Economic Development Specialist

Bellevue is a city transforming. As Seattle’s largest neighbor, we are a welcoming, multicultural, innovation-focused community that attracts technology pioneers, outdoor enthusiasts, and pragmatists from around the world. A truly international community, 42% of Bellevuers are foreign born. Major employers including Amazon, T-Mobile, The Pokémon Company, , and SAP Concur attract an international talent pool enriching our community and providing our economy with a global edge.

In the coming years the city will add more than 30,000 jobs and our first light rail line connection to Seattle, marking important milestones for our region. As the city grows, our workers, visitors, and residents are seeking more walkable neighborhoods, community-building experiences, and high-quality spaces. As part of the Cultural and Economic Development division (CED), the Economic Development Specialist will help us build meaningful relationships with our businesses across all sizes, geographies and industries to understand the challenges and opportunities of our businesses and collaborate on developing solutions that help our businesses thrive.   

Working under general direction from the Business Development Manager, you’ll support business retention and expansion outreach efforts including scheduling visits to local companies and small businesses, meeting with company executives and small business owners, conducting interviews and focus groups, recording and analyzing feedback and data, and creating recommendations for program and policy development. Additionally, this position will serve as an internal subject matter expert on internal cross functional project teams. 

Ideal candidates have strong skills in stakeholder engagement, project management, customer service, data analysis, public policy, and a spirit of creativity. We’re looking for an enthusiastic self-starter who can provide exceptional customer service and is detailed oriented in synthesizing qualitative and quantitative information for program and policy recommendations. Join us in building a diverse, resilient, and creative community in the heart of the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Consider applying here, if you want to:   

• Enjoy building meaningful connections with the business community.
• Collaborate with an innovative and solution-oriented team.
• Create programs that are on the leading edge for economic diversification , creative economy support and business retention 
• Grow your skills in public sector economic development work.  
• Attract new businesses into Bellevue

Essential functions will include but are not limited to:

• Research and schedule visits with local companies and support business attraction efforts
• Support the 2025 update to Bellevue’s Economic Development Plan
• Conduct strategic interviews and focus groups 
• Support & promote employer engagement in workforce development programming 
• Formulate and implement business communication strategies
• Compile information and data to analyze for trends and opportunities  
• Analyze and formulate recommendations for programs and policies including upcoming planning efforts and existing codes / policy and 

• Coordinate with internal and external partners to achieve program development goals and resolve business issues
• Administer contracts with external business service providers 
• Implement strategies within the Economic Development plan by coordinating interdepartmentally to recommend administrative process improvements, as well as policy, regulatory and code changes that remove barriers for small businesses and retail establishments. 
• Make persuasive and informative public presentations to a variety of audiences including recommendations to leadership

• Facilitate connection that increases and encourages engagement in collaborative cultural and economic development work. 
• Researches, develops, and recommends improvements to existing policies, processes, and procedures as well as outward facing marketing materials. 

Education and Experience

• Three to five years of professionally related job experience.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a relevant degree. 
• Familiarity with Office, Teams, Salesforce, Survey Monkey, and other digital tools.
• PMP, PgMP, ACP, Scrum Master, or similar certification is a plus.
• Fluency in languages prevalent in Bellevue or its top foreign markets such as Japanese, Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish and/or another language is highly desirable.

Knowledge, skills, and competencies

• Customer Focus: We are focused on the needs of the customer, and on developing strong relationships with our customers. 

• Business Insight: Uses knowledge of business drivers and how strategies and tactics play out in the market to guide actions

• Instills Trust: Through authenticity, integrity and honesty, we gain the trust and respect of all of those with whom we work. 

• Communicates Effectively: We understand the need to develop multimode forms of communication to engage diverse audiences including co-workers, elected officials, and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds

• Cultivates Innovation: We are focused on generating new and creative ways for our organization to be successful.
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization

• Ensures Accountability: Establishes explicit performance standards and feedback mechanisms
• Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies

Flexible/Hybrid Working:
A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period working in the office after hire. Remote work for this position is subject to department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.

Salary : $90,045 - $124,304