The Business Development Manager will manage and execute office and retail retention, attraction, and expansion activities. This includes regionally-focused prospecting, lead generation, and related follow-ups, with an emphasis on corporate expansion of target sectors within the District. This position will report directly to the Vice President of Real Estate Services.
This position will support WDCEP internally and externally in advancing economic development primarily through the retention & expansion of existing businesses, with the overall goal of facilitating outcomes that increase the job base, deliver private investment, and drive inclusive economic growth in the District.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Position WDCEP as the go-to resource for office and retail retention, expansion, and recruitment inquiries.
- Target District-based companies to assist with expansion & retention requirements and engage with businesses in the Washington, DC region who express interest in expanding into the District.
- Proactively manage and execute the District’s office and retail business development strategy.
- Maintain an internal database for detailed tracking and reporting of the outcomes on the full portfolio of business development activities including prospecting and lead generation.
- Cultivate relationships with office and retail brokers and other relevant parties for lead generation throughout the region.
- Clearly communicate complex real estate scenarios and manage a transactional real estate process. Coordinate and execute market tours and prospect meetings.
- Oversee all aspects of tracking and reporting of business retention KPIs via WDCEP’s CRM (Salesforce). Ensure that data entered in our CRM is complete, and work with the BREA (Business Retention Expansion & Attraction) team to deliver weekly, monthly and quarterly reports as required to clearly outline the leads funnel, projects and outcomes.
- Prepare regular economic development updates for communication with WDCEP stakeholders.
- Ensure collaboration and strong cooperation with partner economic development organizations (e.g. Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development).
- Establish and maintain on-going relationships with stakeholders e.g. Business Improvement Districts, landlords, brokers, real estate community.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to source new leads and growth opportunities in retail and office leasing/capital investment throughout the region.
- Comfortable presenting to C-level executives, real estate brokers and developers.
- Capable of identifying opportunities and vulnerabilities within the DC region’s economic development ecosystem with goals of increasing jobs, delivering private investment and driving inclusive growth.
- Familiarity and appropriate procedures for handling confidential information.
- Ability to plan and coordinate with other WDCEP team members.
- Exceptional organizational skills and ability to work on a variety of projects and requests with time-sensitive deadlines simultaneously.
- Ability to represent the District’s economic development programs effectively, orally and in writing.
- Knowledge of effective “touchpoints” and outreach strategies to reach targeted companies for attraction or expansion within the District.
- Ability to attend evening events and conduct meetings throughout the region.
Preferred
- Familiarity with the Washington, DC area.
- Familiarity with the leasing process and site selection process for both retail and office end-users.
- Experience with Salesforce and LinkedIn Sales Navigator for prospecting.
- Computer and basic software skills (e.g. Microsoft Office, Zoom/Teams, presentation software).
Compensation
- Salary Range: $90,000-$110,000
- Benefits (e.g. Health, Dental, Vision, 401k, Life Insurance, Commuter Stipend, Gym Membership)
We are accepting applications until March 13, 2024. Please send resume and cover letter to: LFitzgerald@wdcep.com.
WDCEP is an equal opportunity employer.
This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
