Business Growth Project Coordinator

Business Growth Project Coordinator

The Department of Economic Development supports Cleveland's economic competitiveness by helping businesses grow, invest, and create jobs. As part of this mission, the City of Cleveland is seeking a motivated and results-oriented Business Growth Project Coordinator to support key economic development projects, advance mayoral initiatives, and foster strategic relationships with Cleveland's business community. This role will contribute to business attraction and retention efforts, assist in coordinating economic development incentives, and ensure projects move efficiently through internal City processes.

Under administrative direction, the Business Growth Project Coordinator is responsible for planning and administering strategic projects and programs that advance the City's economic development goals. The role serves as an administrative supervisor, providing guidance to staff on project timelines, deliverables, and coordination needs. This includes overseeing workflow across active business development projects, ensuring compliance with internal procedures, and supporting the evaluation and administration of financial incentive packages.

The Business Growth Project Coordinator will work collaboratively with other city departments to ensure projects receive timely support and move smoothly through required City approvals. The position will also help maintain accurate project records in the Department's CRM system, ensuring that business engagement, incentive activity, and interdepartmental coordination are properly documented, tracked, and communicated to leadership.

Examples of Duties

Under administrative direction, is responsible for planning and administering a specific project or program for a City department. Serves as the administrative supervisor on projects or programs. Plans, assigns, supervises, and reviews activities of subordinate personnel. Monitors the project or program's operating budget and assists in the annual preparation of same. Designs, implements, and monitors procedures utilized in program evaluation. Develops and secures commitments from other City departments and agencies to provide services to program participants. Provides technical assistance or reviews program policies and procedures. Maintains current information and oversees the preparation of project status reports. Prepares financial and narrative reports and program applications. Communicates project/program status and information to municipal officials and/or public and private entities. May supervise employees assigned to the respective project. Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

A High School Diploma or GED is required. A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four year college or university in Business or Public Administration, Social Sciences, or closely related field preferred. Two (2) years of full-time, paid, progressively responsible experience in program administration is required. Must be able to lift and carry thirty (30) pounds. A valid State of Ohio Driver's License is required.

Supplemental Information

Key responsibilities include:

• Engaging with businesses, developers, and community partners to support business attraction and retention.
• Coordinating services across City departments and agencies to advance business-facing projects.
• Preparing reports, presentations, and supporting documentation for incentives, grants, and development projects.
• Communicating project status to municipal officials and public/private stakeholders.
• Providing technical assistance to businesses and partners, including reviewing incentive policies and procedures.
• Representing the Department of Economic Development in meetings and public forums.
• Performing other related duties as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Urban Studies, Economic Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing, Communications, Political Science, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five (5) years of full-time paid experience in Economic Development, Banking, Finance, Real Estate Development, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of any equivalent combination of education, training and experience in program administration required.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, program administration, or coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports, presentations, and correspondence.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with businesses, community stakeholders, City departments, and public officials.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft 365 applications, and the ability to operate a personal computer; experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) preferred.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally for meetings and site visits.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds for site documentation and materials.

Alignment with City Guiding Principals:

All City of Cleveland employees are expected to embody the City's guiding principles in their everyday work: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Mayor Bibb is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, which includes building an environment that respects the individual, promotes innovation, and offers opportunities for all employees to develop to their full potential. A diverse workforce helps the City realize its full potential. The City benefits from the creativity and innovation that results when people with different experiences, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds work together. The Team is committed to providing equal employment