Director of Economic Development

Position Overview

The Director of Economic Development will lead and direct NIDC’s economic development programming, including leadership of the White Plains Road Business Improvement District (BID) and East Tremont Avenue Commercial Revitalization project and several strategic community initiatives. The Director will take an active leadership role with all stakeholders (property owners, business owners, residents, City and State agencies, and elected officials) to revitalize, promote, beautify, and enhance these commercial corridors, creating safe, welcoming, and thriving commercial districts.

Duties and Responsibilities

White Plains Road BID

Leadership of the BID includes the direction and administration of all aspects of its operations, including those duties listed below. The Director will also oversee a BID coordinator who will manage direct merchant engagement, oversee the upkeep of the corridor, and liaise with NYC and NYS agencies to address outstanding issues such as sanitation, safety, health, street vendors, rodents, etc.

Programming

• Assist merchants with obtaining information, tools, and resources to help their businesses thrive.
• Conduct surveys and data collection efforts to understand, improve, and market the BID.
• Identify, write proposals, and secure additional resources for the BID and other adjacent projects
• Plan and lead new initiatives and contracting opportunities that generate revenue for the organization.

Administration/Management

• Oversee all BID finances, working closely with the NYC Department of Small Business Services to ensure compliance with the BID’s financial policies and approved budget and oversight of the annual audit process.
• As the BID’s liaison to the NYC Department of Small Business Services, oversee all grant processes, including contract registration and timely submission of payment requests and grant reports, and ensure that all grant deliverables are met or exceeded and submitted in a timely fashion.

Governance

• Schedule and coordinate all Board and committee meetings and maintain minutes.
• Coordinate Board engagement, recruitment of new board members, and expansion of the current BID.

Marketing

• Direct all District marketing activities, including website, social media, and monthly newsletter.
• Plan and oversee all events (beautification/special events, holiday lighting events, and graffiti removal).

East Tremont Commercial Revitalization Project

• The project is midway through the first year of a three-year contract to support the businesses, property owners, and all stakeholders with goals aligned with the BIDs.  The Director will oversee a full-time merchant organizer/commercial revitalization program manager. 

Strategic Community Initiatives

• The Director will also work closely with the Assistant Director of Strategic Community Initiatives to provide direction and oversight to several community initiatives, including NYC’s The People’s Money and NYCEM’s Strengthening Communities programs.

Required Qualifications

Successful candidates for this position will have:

• A strong commitment to and understanding of economic development and the challenges businesses and residential communities face.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and management skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders and teams.
• Strong task completion skills and the ability to pivot to meet changing priorities.
• Strong writing skills and ability to produce a variety of written deliverables (press releases, newsletter content, annual reports, website and social media updates).
• Highly comfortable with digital technology (MS Office, social media, etc.).
• Cultural competence in working with a very diverse set of stakeholders.
• Substantive administrative and contract management experience and familiarity with online contracting portals.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working at a New York City Business Improvement District or other entity involved in neighborhood development.
• Conversationally fluent in Spanish.

Desired Qualifications:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in one or more of the following fields: urban planning, community organizing, public administration, project management, and real estate. Master’s degree preferred.
2. At least five years of professional experience working in some combination of the following areas: leading economic development initiatives, constituent services, or urban planning programs or directing a small business assistance program.
3. Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” or “2” above.

Neighborhood Initiative Development Corp. is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Neighborhood Initiative Development Corp. makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.