Business Services Manager

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Department of Commerce is the umbrella organization for all economic development activity in the city and coordinates the work of related agencies. From small shops to large corporations, Commerce sets and leads policies to help businesses thrive. The Office of Business Services (OBS) is a unit within Commerce that provides direct customer service and information to business owners. Business Services Managers act as a concierge service for business owners in the City of Philadelphia.

Job Description

The Department of Commerce is looking to add two new Business Services Managers to the team to meet the needs of the businesses in our community. The role of the Business Services Manager is to support and provide customer friendly service to businesses that operate within the City of Philadelphia. Each business manager is expected to take a proactive stance in the territories they service, identifying and implementing improvements to strengthen and grow the business environment. One of the two individuals to be hired will play a dual role that will include providing administrative support to the OBS team.

Essential Functions

• One on One business assistance

• Business outreach
• Establish and maintain community partnerships
• Serve as key point of contact for business owners looking for help in navigating City services and regulations.
• Represent business concerns to other City agencies/departments
• Record and maintain business cases in the department database

Specific Duties:

• Outreach and communication with business owners in the targeted area, with focus on commercial corridors.
• Establish relationships with existing businesses, Business Associations, and other business-related organizations to access and review needs in the area. Assist as needed in building the capacity of local business association.
• Learn and articulate the steps toward opening a business, regulations around permits and licenses, and other issues common to businesses operating in Philadelphia.
• Work closely with other units within Commerce and other City departments, i.e., City Planning, L&I, Revenue, Health, etc. to assist in implementation of plans for economic development or to find resolutions for outstanding issues.
• Track the progress of business client services and economic development projects through client management software.
• Clearly articulate resources and funding sources and refer businesses as appropriate.
• Represent the Office of Business Services through public speaking engagements, presentations, and workshops upon request.
• Plan and hold events to meet the needs of the targeted business community i.e., workshops, presentations.
• Provide assistance to all incoming requests received through the Department’s “Customer Service Line” and business email.
• Contribute to the goals of the Department through creative initiatives that spur economic growth and community vitality.
• Manage internal data and reports related to the Office of Business Services performance metrics.
• Provide administrative support to the OBS team including data reporting, special event planning and coordination.
• Other duties as assigned to support the success of the OBS team.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of small business operations.
• Knowledge of City, State and Federal economic development programs.
• Knowledge of private agencies that service the business community through funding, technical