Under general direction and in compliance with standard operating policies and procedures, provides expert advice, support, and planning for developing and administering high-profile economic impact studies and research, databases; Customer Relationship Management (CRM) integrated marketing and website initiatives, programs and processes; and various projects relating to economic development for the City of Greenville. Forms and maintains strategic relationships with partner organizations (including NextGEN, Greenville Chamber, Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC), Upstate Alliance, VisitGreenvilleSC, The Hill Institute, SC Department of Commerce, etc.), universities (Furman, Clemson, USC, Greenville Technical College) and business and community leaders to build support for City economic development and community impact initiatives. Develops various economic development research, integrated marketing strategies, and digital content focused on educating corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and talent on the advantages of doing business in the City. Provides economic analytics to support potential economic impact and help shape next-generation economic development strategies of the City. Conducts extensive, in-depth research and analysis to support a multitude of City economic development initiatives. Researches and analyzes various data, including demographics, City revenue projections of property taxes and business license fees, Return on Investment (ROI), building permit activity, net financial impact of annexations, and impact of tax incentives as well as other Greenville City Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) mission areas to include Talent, Livability, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Quality of Life. Utilizes completed research and analysis for the development of new marketing materials and maintenance of existing marketing information, databases, and websites. Directly supports GCEDC strategic events, including creating and making presentations, working with vendors and service providers, and in some cases soliciting event sponsors. Exercises a moderate level of discretion in the interpretation and application of policies, operating procedures, and rules. Serves as a liaison to the Communications and Engagement Department. Provides administrative, staff, and project management support as assigned. Coordinates joint marketing efforts with outside agencies, businesses, and organizations and works with outside consultants on marketing support, imaging, and brand messaging.

 Essential Functions

  % of Time

• Lead Research, Database Development, CRM, and Analytics Initiatives: Oversee and develop marketing content, programs, and extensive research materials. Develop the GCEDC dashboard and associated key performance indicators and metrics, various strategic/targeted presentations, research reports, marketing materials, and other economic impact reports as needed in electronic and printed formats (e.g., brochures, flyers, fact sheets, infographics, statistical data to include graphs/charts, maps, etc.) to support GCEDC economic development initiatives. Develop and maintain an inventory of site profiles and demographic information that can be shared with partners, site consultants, and other entities interested in investing and/or locating in Greenville. Manage the process of developing economic development asset mapping for Greenville. Build email content, as needed, to be sent to the business community and/or business prospects. Conduct formal presentations to business groups, City Leadership including City Council, real estate brokers, inter-city visitors, and others. Directly support appreciation program for guest speakers, business prospects, visiting delegations, new and expanding businesses, etc. Manage online forms through electronic forms and survey tools/systems, as well as within the City's web platform. Track and catalog department/division accolades and recognitions for use in marketing materials, as well as to provide benchmarking with other organizations. Help manage contracts with outside vendors for event space and digital needs. Directly support departmental events such as ribbon cuttings, quarterly Real Estate Breakfasts, and other specialty events including solicitation and management of event sponsorships and vendor contracts.

30%

• Conduct Research and Analysis: Utilize ArcGIS, ESRI demographic data, City financial system, and various other information to compile, analyze, and provide marketing reports for variety of uses including commercial corridor benchmarking, and business recruitment and retention efforts. As required, conduct internet research on business prospects and economic development related issues, state legislation, local real estate market trends, community impact issues, and economic development incentives. Utilize specialized tools and systems, create demographic reports and maps for business prospects, site selection firms, and real estate brokers. Maintain existing GIS maps illustrating key development areas and the development activity on a City-wide basis for use in meeting with business prospects. Execute surveys and determine levels of resulting returns for development projects. Serve as the City’s representative to local/state Economic Development Researcher's groups at the GADC, Upstate Alliance, Greenville Chamber, and the South Carolina Department of Commerce by attending meetings, maintaining a list of the City’s relevant research databases and providing updates on development projects. Provide assistance to these agencies, as needed for development prospects involving sites located in the City. Serve as the department liaison to the City's Revenue Division for business license-related issues. Respond to Request for Information Surveys (RFIs) using available databases meeting desired specifications.

25%

• Serve as a GCEDC Liaison: Serve as the primary liaison to the Communications and Engagement Department in website and economic development content, monthly meetings, and as needed (requesting research support, social media posts, media support, website support, cataloging accolades, etc.). Ensure all copy and design work adhere to brand standards and is reviewed and approved by the Communications department. Ensure the Economic Development Department’s content on the City of Greenville website and other economic development websites is accurate and timely. Provide statistics, links, documents, and spreadsheets as necessary to assist with content development. Additionally, serve as the Economic Development Department’s community impact liaison to various business associations and community groups/organizations as needed.

20%

• Provide Administrative, Staff and Project Management Support: As assigned, provide administrative and/or technical support (e.g., investigating and facilitating the response to City-related inquires, providing demographic data, etc.) to the President & CEO, and a variety of property owners’ groups, business associations, community groups, etc. Support the Community Development Division as needed. Assist other City departments with demographic data and reports for grant applications. Manage the GCEDC’s intern program and provide mentoring support to interns.

15%

• Support the Development and Implementation of Branding Initiatives: Develop and implement strategies with outside organizations and agencies to jointly brand the community. Coordinate joint marketing efforts with outside agencies, businesses and organizations to reinforce brand and marketing including sharing information, research, data, and other materials. Work with outside consultants on marketing support, imaging, and brand messaging.

10%

Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, economic development, business, or related field.

• Over four (4) years of experience in marketing, economic development, business, or a related field.

• Masters in marketing, business, public administration, or related field.

• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License.

• Best practices in economic development research & analysis, advertising, social media, and integrated marketing strategies.

• Economic development principles, practices, and techniques.

• Principles and practices of effective communication protocols, public and customer relations.

• Various software programs and technology tools, research, and analysis methods used in economic development research and benchmarking.

• Site selection principles.

• Economic development recruitment, both domestic and international, and business attraction best practices.

• Principles and practices of organizational branding.

• Outstanding writing skills.

• Develop effective marketing and branding strategies.

• Perform in-depth economic development and marketing research & analysis as well as the ability to build and maintain related databases.

• Utilize specialized technology tools and systems to create demographic reports and maps for business prospects, site selection firms, and real estate brokers.

• Apply principles of written communication, graphical layout, and multimedia techniques appropriate to marketing campaigns, ensuring that work products are clear, usable and effectively convey the intended messages and information.

• Communicate complex ideas including technical information, analysis, and rationale clearly and compellingly to a variety of audiences using various mediums.

• Utilize a variety of communication and interpersonal skills to interact successfully with people at a number of levels inside and/or outside the organization.

• Prioritize workload and manage time efficiently, meet deadlines, and complete assignments in a timely manner.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City departments, the public, and key stakeholders.

• Write reports, prepare business letters, summarize meeting minutes, and compose emails in a clear and professional manner.

• Read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional and technical journals, financial reports, legal documents and contracts, and governmental regulations.

• Apply advanced mathematical operations methods and functions of real and complex variables including calculating return on investment, financial comparisons, and basic to intermediate statistical measures.

• Operate general office equipment to include scanner, printer, copier, telephone, and computer with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Utilize specialized software and systems to include smart tablets, map plotter, Adobe Creative Suite, ArcGIS, internal mapping system, SharePoint, grant tracking system, purchasing and financial system, web content management systems, GoogleEarth, Google Streetmap, Pictometry, and ESRI Business Analyst Online.

Primary Work Location:  Office environment. 

Protective Equipment Required:  None.

Environmental/Health and Safety Factors:  

Relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.

Physical Demands:  

Continuously requires fine dexterity, sitting, vision, and hearing. Frequently requires talking. Occasionally requires standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, handling, and twisting. Sedentary strength demands include exerting up to 10 pounds occasionally or negligible weights frequently; may exert up to 20 pounds; sitting most of the time.

Mental Demands:  

Constantly requires performing multiple tasks simultaneously. Frequently requires working closely with others. Occasionally requires time pressures, frequent change of tasks, tedious or exacting work, and irregular schedule or overtime.

The City of Greenville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Prospective and current employees should contact Human Resources to request an ADA accommodation.

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.