Business Development Specialist

The purpose of this position is to perform professional expertise and analytical work in supporting the comprehensive plan and economic development strategy for the City of Wausau and communicating those plans and goals to businesses and the broader community cohesively. The position is primarily responsible for implementing business retention and attraction efforts, encouraging the development of infrastructure and public amenities to support area business needs, marketing the City’s efforts to potential new businesses and strategic workforce populations including managing the City’s Wausome campaign, and advocating for public policy and tools that improve the economic competitiveness and quality of life features of the City.

• Assists in development and implements components of economic and business development to attract new and expanding industrial and commercial development to the City.
• Promotes communication plans and strategy that build awareness and support for the City’s programs and initiatives related to community and economic development opportunities and challenges.
• Along with the Director, supports the Economic Development Committee and helps to implement the City’s economic development strategy.
• Provides technical assistance to businesses and community groups to communicate City initiatives, efforts and program tools that increase the City’s economic competitiveness.
• Exercises discretion in coordinating tailored assistance to businesses and assists in directing resources for short and long-term business expansion goals.
• Gathers, analyzes and presents economic development trend information clearly and effectively in order to allow businesses and government officials to easily access the information.
• Assists in the design and implementation of the economic development marketing program to attract new businesses to the City of Wausau by managing the Planning, Community and Economic Development websites and pages, the City of Wausau Government Facebook brand, and the Wausome.com branding initiatives, writing news releases, visiting business and industry representatives, and making public presentations.
• Tracks compliance of the City’s Tax Increment Financing district plans and status of active development agreements.
• Consults with state and national agencies, developers, and commercial brokers; reviews and critiques large scale development proposals.
• Assists with the department’s financing programs and federal funding including administering the City’s economic development fund.
• Assists the department in administrative functions including preparation of program budgets and staffing.

Associate Degree in the field of Business, Finance, Accounting, or closely-related field; Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Political Science, Business Administration, Communications, Public Relations, Public Administration, or related field preferred. Additionally a minimum of two years of experience working on related and specialized public communication initiatives or development programs, or the combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.

This position is classified as non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

The starting hourly rate is $21.03 - $25.24 DOQ. 

The City of Wausau offers a full range of excellent benefits including Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance, Wisconsin Retirement System enrollment, additional voluntary retirement system options, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, and Income Continuation Insurance.

Employees of the City of Wausau have 9 paid holidays off and receive vacation leave, sick leave, and personal holiday leave.