Commercial Strategist
THE OPPORTUNITY:
Are you passionate about helping Downtown Memphis become a more inclusive and vibrant place? Would you enjoy a job focused on bringing vacant space back to life, fighting blight, increasing Downtown retail options, and creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs and small business owners? Are you an analytically-minded problem solver who enjoys working with all types of people? If that sounds like you, the Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) has an exciting opportunity to help build a downtown for everyone as part of our Planning & Economic Development Team.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The ideal candidate for this role is a great communicator with a deep commitment to equitable economic development. In collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer and other Department Staff, the Commercial Strategist will be the subject matter expert responsible for leading the implementation of the DMC’s strategy for proactively recruiting, supporting, and retaining Downtown businesses and office tenants. The position is also responsible for administering financial incentive programs, providing small business technical assistance, preparing grant applications, and making regular public presentations to DMC-affiliated boards, neighborhood groups, prospective businesses, and other interested parties. Additionally, the position will actively support the DMC’s work to improve the condition of blighted commercial properties through pop-up activation, public art, legal strategies, and other creative approaches.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Implement the DMC’s Retail Strategy.
2. Create and administer financial incentive programs in support of the DMC’s business retention and recruitment strategies.
3. Develop and implement strategies to build and maintain strong relationships with Downtown brokers, commercial property owners, and business owners.
4. Find innovative ways to market and activate strategically-important vacant properties Downtown.
5. Prepare grant applications for special projects and community initiatives.
6. Provide staff support to the DMC’s Anti-Blight Committee and outside legal counsel.
7. Build and maintain a commercial property & data clearinghouse.
8. Manage the DMC’s Main Street Action Plan
9. Other duties as assigned.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Passion for Downtown Memphis.
2. Advanced knowledge of market demographics, urban retail trends, and best practices for Downtown development and businesses recruitment.
3. Experience writing and/or reviewing commercial leases.
4. Master’s degree in a related field and 1 year of related work experience OR an Undergraduate degree and a minimum of 3 years related work experience.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
6. Demonstrated experience in creating and evaluating budgets, small business plans, and commercial real estate pro formas.
7. Ability to read and understand architectural drawings, such as floor plans and building elevations.
8. Must be a self-starter, requiring little to no direct supervision.
9. Within 6 months of employment, must reside within Memphis and/or Shelby County, Tennessee.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Office environment plus routine visits to project sites and business locations.
SALARY RANGE:
Position salary range is dependent on qualifications and experience.
READY TO APPLY?
If you are interested in applying, please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@downtownmemphis.com.
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
The Downtown Memphis Commission fully supports equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, gender, age, religion, national origin or disability. All employment decisions, including hiring, termination, promotion, compensation, and benefits, are based on the ability to perform the essential functions of the job and are made without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, or disability or any other non-merit factor.