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Position Description

The Office of Economic Development’s purpose is to shape the future of Seattle’s economy and make it more equitable, prosperous, and competitive. We do this work by leading projects and making investments that open up access to economic opportunities, reduce the racial wealth gap, and encourage innovation and growth.

We are looking for a dynamic Advisor for Commercial Real Estate and Affordability to join our forward-thinking team! You will serve as the expert for our policy and program work to increase occupancy and ownership of commercial space, especially for historically underserved businesses. Your work will advance the Future of Seattle Economy (FSE) agenda! This position is on our Community Wealth Building team which leads the department’s work on commercial affordability and ownership, access to affordable capital, and culturally relevant business services.

Job Responsibilities

Your top 3 priorities will be:

1. Accelerating Commercial Affordability and Economic Development Impact.

• Develop and recommend policies to improve commercial affordability and support small businesses (e.g., public funds, vacant storefronts, incentives).
• Promote data-driven policy recommendations to key partners, including OED leadership, City Council, and community members.
• Work to build pathways for small businesses to access affordable real estate and ownership, fostering wealth creation.

2. Strategic Framework for Commercial Affordability

• Develop and expand programs supporting small businesses (e.g., Tenant Improvement, Business Community Ownership Fund) through collaboration, outreach, and data tracking.
• Identify and manage funding streams from federal, state, and private sources to enhance affordability and ownership.
• Convene partners to increase occupancy and ownership in commercial spaces.

3. Collaboration & Industry Trends

• Represent OED in building partnerships with community members, real estate, and business leaders to implement affordability strategies.
• Identify public-private partnerships that advance access to economic opportunities for small businesses and underrepresented communities.

Qualifications

You will be most successful if you have proven experience in program development and management in short-and-long-term timelines, project management skills, and budget management. A commitment to listening, creating space for diverse perspectives, and engaging with the community must be at the center of your professional practice. The ability to communicate at all levels thoughtfully and effectively will also contribute to your success.

Specifically, you’ll be prepared to take on this role with a combination of the following:

Experience and skills in:

• Commercial real estate industry experience (development, financing, property management, commercial space leasing, or relevant field)
• Strategy development and implementation toward sustained economic and community outcomes
• Building positive collaborations with agency, community, and political partners, particularly in new, emerging landscapes
• Developing, implementing, and communicating policy
• Team collaboration, supporting shared outcomes and growth
• Developing outcome-based strategies
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with excellent customer experience intuition
• Balancing the big picture while maintaining an attention to detail

The ability to:

• Design, organize, and implement commercial affordability programs
• Achieve outcomes and creatively problem solve in a complex, changing environment
• Write clear, compelling reports, provide landscape analyses and memos, and develop and deliver presentations
• Promote commercial affordability strategies by leading with influence within a political environment, serving as a liaison the City and external partners
• Cultivate a culture of sharing best practices and solutions across networks and cultures
• Advise leadership to drive community and data-informed decision making
• Align industry trends with City goals and identify policy opportunities.
• Apply knowledge of commercial real estate, commercial affordability, and economic development

A passion for:

• Advancing opportunities for underserved, underrepresented communities, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and Women
• Operating and applying a lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to increase access and affordability to commercial real estate for businesses that haven’t had equitable access in historical and current settings
• Implementing actions that support an anti-racist culture with mindfulness of the persistence and impact of racism in Seattle
• Influencing regulatory, procedural, and policy changes to support local economic growth and affordability
• Fostering curiosity, positive intent, and team support.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Information

This civil service position is classified as a Strategic Advisor 1, General Government and is exempt from FLSA (not eligible for overtime). The full pay range for this discretionary pay position is $48.19 - $72.23 hourly. The pay range for this individual position has been identified as $56.00 - $61.00 hourly ($116,928.00 - $127,368.00 annually, based on 2088 hours per year).

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor. Moderate local travel and possible regional travel will be required, as well as occasional evening and weekend in-person meetings.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Nicolette.Hornbeck@seattle.gov to request accommodation or with any other questions related to this hiring process.

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

Why Work at The City of Seattle?

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

The City offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Application process:

Please submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/ no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume which illustrates your related skills, experience, and abilities
• A cover letter explaining your interest in this opportunity with OED and your ability to perform in this role

Here are application and interview tips with the City of Seattle: https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/Human Resources/Talent/Application%20and%20Interviewing%20Tips.pdf (Download PDF reader)

This position is open to all applicants who demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above. The department values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. OED encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

#LI-Hybrid

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.