Small Business Retention & Attraction Manager

I. AGENCY DESCRIPTION

Downtown Bridgeport is a commercial area that represents and serves a diverse tapestry of the wider Bridgeport community. The independently owned restaurants and shops that populate the street-level spaces in our neighborhood create connection points that foster the sense of community so special to the Downtown and the city. The Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District (DSSD) exists to support economic development and equitable growth in Bridgeport’s downtown commercial corridor.

The Bridgeport DSSD is a special taxing district Connecticut law authorizes whereby property owners in a geographical area oversee and fund the maintenance, improvement, and promotion of their commercial district. The DSSD delivers services above and beyond those provided by the City of Bridgeport all funded by a special assessment paid by property owners within the district. Property owners within the Bridgeport DSSD contribute an additional three mills on top of their property tax assessment to pay for programming and services.

OUR DISTRICT: The DSSD’s district is bounded on the east by the Pequonnock River, by Route 8 on the west, by Interstate 95 to the south, and by East Washington Avenue to the north. The district includes 173 taxable properties and 130+ culture, dining, shopping, and service businesses enlivening the ground floor spaces within 30 blocks in the heart-shaped downtown of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

OUR MISSION: The Bridgeport DSSD serves at the business improvement district for Bridgeport’s central business district. We promote the preservation and development of the downtown business district, make the area more attractive and accessible, and enhance the public perception of downtown Bridgeport through overseeing and managing its appearance, security, and cleanliness.

OUR SERIVCES: We bolster the sense of culture and community in the heart of Downtown through environmental maintenance, open space beautification, our friendly team of Ambassadors who keep the district clean and safe, promotion of the district through the dynamic Colorful Bridgeport campaign, and events including the Downtown Farmers Market.

II. JOB DESCRIPTION

The Bridgeport DSSD is seeking a Business Retention & Attraction Manager, who will report to the President + CEO, to support, create, and execute a comprehensive program that will preserve and increase jobs and business revenues, attract businesses to vacant or underused storefronts, and contribute to economic growth of the neighborhood. This role combines community engagement, small business support, sales outreach, and hands on programming that strengthens the growth of key industry clusters and helps entrepreneurs successfully move into physical spaces. The ideal candidate is organized, outgoing, and committed to strengthening local commercial districts.

Responsibilities will include:

• Develop a coordinated approach to assist Downtown Bridgeport businesses with overcoming existing barriers to growth and achieving their expansion goals, as well as the attraction of new companies that includes the ongoing support of the creation of those new businesses.
• Actively meet with business owners to provide assistance with issues that could force a company to fail or close, and to prevent companies from relocating to an alternative community, such as financial and technical assistance programs.
• Assist and act as a liaison to businesses in navigating state and local permitting, licensing, and regulatory processes.
• Partner with Marketing to develop storytelling strategies designed to highlight businesses retention, expansion, and attraction resources and successes that promote Downtown Bridgeport as a destination to existing businesses, commercial real estate brokers, and site selection consultants.
• Cultivate prospective business contacts and leverage network of business and trade groups, chambers of commerce, and other local partners.
• Identify, recruit, and pitch storefront activation opportunities to an active pipeline of prospective entrepreneurs, vendors, and small business owners.
• Drive storefront activation efforts through strategic programming and business engagement, such as pop up markets, meetups, workshops, and events to build relationships with potential business owners and entrepreneurs.
• Identify key program success metrics, track engagement, interest, and follow up.
• Compile data gathered from merchants, property owners, residents, and other stakeholders into pre-defined reporting formats.
• Be knowledgeable about and communicate points of interest, special events, businesses, and services located in and surrounding the District.
• Other tasks may be assigned depending on interest and capacity.

III. QUALIFICATIONS

Key qualifications include:

• Bachelors degree in a related field;
• At least five years of related experience working with small businesses, community organizing, and/or local economic development;
• A passion for equitable, inclusive growth in Downtown Bridgeport, economic development, and small business support services;
• Excellent listening skills, as well as strong verbal and written communication skills–you enjoy spending time with people and building new relationships;
• Ability to coordinate and manage multiple tasks and projects and provide timely and clear updates to supervisor;

Preferred skills and experience include:

• Relevant work experience in real estate development, small business technical assistance, urban planning, and/or community organizing;
• Entrepreneurial mindset, with the creativity and discipline to research, build, test, and refine programs and partnerships;
• Knowledge of customer service and public relations to promote the image of the District;
• Problem solving, systems thinking, and effective facilitation skills;
• Additional language skills in addition to English, such as Spanish and Portuguese, is a big plus.

IV. SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary for the Business Retention & Recruitment Manager is full-time and the salary range is $70,000-$75,000, depending on experience, with a benefits package which includes medical and dental coverage, a retirement savings plan, vacation, sick time, and holidays. We recognize the value of work-life balance and also strive to create opportunities for growth for all employees through professional development. The Bridgeport DSSD is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

V. HOW TO APPLY

Send your resume, cover letter, and three professional references to lauren.dssd@colorfulbridgeport.com with the subject line: Downtown Bridgeport Small Business Retention & Attraction Manager application.

The benefits package which includes medical and dental coverage, a retirement savings plan, vacation, sick time, and holidays. We recognize the value of work-life balance and also strive to create opportunities for growth for all employees through professional development.

Additional language skills in addition to English, such as Spanish and Portuguese, is a big plus.