Business Development Manager & Main Street Manager

Reidsville; Reidsville (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Reidsville seeks a dedicated Main Street Manager to advance downtown development and support entrepreneurial growth within the City of Reidsville. You will serve as the primary staff liaison for NC Main Street programs and coordinate with the Reidsville Downtown Corporation to implement revitalization efforts and private investment.

The role requires strategic oversight of economic vitality, design, promotion, and organization, plus extensive stakeholder engagement and data-driven reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, economic development, or related field (or equivalent).
• Experience in economic development or downtown revitalization is strongly desired.
• Knowledge of NC Main Street programs and grant administration is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the City’s Main Street Manager and liaison for NC Main Street and Main Street America programs.
• Assist entrepreneurs, small businesses, property owners, developers, and prospective businesses with establishing, expanding, relocating, or investing in the city.
• Navigate City development processes including Planning and Zoning, permitting, and inspections for businesses and properties.
• Coordinate with City departments and external agencies on issues affecting business development and investment.
• Maintain relationships with downtown stakeholders and coordinate resources for retention, expansion, and recruitment.
• Prepare Main Street reports, accreditation materials, annual assessments, and other required documentation.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Written communication

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Relationship-building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, economic development, or related field

Equivalent education and relevant professional experience considered

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The primary purpose of this position is to support business development, small business growth, downtown revitalization, and the City of Reidsville’s Main Street program.

This employee serves as a point of contact for entrepreneurs, business owners, property owners, and prospective businesses and assists them in navigating business startups, expansion, development, and City processes. The position also serves as the City’s Main Street Manager and coordinates activities associated with the Reidsville Downtown Corporation and participation in the North Carolina Main Street and Main Street America programs.

Work includes business development, downtown economic development, grant administration, business retention and expansion support, stakeholder engagement, and implementation of the Main Street Four-Point Approach®. The employee must exercise independent judgment, initiative, tact, and diplomacy while managing multiple projects and priorities.

Work is performed under the general direction of the Director of Marketing and Economic Development, and is reviewed through conferences, analysis of reports and recommendations and evaluation of results obtained.

This position has no direct reports.

Essential Functions

• Serves as the City’s designated Main Street Manager and primary staff liaison for participation in the North Carolina Main Street and Main Street America programs.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for entrepreneurs, small businesses, property owners, developers, and prospective businesses seeking to establish, expand, relocate, or invest within the City.
• Assists businesses and property owners in navigating City development processes, including Planning and Zoning, permitting, inspections, utilities, code requirements, business registration, and other applicable processes.
• Coordinates with City departments and outside agencies to help address issues affecting business development, redevelopment, building reuse, and private investment.
• Develops and maintains relationships with businesses, property owners, developers, nonprofit organizations, economic development partners, and other public and private organizations.
• Assists the Director of Marketing and Economic Development with business retention, expansion, and recruitment activities, including business outreach, site visits, follow-up, identification of business needs, and coordination of resources.
• Assists prospective businesses with identifying available properties and provides information regarding City programs, incentives, utilities, development requirements, and other resources.
• Administers City-sponsored and Reidsville Downtown Corporation grant and business assistance programs, including application assistance, eligibility review, project coordination, documentation, reimbursement processing, and reporting.
• Coordinates implementation of the Main Street Four-Point Approach® through activities related to Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization.Prepares and submits required Main Street reports, statistics, accreditation materials, annual assessments, and other documentation and attends required meetings, training, and professional development activities.
• Serves as the primary City staff liaison to the Reidsville Downtown Corporation Board of Directors and its committees and assists with annual work plans, projects, programs, budgets, and priorities.
• Develops and maintains relationships with downtown stakeholders and identifies opportunities for business recruitment, retention, expansion, redevelopment, adaptive reuse, and private investment.
• Monitors downtown business and investment activity and maintains data necessary for Main Street reporting and downtown development efforts.Identifies and assists with grant opportunities and other funding sources supporting downtown development, small business development, redevelopment, historic preservation, and related initiatives.
• Coordinates with the Marketing and Events Coordinator on downtown promotions, events, marketing initiatives, and other activities supporting the Main Street program.
• Collects and analyzes economic development, business, demographic, market, and downtown data and prepares reports, presentations, and recommendations as needed.
• Represents the City at meetings, conferences, business visits, community functions, and other activities related to economic development and Main Street.

Important Functions

• Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge

• Considerable knowledge of economic development, downtown development, small business development, community development, or related fields.
• Knowledge of business retention and expansion, entrepreneurship, redevelopment, project management, grant administration, and stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of local government organizations, departmental functions, regulatory processes, and development procedures.
• Knowledge of downtown revitalization, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, placemaking, and the Main Street Four-Point Approach® is preferred.
• Knowledge of economics, demographic, market, and business data used in evaluating development opportunities.

Skills

• Strong organizational, project management, written communication, verbal communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, programs, and stakeholder relationships simultaneously.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and present information to boards, elected officials, businesses, community organizations, and the public.
• Ability to prepare professional reports, correspondence, grant applications, presentations, and program documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other software used for project management, reporting, communications, and data management.

Abilities

• Ability to exercise independent judgment, initiative, tact, and professionalism.
• Ability to research, analyze, organize, and present economic, business, and market information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, elected and appointed officials, outside agencies, businesses, property owners, developers, nonprofit organizations, and the public.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, coordinate resources, and develop practical solutions.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and to attend occasional evening and weekend meetings, events, and training sessions.

Education, Licenses and Experiences

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, economic development, community development, planning, marketing, communications, entrepreneurship, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of the stated education requirement.
• Previous experience in economic development, downtown development, community development, local government, planning, small business assistance, Main Street, nonprofit administration, or a related field is strongly desired.
• Experience with the Main Street Four-Point Approach®, North Carolina Main Street program, grant administration, business assistance programs, or downtown revitalization is preferred.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license is required.

Physical Requirements

• This position is largely located in an office environment, with occasional site visits to locations across the City of Reidsville. May be exposed to extremes in weather if touring locations, venues or potential locations for new businesses. Ability to climb stairs, to walk on uneven terrain, and to carry up to 20 pounds frequently is necessary.

Working Environment

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment.