Existing Business Manager

Reports to: Executive Director

Lincoln Economic Development Association (LEDA) is a private, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization charged with facilitating industrial, commercial and office development in Lincolnton and Lincoln County. LEDA is funded through a public-private partnership that includes the City of Lincolnton, Lincoln County, private citizens, and the business community. Our mission is to foster an economic environment that promotes an enhancement of the standard of living by creating more and better jobs for the citizens of Lincolnton and Lincoln County, and to promote an increased and diversified tax base to provide needed community services.

Nature of the Position:

The Existing Business Manager, or Business Retention and Expansion Manager as often called, plays a critical role in fostering and sustaining the local industrial business community. This position leads all efforts to retain and expand existing industries to ensure they continue to thrive within the Lincolnton and Lincoln County community, contributing to economic vitality. Job duties include coordinating a visitation program, organizing appreciation events, maintaining business directories and databases, and leading expansion efforts of local companies. The ideal candidate must be able to manage a comprehensive program and work without direct supervision to complete assigned projects. They must be able to develop good working relationships with a diverse group of people.

Primary Responsibilities:

Retention and Expansion

Promote and lead expansion projects of existing industries.

• Oversee all aspects of the Existing Business Visitation Program.

• Monitor future product development needs for Existing Industries.

• Seek out and research new opportunities for Existing Industries.

• Monitor existing industry for signs of possible plant closings or reductions and seek remedies.

• Monitor changes in top management of local industries and contact new management as soon as possible.

• Interface on Industries’ behalf with City/County boards and departments, as needed.

• Maintain existing industries databases and directories.

• Initiate local incentive applications and present at county and/or city meetings.

Workforce Development

• Continue evolution of LEDA/Lincoln County Schools/Lincoln Charter/Gaston College efforts to foster long term pipeline of advanced manufacturing, trades, and life sciences talent pool.

• In cooperation with the Business Development Manager, implement strategies to harness existing and future labor force to meet the needs of existing industry.

• Creatively market the opportunities of careers in Advanced Manufacturing in Lincoln County Industries.

Existing Business Events

• Coordinate existing industry appreciation programs.

Examples:

Industry Appreciation Month events (such as IMA Forklift Rodeo, LEDA Annual Industrial Appreciation Event, Industry Tours, host National Manufacturing Day etc.)

• Coordinate the annual Industry of the Year Award.

• Coordinate, host annual Milestone Achievement Awards

• Coordinate groundbreaking and/or ribbon-cutting events.

• Arrange any existing industry seminars.

IMA (Industrial Managers Association)

• Manage all operations of the IMA.

• Create an annual Action Plan that addresses trends in existing industry needs.

• Serve as Secretary of the Board.

• Collaborate with the IMA Board on planning meetings, tours, and other events.

Industrial Park Owner's Association

The Existing Business Manager also acts as manager for both the Lincoln County Industrial Park and Airlie Business Park’s Owners Association.

• Manage operations of the LCIP and Airlie Owners Association.

• Prepare annual invoices, collect receipts, and pay bills.

• Track park maintenance costs. (Water, Lights and Landscaping), preparing and updating annual operating budgets, as necessary.

Indian Creek Lighting Fund

This position acts as manager for a fund specifically to maintain the shared lights at the Indian Creek Industrial Park.

• Manage all operations of the fund.

• Prepare annual invoices, collect receipts, and pay bills.

Communications

• Write and distribute press releases for existing business expansions and major announcements.

• Write and place articles highlighting local existing industries.

Other:

• Performs related duties as required.

• Participate in community organizations such as NC Works Partners Group, Health Department Partners Groups, Coalition Against Drug Abuse as needed to be a liaison between these organizations and local industries.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in planning, business, communications, or other relevant field supplemented by one to two years of experience in planning, community and/or economic development, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, preferable within an industrial sector.

• Able to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively and simultaneously.

• Has ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.

• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills.

• Proficient in Power Point, Excel, and social media.

• Knows how to prepare materials, comparative and statistical reports, proposals, marketing materials and correspondence.

• Adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines.

• Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant, and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities.

• Anticipates work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable directions for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

• Travel by car within the county is required on an average of three days per week; mileage is reimbursed at the currently posted federal rate.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $72,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000 - $72,000