Posted: April 11, 2011

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The fundamental reason that this classification exists is to develop and manage a comprehensive marketing and retail development program in an effort to attract and retain retail businesses to/in the City. The Retail Development Manager will perform professional marketing and retail development. The major responsibilities for this classification include conducting retail studies, developing recruiting/retention programs and materials, recruiting and retaining retailers and developers, and establishing and maintaining close relationships with representatives of the City's business community, consultants, real estate brokers and developers, and other key stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:
Recruits and retains retailers within the City in order to create a strong retail environment for the City and drive sales tax revenues in the City.

• Identifies possible short term and long term developers and retailers to target.
Provides demographic and other economic data to developers and retail prospects as appropriate.
• Answers questions regarding retail climate, ordinances, licensing, taxation, etc. from prospective retailers.
• Markets appropriate sites to attract retail developers and retailers.
• Negotiates with prospective developers and retailers as appropriate.
• Maintains contact information for leads, prospective retailers, etc.
• Assists new and expanding retailers with City business and development applications and procedures.
• Assists retailers with making the proper connections with local officials, resources, etc. in order to locate their business within the City.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:
Develops recruiting/retention programs and marketing materials in order to provide a clear focus for efforts to attract and maintain quality retailers to the City.

• Develops strategies that impact the City's ability to attract and retain retailers including incentive policies, infrastructure needs, business processes, and business programs.
• Develops and implements comprehensive marketing strategies that engage targeted retailers.
• Develops quality marketing materials by gathering, reviewing, compiling, analyzing, and integrating complex data and information into printed materials, marketing proposals, and multi-media presentations.
• Collaborates and works to secure funding for security, maintenance, streetscape, marketing, parking and other programs to strengthen City retailers and retail districts.
• Works with planning department staff to provide input into urban design, development plans, and zoning for the City's retail districts.
• Works with various partners related to retail development and retention to improve services and to remove barriers to increasing retail activity within the City.
Develops incentive programs to assist the business community with retail development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:
Conducts retail studies in order to determine the City's short-term and long-term retail needs and develop plans, policies, municipal codes, etc. to support the City's economic retail structure.

• Researches and analyzes the retail environment for the City, state, country, and globally through the review of legislation, policies, trends, tested programs and practices, demographics, and relevant documentation.
• Reviews master plans for targeted areas to develop plans, policies, etc. that meet the needs of the area.
• Meets with key stakeholders to determine strengths and weaknesses associated with conducting business in the City.
• Performs analytical studies of key issues to determine their financial impact on the City.
Develops and organizes data and concepts into clear, concise documents and/or visual presentations using word processing, spreadsheet, and geographic information software.
• Develops and maintains a comprehensive inventory of available properties in the community for retailers.
• Collects, organizes and maintains a variety of information useful to a broad spectrum of retailers contemplating locating within the City.
• Targets economic development assistance in a manner that facilitates local entrepreneurship and provides quality businesses in under-served areas.
• Identifies areas of the City that possess the requisite demographic and economic characteristics to support retail expansion.
• Tracks retail movement into and out of the City.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Establishes and maintains close relationships with representatives of the City's business community, consultants, real estate brokers and developers, and other key stakeholders in order to develop opportunities for cooperation and collaboration.

• Identifies and develops knowledge of potential partners and stakeholders.
Fosters an environment of open communication and trust among partners and stakeholders.
• Establishes and meets with committees/teams, as needed, to work together toward common goals.
• Develops and maintains routine contacts with partners, stakeholders, team members, committees, etc. to build relationships.
• Provides ongoing education about relevant city activities and services to partners/stakeholders.
• Provides technical assistance and support services to retailers to develop and strengthen business coalitions in target areas.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of principles and methods for marketing and selling the benefits of locating in the City of New Orleans to developers and retailers.

• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services which includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Knowledge of retail recruitment techniques as needed to develop strategies, plans, and recruiting materials.
• Knowledge of City of New Orleans’ retail areas and areas that have potential for retail as needed to sell these areas to potential retailers and work with the community to make these areas ready and attractive to potential retailers.
• Knowledge of the legal requirements needed to own a retail business in the City of New Orleans as needed to provide information to potential retailers and address any barriers to increasing and supporting retail businesses.
• Knowledge of research and statistical methods and techniques as needed to conduct studies.
• Knowledge of project management principles and techniques as needed to manage clients.
• Knowledge of marketing, public information, and promotional techniques used in retail development as needed to develop recruitment and retention materials.
• Ability to analyze information such as statistical data and municipal ordinances as needed to conduct research and determine best actions and practices.
• Ability to understand and analyze work related and legal documents.
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Ability to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Ability to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Ability to develop and recommend a number of creative ideas and solutions.
• Ability to multi-task and manage resources as needed to work independently and handle the pressures of deadlines and working on several projects/processes at the same time.
• Ability to communicate in writing to include clarity, conciseness, the use of proper grammar, capitalization, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling and logical organization of thoughts in written reports.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Ability to lead and motivate others as needed to work towards common goals.
• Ability to interact effectively with a variety of individuals and groups from varying educational, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds to include listening, sensitivity to the other's feelings, needs and point of view, tact and courtesy in expressing opinions or ideas, projecting a positive image of the city, and recognizing opportunities to improve relations as needed to develop community alliances and build strong partnerships.
• Ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times.

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, marketing, planning, or a similar field and three years of experience in the development of commercial businesses related to business attraction/recruitment, retention, expansion, and/or economic development, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in retail development is preferred.