East Falls Development Corporation Seeks Business Development Liaison

Job Description - Business Development Liaison

East Falls Development Corporation 

Hours:  Part-time 

Summary: The Liaison will be responsible for improving and maintaining a data base of available commercial real estate in East Falls, working with property owners to market their properties, and connecting potential tenants with owners.  The Liaison must be a self-starter with the ability to plan and act strategically. The Liason will build relationships with prospective landlords, help bring properties into the market, and match potential retailers with appropriate spaces. 

Background: Founded in 1997, the East Falls Development Corporation focuses on the Riverfront Business District in East Falls, as well as other business locations in the area, such as Falls Center, Sherman Mills, Conrad Street.   The EFDC markets and promotes of the district, as well as implement capital programs and improves the look of the area. The goal is to have a healthy and vibrant business district, with fully occupied storefronts that are attractive and serve residents as well as visitors and commuters.  The EFDC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that elects a Board of Directors to govern its activities.   

Training, Reporting: The Liaison will be trained on retail leasing vocabulary, economic terminology, and landlord relations; the Liaison will report to the Executive Director of the EFDC. 

Essential Functions:

• Share and sell the vision of retail in East Falls to prospective tenants.
• Build rapport with property owners and their real estate representatives; serve as point of-contact between them and prospective tenants.
• Maintain databases of tenant prospects and properties/available spaces; provide details on characteristics of spaces to prospective tenants.
• Investigate available properties to determine whether upgrades are needed and potential cost of such (including ADA compliance, health and safety, and basic systems).
• Contribute to the development of marketing material for East Falls. Collaborate with marketing committees of EFDC to develop recruitment marketing programs and materials.
• Update key demographic figures and information important to retail recruitment
• Be a point of contact for prospective businesses and provide assistance with site selection, permitting, and inspections.
• Understand the City permitting and inspection processes and guide new businesses through them, working through any roadblocks.
• Have an understanding and ability to communicate the guidelines and restrictions of the zoning code other municipal parameters.
• Communicate the importance of a well planned retail recruitment strategy to property owners, commercial realtors and other downtown stakeholders.
• Act as liaison between prospective businesses, property owners and commercial realtors.

Qualifications:

Skills / Experience

• Ability to balance strategic thinking and planning to fulfill the retail vision with day-today objectives.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build solid relationships and support among stakeholders, listen and provide assistance.
• Ability to work effectively with a broad range of people and positions, including independent retailers, corporate retail executives, real estate agents, landlords, etc.
• Experience in one or more of: retail, sales, marketing, public relations,
• Exemplary verbal and written communications skills.
• Coalition-building skills, including the ability to motivate, negotiate, and persuade stakeholders into a course of action.
• Work/life experiences (minimum 2 years and a college degree in a related field)
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft WORD and EXCEL.

Characteristics:

• Strong work ethic, independent, self-starter, detail-oriented
• Tenacious and positive, with a “can do” attitude
• Ability to take action quickly and think strategically
• Outgoing, friendly personality
• Creative, with innovative implementation skills and solid problem-solving capability
• Regional work-related travel required
• Live in the general vicinity of East Falls and/or have an intimate knowledge of and
• affinity for the area
• Committed to Philadelphia and/or the region and already well-networked is a plus.
• Must be willing to have meetings outside of regular business hours.

Send resume and one-page cover letter to

Gina Snyder

Executive Director

East Falls Development Corporation

3728A Midvale Ave.

Philadelphia, PA  19129