International Business Manager

At the City of Plano, our values make us who we are and guide us as we SERVE our city. As members of Team Plano, our organizational Values (what is most important to us) make up the acronym, SERVE (Stewardship Engaged Respectful Visionary Excellence).

In Plano, Texas, industry leaders don’t just do business—they thrive. Join one of the state’s most successful economic development programs and help attract the next global powerhouse to our dynamic community. Plano is home to 77 Forbes Global 2000 companies, as well as major corporate headquarters and regional operations, including Toyota Motor North America, Capital One Finance, JPMorgan Chase, Boeing Global Services, Fannie Mae, FedEx Office, JCPenney, Cinemark Holdings, and Samsung. As the International Business Manager, you’ll work closely with the Director of Economic Development to recruit and retain international companies, host global delegations, and coordinate high-level leadership visits to key international markets. This is your opportunity to shape the future of Plano’s global business landscape.

The standard hours for this position are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Some evening hours will be required for City Council meetings, partner organization events, and receptions. Additionally, the role involves traveling domestically and internationally to key markets for business recruitment.

Bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus and will be considered favorably.

As a valued Team Plano member, you will receive numerous benefits:

• Ability to work remotely up to two (2) days a week after successful completion of six (6) month probation.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Membership in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS), in which the City matches contributions 2:1 upon retirement
• Enrollment in the Retirement Security Plan (RSP) which is fully funded by the City
• Up to three weeks of paid vacation
• Up to three weeks of paid sick leave per year
• Nine paid holidays
• Tuition Assistance
• Free Library Card
• Free recreation center membership

Every person matters. Every job has purpose. Together we make a difference. Join Team Plano!

Summary of Duties: Under basic supervision, the Economic Development Manager provides a comprehensive approach in developing policies and programs that support the attraction, retention, and expansion of businesses in Plano. The incumbent performs tasks to achieve long-term health and stability of the business community. In addition, the incumbent supports the formation of public private partnerships that meet the City of Plano’s redevelopment goals.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Supervises, hires, trains and evaluates the performance of professional and technical personnel within the department.
• Develops and leads department work programs including Business Retention/Expansion (BRE), business attraction, marketing, business engagement, international business, startups/entrepreneurs, and downtown/small business.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with commercial property owners and commercial real estate brokers to promote development and redevelopment in the City’s office parks, special districts, and corridors. Conducts regular visits with businesses.
• Provides recommendations to department head regarding annual budgets, the priorities of projects and activities, and the resources required to complete them.
• Prepares staff reports and makes presentations to boards and commissions, including City Council.
• Writes and produces annual reports and other special reports as directed.
• Manages contracts and interaction with consultants and vendors.
• Drafts and creates incentive agreements associated with economic development and works with the city attorney to execute agreements with companies.
• Documents meetings, phone calls, and contacts in the City’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Manages projects and incentives in the CRM system.
• Assists with planning and implementing business engagement programs and activities.
• Manages marketing materials and activities to ensure a professional image for the economic development activities of the department.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive, integrated marketing communications strategy to connect with targeted markets to promote Plano as a business location.
• Maintains, posts and coordinates information on the Economic Development Department and Special Project’s web sites and social media pages.
• Reviews project costs and ensures appropriate documentation and payments are implemented.
• Develops written, verbal, audio-visual and electronic prospect and general audience presentations to include economic, demographic, real estate and community information.
• Develops written, verbal, audio-visual and electronic prospect and general audience presentations to include economic, demographic, real estate and community information.
• Researches, compiles and maintains current economic, demographic and other development related information for internal and external uses.
• Monitors Plano’s retail sector and responds to retail inquiries by providing information on opportunities and demographics.
• Monitors City of Plano redevelopment areas for opportunities to engage in public private partnerships.
• Interacts with other departments, agencies, and organizations to address the needs of the business community.
• Researches economic development data for responses to open records requests per the Texas Public Information Act.
• Represents Plano in a professional, ethical and positive manner in order to promote Plano as an optimum place to conduct business.
• Collects, assembles and prepares business recruitment communications, presentations, proposals, and agreements.
• Supports the department head in staffing meetings of local government corporations; public improvement districts; and tax increment reinvestment zones.
• Assumes the responsibilities of the department head in his/her absence.
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work schedule is essential.

Marginal Duties:

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Decisions: The incumbent must make decisions regarding the utilization of information, prioritization of projects, utilization of resources, etc., while working with highly diversified groups including citizens, real estate developers and brokers and governmental agencies. The incumbent must encourage teamwork and help develop the team to meet the goals of the organization. The incumbent must maintain information in a highly effective confidential and ethical manner.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge of: Modern principles and practices of local, State and national economic development programs; public and business administration practices; basic real estate principles/practices; local and state business support and incentive programs; methods of research development and implementation.

Skill in: Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing; organizing, planning, and prioritizing assignments; identifying and defining challenges and generate creative solutions in a timely and effective manner; translating concepts and information into images; demonstrating attention to detail; working effectively and cooperatively within a team or group; applying reason when dealing with emotional topics; demonstrating sound and accurate judgment; meeting deadlines; operating a personal computer including standard software and some specialized software; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; learning and responding to requirements of the Texas Public Information Act.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in economic development, real estate, business administration, marketing, entrepreneurship, urban planning, public administration, communication, or related field. Master’s degree in economic development, real estate, business administration, marketing, entrepreneurship, urban planning, public administration, communication, or related field preferred.

Experience: Five (5) years of work experience in the field of economic development, urban planning, real estate, marketing and/or communications and two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Any work-related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above Minimum Qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements.

Licenses and Certifications: Must have a valid Class “C” Driver’s License prior to employment (must obtain Texas Class “C” driver’s license within 30 days of hire per state law).

Conditions of Employment: Must pass a drug test, driver’s license check, criminal history background check, and social security number verification check.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required. The position also requires meeting the essential requirements of the Physical Demands and Working Conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Equal Opportunity Employer - EOE/M/F/V/D

Open positions are subject to close without notice.