintain highest integrity throughout all personnel.
Interpret and analyze data and information for business expansion, recruitment, and job creation initiatives and make recommendations for assistance.
Organize, direct, and coordinate people, activities, and programs involving other city departments, public agencies, and external partners related to the department's employer engagement and economic development activities throughout the City.Develop and implement plans of action, establish objectives, define strategies, and identify operational actions.
Understand, interpret, and apply economic development incentive principles, procedures, and policies.
Plan, organize, direct, and control the activities of the Job Creation and Retention Division to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services.
Supervise, direct, and coordinate the work of lower-level staff.
Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff in a manner that increases the capabilities and knowledge of individual staff and the division as a whole in the area of economic development, employer engagement, and job creation initiatives.
Prepare clear and concise technical reports, draft ordinances, and code amendments.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including a variety of City officials, community groups, and the general public.
Handle adversarial situations in a diplomatic manner.

Examples of Work Performed:

(Illustrative only. Any one position within this classification may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all of the tasks which may be performed.)

Manages, in an efficient and fiscally responsible manner the Job Creation and Retention Division.
Directly undertake review and negotiation activities on complicated business expansion, job creation, recruitment, and economic development incentive proposals while assisting staff in their review and negotiation assignments.
Review company expansion proposals, job creation commitments, incentive applications, and related financial and operating information and summarize information for review by other internal stakeholders. Make recommendations related to financial assistance based on summarized information.
Interviews prospective and existing businesses and evaluates the feasibility of expansion, retention, relocation, or attraction proposals; makes recommendations to Leadership concerning business feasibility and appropriate City support. Understand data management systems related to economic development incentive programs, employer engagement activities, and recruitment efforts and recommend systems, processes and procedures that increase data quality and staff time efficiencies.
Negotiates with businesses regarding job creation incentives, business support, public participation, and other economic development assistance related to expansion, retention, or attraction opportunities. Manages and directs activities related to business expansion and retention, employer outreach, issue resolution, job attraction, economic development incentives, and startup ecosystem support throughout the City.
Works internally to the City and with partner organizations to address issues identified by businesses as obstacles to their success or growth in the City.
Coordinates the organization, staffing, and operational activities of the Job Creation and Retention Division.
Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; recommends and implements resulting policies and procedures.
Identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; identifies resource needs; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.
Reviews and implements various economic development activities including business expansion and retention initiatives, recruitment strategies, incentive agreements, partner operating support, grant-funded activities, and job creation assistance programs.Directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned services and activities; assigns work activities and projects; monitors work flow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies.; implements discipline and termination procedures; oversees other personnel issues and concerns; ensures payroll issues are addressed.

Each applicant must have a minimum of five years' experience with economic development, business attraction, employer engagement, or a closely related field. A bachelor's degree in public or business administration, economics, finance, or a closely related field is required.

At least two years at a supervisory level is strongly preferred. A master’s degree in one of the above stated fields or professional certification from an accredited professional organization (e.g. International Economic Development Council - CecD, National Development Council- EDFP, HDFP, AND RHDFP, Community Development Financial Institute) Is preferred.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must possess a valid Driver's License.
Must be an excellent communicator and team builder.

https://www.dantes.doded.mil/EducationPrograms/get-credit/creditmilitary.html

Environmental Conditions: Office environment with some outdoor work; exposure to office computer screens; work in various construction environments; exposure to construction and building site conditions and noise; work on slippery or uneven surfaces. Work closely with others.

Physical Conditions: Duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, and walking for prolonged periods of time; moderate lifting and carrying; must be able to make visual assessments and distinguish colors; some climbing, kneeling, bending; general manual dexterity; must be able to operate a motor vehicle.