Business/Economic Development Specialist

About Us: Founded in 1981, the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is a non-profit dedicated to fostering economic growth and development within our community. We work with local and prospective businesses, government agencies, and community organizations to create a thriving economic environment. Our goal is to support sustainable development, job creation, and economic opportunities for all residents.

Purspose of Position: Under the direction of the Director of Business Services, the Business Development Specialist will play a crucial role in promoting regional economic growth and development. The Specialist is responsible for the development of professional, competitive business attraction collateral requests for information, proposals, and outreach (regional and national) for the County of Fresno and its cities by collaborating with various internal and external partners. This position involves collaborating with existing and potential businesses to identify opportunities for expansion, relocation, and investment. The Specialist will also work to amplify and enroll businesses in economic incentives such as the New Employment Opportunities (NEO) program, PG&E Economic Development Rate (EDR), Good Jobs Challenge (GJC), and other EDC programs and incentives. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in business development, excellent communication skills, and a passion for economic development.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Client Services (70%)

• Act as the lead contact for all businesses in assigned projects.
• Leverage AI-enabled software tools, marketing campaigns, trade shows, and other methods to identify quality leads as investment opportunities.
• Collaborate and coordinate with various internal and external resources the development of professional, competitive business attraction collateral requests for information (RFI), proposals, and outreach (regional and national) for the County of Fresno and its cities.
• Coordinate face-to-face meetings and site visits with clients to gather information to aid in decision making for attraction or expansion clients; communicate appropriate information and connect clients with suitable resources and referrals including, but not limited to:

Real estate brokers

Permitting and regulatory agencies

Site developers and site selectors

Regional, state, and federal economic development and trade organizations

Financial institutions

City and County officials

EDC board members, community partners, and others in the economic development space

• Collaborate with the research team to analyze market reports to determine where to seek out new business prospects.
• Coordinate with the President & CEO and special projects team to conduct research and provide requested data for site selectors, brokers, prospective clients, and stakeholders and any other interested parties.
• Coordinate and attend local, national, and international trade shows, missions, and events to generate attraction leads within target industries (regional, national, international).
• Accountable for securing client and project confidentiality at the EDC.
• Maintain and update the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to ensure client and project information are up to date on a consistent and timely basis.
• Provide training and presentations to EDC Board of Directors, funders, staff, and others regarding the EDC and its services, prospects and feedback from marketing activities and efforts.
• Develop and maintain all client-facing material including, but not limited to industry brochures, market reports, white papers, and event fliers.
• Complete weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports as requested by the Business Services Director and/or Executive Team Members.
• Maintain relationships with clients by providing support, information, and guidance.

Program Support (30%)

• Understand and promote the New Employment Opportunities (NEO) program, the PG&E Economic Development Rate (EDR), the Good Jobs Challenge (GJC) training funds, and other EDC programs and incentives.
• Understand and promote federal, state, and local business tax credits and incentive programs.
• Update the incentive and resource library on data needed for business attraction, retention, and expansion clients.
• Maintain online database of available commercial real estate sites for Fresno County and its cities.
• Maintain the site selector database regularly and proactively.
• Other roles and responsibilities as assigned to ensure the success of the EDC’s Attractions program.

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong verbal and written communication, excellent interpersonal skills, and a proven ability to build and maintain relationships with business leaders
• Project Management: Excellent organizational and time management skills, with ability to manage projects and meet performance targets
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with remote meeting technologies (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.). Knowledge of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), CoStar, ArcGIS Business Analyst, EMSI, or similar programs (Strongly Preferred)
• Knowledge of real estate, real estate development, or land use (Strongly Preferred)
• Familiarity with the regional business landscape and target industry sectors (Strongly Preferred)

MINIMUM EDUCATION & WORK HISTORY:

• Bachelor’s degree in with a concentration in marketing, finance/accounting, real estate, advertising sales or business administration preferred and one year of proven experience in a marketing or sales position; OR
• A combination of some college and 3 years of marketing, business development, commercial banking, and/or sales experience.

PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS:

• All matters relating to EDC and its business activities are strictly confidential.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The physical demands listed are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Modified “light duty” restrictions may be arranged as needed and when available for job-related injuries or illnesses.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit; use hands for clerical duties and keyboarding. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; stoop and kneel.
• The employee will occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus, and visual acuity sufficient to read a computer screen and paper documents.
• Acute hearing is necessary for telephone and in-person communication with callers and assisting staff, customers, and vendors. This position requires speaking in front of a group to lead meetings and training sessions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This position typically functions indoors in an office environment with light-to-moderate noise associated with business office equipment.
• Occasional travel required (25-50%).

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Fresno, CA 93721 (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Required)

Work Location: In person