The Office of Economic Development’s purpose is to shape the future of Seattle’s economy and make it more equitable, prosperous, and competitive. We do this work by leading projects and making investments that open up access to economic opportunities, reduce the racial wealth gap, and encourage innovation and growth.

We are looking for a Commercial Affordability & Real Estate Advisor who will serve as a subject matter expert for OED’s commercial affordability policy and program work. You will structure significant new department programs in affordability and partner with, advise, and make policy recommendations on matters of commercial affordability. This is a new position for the department, and you will be finding and exploring opportunities to advance city policy objectives in a shifting commercial real estate sector, as well as developing relationships across the industry and industry-supporting organizations.

Your top 3 priorities will be:

3. Advancing the Future of Seattle Economy (FSE) agenda by focusing on the strategic framework of Commercial Affordability and developing an outcomes and community-minded commercial affordability team and program structure within OED:

• Developing, implementing, and overseeing Commercial Affordability programs, including Tenant Improvement and Seattle Restored. 
• Working collaboratively with program partners to expand and evolve these programs to benefit small businesses in Seattle meeting program outcomes, supporting communications, outreach, data tracking, and program design.
• Supervising a team of 3, including the Tenant Improvement Advisor, the Seattle Restored Advisor, and Community Development Specialist

2. Accelerating commercial affordability and economic development impact, short and long term, by driving policy and engaging key collaborators towards policy outcomes.

• Recommending and informing policies to shape long-term impacts on commercial affordability for small businesses, such as gift of public funds, vacant storefronts and/or commercial space incentives, and land use policy changes to support small businesses and address existing barriers.
• Providing data-informed policy recommendations promoting commercial affordability to key internal and external collaborators, including the Director of OED, City Councilmembers, and community members.
• Working to build pathways for small businesses to access affordable commercial real estate that leads to wealth creation.

3. Building and fostering key collaborator relationships to identify, track, and assess industry trends within commercial real estate impacting small businesses and opportunities for strategic improvements. 

• Communicating new and changing policies at the City and staying informed on policy impact to end users.
• Representing OED and the City in creating trusted partnerships with collaborators, such as community members, the real estate community, and business leaders, to envision, develop, and implement business support and commercial affordability strategies.
• Identifying public-private partnerships that further OED's mission to advance access to economic opportunity and support small businesses and underrepresented communities in Seattle.

You will be most successful if you have proven experience in program development and management in short-and-long-term timelines, project management skills, and budget management. A commitment to listening, creating space for diverse perspectives, and engaging with the community must be at the center of your professional practice. The ability to communicate at all levels thoughtfully and effectively will also contribute to your success. Specifically, you’ll be prepared to take on this role with a combination of the following:

Experience and skills in:

• Strategy development and implementation toward sustained economic and community outcomes
• Developing and nurturing ongoing, effective, positive collaborations with agency, community, and political partners, particularly in new, emerging landscapes
• Developing, implementing, and communicating policy 
• People and team management, particularly providing clear guidance, direction, coaching and supporting team growth and development
• Developing outcome-based strategies 
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with excellent customer experience intuition 
• Keeping the big picture at the forefront while maintaining an attention to detail 

The ability to:

• Design, organize, and implement commercial affordability programs 
• Achieve outcomes and creatively solve problems while working in a complex and changing environment 
• Write clear, compelling reports, provide landscape analyses and memos, and develop and deliver presentations
• Promote commercial affordability strategies by leading with influence within a political environment, serving as a bridge between the City and external partners
• Encourage and foster a culture of sharing best practices and solutions across networks and cultures  
• Advise and consult leadership to drive community and data-informed decision making 
• Calibrate industry trends and goals to align with City goals
• Ask the right questions to find opportunities for policy change 
• Apply your knowledge of commercial affordability, commercial real estate, and economic development

A passion for:

• Advancing opportunities for members of underserved, underrepresented communities, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and Women
• Operating and applying a lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to increase access and affordability to commercial real estate for businesses that haven’t had equitable access in historical and current settings
• Implementing actions that support an anti-racist culture with mindfulness of the persistence and impact of racism in Seattle
• Influencing regulatory, procedural, and policy changes to support local economic growth and affordability 
• Modeling the practice of positive intent and curiosity
• Creating a strong, supportive team among reports and partners 

Additional Information

This civil service position reports to the Community Wealth Building Manager and is classified as a Strategic Advisor 1, General Government and is exempt from FLSA (not eligible for overtime). The full pay range for this discretionary pay position is $48.19 - $72.23 hourly. The pay range for this individual position has been identified as $56.00 - $61.00 hourly ($116,928.00 - $127,368.00 annually, based on 2088 hours per year).

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to work in-office a minimum of two days a week. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor. Moderate local travel and possible regional travel will be required, as well as occasional evening and weekend in-person meetings. 

First round interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, August 21 and/or Thursday, August 22, with the second round taking place on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. All interviews will take place virtually using Microsoft Teams.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

We hope to have this position filled with a preferred start date in September 2024 (this date is flexible based on the availability of the new employee).

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

The City offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/ no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume which illustrates your related skills, experience, and abilities
• Cover Letter explaining your interest in this opportunity with OED and your ability to perform in this role

This position is open to all applicants who demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above. The department values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. OED encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov.