- Develops and coordinates outreach programs designed to attract and encourage small local business enterprise vendors to participate in Richland County projects by utilizing marketing, public relation concepts, and branding.
- Maintains a collaborative relationship with internal staff, partner agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure current knowledge regarding upcoming Richland County business opportunities and disseminates the information to the local business community.
- Develops and manages a pipeline of potential new business leads and partnerships in efforts to grow all categories of the Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) certified directory.
- Proactively recruits business owners to provide informational details/resources regarding the OSBO department and SLBE certification program.
- Qualifies business owners for SLBE certification program, schedules and conducts appointments with prospective candidates to assist with document retrieval and the preparation of SLBE applications.
- Works closely with the Certification and Compliance Specialist to schedule/conduct appointments for all new/renewing SLBEs to complete perspective applications.
- Provides an overview to new/renewing SLBEs on how to effectively participate in the SLBE program to maximize benefits.
- Coordinates and facilitates public meetings with SLBEs, vendors, prime contractors, construction/project managers and other stakeholders to provide verbal and written updates of all business opportunities.
- Participates in pre-bid, pre-proposal, pre-construction, and other similar meetings to inform attendees of SLBE program/project contract procedures.
- Addresses concerns from contractors, business owners and general public regarding project status and assists prime contractors to identify SLBEs.
- Develops and maintains-flyers, brochures, and other forms of outreach and educational materials as well as monthly progress reports.
- Distributes weekly upcoming local business workshops/events via the OSBO email distribution list and SLBE certified directory as needed.
- Utilizes Business Development/OSBO Contact trackers to maintain follow-ups activity for SLBE certification, email distribution list, and collaborative partner directory.
- Works with Program Coordinator to coordinate with Richland County Public Information Office (PIO) in developing news/press releases related to the OSBO functions/activities, the Mentor Protégé Program, the Bond Support Services and other programs offered by Richland County.
- Works with Program Coordinator to develop and maintain the OSBO website (all content to be approved by the Director/Assistant Director of OSBO) and social networking pages to inform the public/vendors/contractors, etc. of upcoming project events and communicate status of business opportunities.
- Monitors, queries, and disperses upcoming Richland County solicitations/opportunities posted via procurement vendor portal to certified SLBEs capable of performing scope of work to maximize procurement participation.
- Identifies and establishes additional avenues for SLBE capacity building with a focus on emerging businesses by way of but not limited to connecting businesses to access to capital.
- Develops needs assessment surveys to identify obstacles to SLBE contracting and provides strategies for.
- Establishes and conducts educational/professional training workshops for SLBEs and/or coordinates if an outside professional consultant is warranted to conduct professional and educational training workshops.
- Serves as in-house instructor for OSBO-implemented courses when applicable, or assigns staff as necessary.
- Assists with the development of presentations to inform leadership of activities conducted with SLBEs.
- Tracks and analyzes data trends within SLBE certified directory to evaluate areas of opportunity for business development and program recruitment purposes.
- Develops weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports as requested by the Director/Assistant Director of the OSBO.
- Participates in collaborative workshops/events with local organizations that support small business initiatives.
- Stays informed about local and national policies affecting small business growth and access to contracting opportunities.
- Serves as a liaison between local businesses and government entities to ensure business owners are made aware of public policies and program changes.
- Engages in public speaking on behalf of the OSBO department.
- Attends meetings/workshops/events outside of normal County business hours as needed.
- Serves as a connector to the hub of business development tools and resources for business owners.
- Performs additional duties as assigned.
Minimum Compensation: $51,426.53
Compensation Minimum: $51,426.53