This is responsible professional work in business
development programs.
The small business navigator position provides
dedicated support for Tampa’s small business community. The employee serves as
the central point of contact for small businesses navigating City government,
connects entrepreneurs to available business support and technical assistance
services, leads outreach and engagement to small business stakeholders and
business groups, and coordinates efforts to strengthen Tampa’s small business
climate including supporting policy change and new program development. Tasks
are of more than average difficulty, performed under general supervision and require
significant tact, diplomacy when dealing with the public. The exercise of
reasonable initiative and independent judgment is required in ensuring that
data compilation is accomplished in a thorough and accurate manner. Work is
reviewed through conferences, reports submitted, and results obtained. Appointed position; employee serves at the
pleasure of the Mayor.
Program Development: Support the development of the small business
navigator program including key services, processes, metrics, and other
deliverables related to program launch and implementation.
Outreach, Engagement and Marketing: Lead
on small business outreach and engagement with small business stakeholders and
business groups. Market and promote relevant programs, offers and business
support to Tampa’s small business community with a focus on reaching
disadvantaged and underrepresented groups who do not typically access business
assistance. Speak at public meetings, business group meetings and other public
forums.
Service Delivery: Serve as a central point of contact for small
business owners, providing direct service to understand and assess the needs of
the business. For issues relating to the
City (i.e. permits, fees, zoning, Equal Business Opportunity (EBO)
certification, incentives, etc.), the Navigator would work with the relevant
City Departments to address the business question / concern and facilitate
their interactions with the department. For needs related to external business
support (i.e. business planning, accessing capital, e-commerce, etc.), the
Navigator would connect businesses to external business support / technical
assistance partners. These services could be delivered in person, by phone, by
video call, by email/chats, or some other format.
Internal and External Partner Engagement:
Develop internal and external partners to support the small business navigator
program. Internal partners would include city departments and other
governmental agencies. External partners would include business support
providers (i.e. SBDC, SCORE, CareerSource, etc.), universities, banks,
corporations and other institutions.
Small Business Climate: Coordinate efforts to strengthen
Tampa’s small business climate by assessing the impact of proposed policies on
local small businesses and making recommendations in alignment with small
business needs and goals. Make recommendations on changes and improvements to
existing City policies and processes. Advise on new programs or policies which
would better support small businesses.
Data
Tracking: Input interactions and
client information in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database. Design and oversee program outcome tracking
including through regular surveys to assess small business needs and track the
City’s progress in addressing them.
Knowledge
of: project management practices and procedures
specifically concerning economic development, small business support, or
related field; developing and maintaining relationships with business owners
and account managing their experience through a business support process; coordinating
service delivery at a local level for small businesses; inputting data in and
producing reports from a customer relationship management (CRM) database; techniques
of marketing, communications, and community engagement.
Ability
to: empathize with the challenges that small
business owners face and be an advocate for them; plan, manage, and implement
economic development projects; think strategically and participate as part of a
team; write and speak clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication
settings and prepare analytical and technical reports; engage diverse
stakeholders in a culturally competent way; establish and maintain effective
working relationships with city officials, officials of other governmental
organizations, representatives of public and private organizations, community
stakeholders and the general public; speak Spanish a plus.
Graduation from and accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in communications, business administration, public administration, public policy, economics, urban planning, or a closely related field and three (3) years of small business work experience; or an associate’s degree in communications, business administration, public administration, public policy, economics,
urban planning, or a closely related field and five (5) years of small business work experience.
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