Who: Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, Chicago
What: Director of Community Development
The Director of Community Development oversees economic development initiatives and business district management including the Clark Street and Lincoln Avenue Special Service Area (SSA) taxing districts. The Director oversees a variety of programs and projects, hires and manages vendors, creates and monitors budgets and assists with all small business development initiatives.
General Duties and Responsibilities:
Special Service Areas
• Serve as the project director for the Clark Street and Lincoln Avenue Special Service Areas (SSA)
- • Serve as the project lead for the Clark Street SSA reconstitution
- • Coordinate and lead meetings, prepare materials, reports, agendas, minutes, etc., for SSA Commission
- • Solicit contractor bids, negotiate contracts and manage vendors
• Draft, manage and monitor SSA budgets
- • Complete all SSA paperwork and documentation required by the City’s Department of Planning and Development
- • Lead public way aesthetic improvement projects, corridor planning and various rebate programs
- • Assist with events, promotions and marketing initiatives for Clark Street and Lincoln Avenue
- • Maintain contact with property and business owners within SSA boundaries and implement outreach programs
- • Work closely with SSA Commission to execute annual work plan
- • Recruit, maintain and oversee SSA Commission
- • Manage public way use permits for streetscape elements
- • Serve as a liaison between businesses and City of Chicago departments and local elected officials
Government Affairs and Economic Development
- • Lead and manage business attraction initiatives throughout the neighborhood
- • Collaborate with LPCC leadership on development and implementation of legislative agenda
- • Work closely and build/maintain relationships with area neighborhood associations, elected officials, city departments, businesses and developers on zoning, policy and community relations issues
- • Stay informed about local news, projects and developments affecting Lincoln Park
- • Seek out opportunities to work with organizations to advocate for businesses such as the Small Business Advocacy Council
- • Stay abreast of neighborhood safety concerns, build relationships with local police commanders, and administer safety and improvement programs
Additional Responsibilities
- • Attend all SSA events, activities and meetings and assist with set up
- • Attend all LPCC events and activities and assist with set up
- • Attend community and neighborhood association meetings as LPCC representative
- • Coordinate other projects or activities as directed by the LPCC President
- • Work as “team player” with other staff members to fulfill LPCC mission
Qualifications:
- • Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of work experience (required)
- • Must have own transportation (required)
- • Strong project management experience and community or economic development experience (preferred)
- • Knowledge of urban planning and economic development (preferred)
- • Familiarity with the Lincoln Park area and the LPCC’s activities (preferred)
- • Strong commitment to the mission of the LPCC and helping Lincoln Park businesses
- • Strong understanding of financial statements and budgets
- • Self-starter and ability to work independently
- • Experience in facilitating effective meetings
- • Extraordinary organization skills and attention to detail
- • Excellent written and oral communication skills
- • Excellent interpersonal and networking skills
- • Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and a quick learner of other software
- • Ability to be flexible and manage multiple projects at once
- • Occasional evenings/weekends required
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@lincolnparkchamber.com. No phone calls or walk-ins, please.
About the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce:
Founded in 1947, the LPCC is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization that serves as a resource, leader and advocate for the Lincoln Park business community while encouraging and supporting economic development in the area. Learn more at lincolnparkchamber.com.