Apply on Employer Site

Empire State Development · 2 hours ago

Economic Development Program Specialist 2 (NY HELPS)

Albany, NY

Full-time

Onsite

Mid Level

$87K/yr - $110K/yr

3+ years exp

Empire State Development is seeking an Economic Development Program Specialist 2 to promote growth and opportunity for MWBE firms throughout New York State. The incumbent will act as a liaison, manage business development programs, and provide support and training to agencies and MWBEs.

Business DevelopmentGovernmentTraining

Responsibilities

Identifies business opportunities in contracting and capital programs for MWBEs, and counsels MWBEs on contract access strategies including but not limited to creating/improving capability statements, bidding, RFP proposals and access to capital resources

Monitors assigned New York State agency/authority procurements, Request for Proposals (“RFPs”) and contracting opportunities in the New York State Contract Systems (“NYSCS”), and via partnership meetings and general research for MWBE matchmaking

Provides support to agencies/authorities in identifying viable MWBEs for their opportunities. Support activities include but is not limited to assisting with the NYS Directory of Certified Firms, pulling MWBE data based on parameters including business location and NAICs codes, promoting agency/authority procurement events and meeting with agencies to develop business development strategies

Track certified firms for prime and subcontracting opportunities based on the parameters provided by agency/authority or Prime Contractors

Develop/maintain relationships with agencies/authorities and prime contractors to create pathways for MWBE supply chain networks and their access to contract opportunities

Develops and provides training and technical assistance workshops and resource materials to agencies/authorities, municipalities and businesses in identifying and accessing MWBE contracting opportunities, access to capital, marketing to government agencies and general business strategies

Serves in a program management role for Division programs including the Business Growth Accelerator Program. This role includes but is not limited to leading weekly check-in meetings with Incubator leads, reviewing programmatic reports, providing oversight on program delivery and reporting progress to management

Works with agencies/authorities, MWBEs, and external stakeholders to promote and encourage full engagement in programs authorized under Article 15-A (such as MWBD-related procurement practices and reporting protocols), as well as policies and practices relating to new initiatives

Creates evaluation metrics, measures effectiveness, and elicits feedback for specific business development programs. Conducts meetings to share these results to help the participating agencies/authorities and/or stakeholders improve on current performance

Assists in event development and planning for Division-led events including the MWBE Regional Opportunities Expo Series and MWBE Forum. Planning assignments include but are not limited to developing panel/workshop topics, identifying recommended speakers, participating in briefing meetings and developing MWBE resource guides

Compiles economic/business development information needed for program management and MWBE service delivery purposes

Based on assignment, develops and maintains relationships with agencies/authorities, regional business organizations, banking institutions and prime contractors to connect MWBEs to business opportunities and promote Division events and programs

Represents Empire State Development and the Division in business events. Participation includes but is not limited to exhibiting, presenting, panelist/moderator roles and developing social media content

Monitors and responds to inquiries submitted to the Business Development Unit from MWBE vendors, agencies/authorities, prime contractors, and external organizations

Approximately 30% statewide travel to regions including, but not limited to, Western NY and Finger Lakes is required

Special projects and other relevant tasks as assigned

Qualification

Business developmentEconomic developmentProgram managementMinority business certificationPartnership developmentPowerPoint proficiencyExceptional writing skillsPresentation skills

Required

A bachelor's and three years of experience applying business knowledge, training and experience to provide a wide range of professional and management level economic development services for the promotion of business, tourism and international trade in New York State, providing technical advice and problem-solving assistance to economic development organizations and businesses by conducting business-to-business marketing programs, and promoting, publicizing, and developing strategic plans and initiatives related to business and economic development services