Senior Analyst Small Business Economic Development

Posting number: 2026-00639

Department: Economic and Social Advancement

Job classification: Economic Development Analyst, Senior

Posting type: Open

Categories: Economic Development, Business

Summary

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We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Economic Development Senior Analyst for our Small Business Development (SBD) Division, which helps Raleigh’s small businesses grow and thrive by offering funding, best practices, market data, tools and workforce development resources. SBD connects, strengthens, and inspires Raleigh’s small business community. This role will emphasize outreach including data collection and analysis, will raise awareness of SBD and small business resources, manage grant contracts, and oversee the alignment and functions of workforce development resources.

The Economic Development Senior Analyst will engage directly with small business owners, and aspiring entrepreneurs. This Senior Analyst will offer strategic solutions to broadly serve 20,000+ small businesses across Raleigh – including universal online solutions, and collaboration with various business support organizations with their own small business networks. The role will also serve as a connector and collaborator with regional workforce development organizations.

About You:

The successful candidate will bring their small business passion and expertise in outreach, engagement, contract grant management, workforce development resources, and partnership to guide the Small Business Development division in their outreach and advocacy efforts. This candidate has a proven track record of highly effective communication, problem solving, proactiveness, strategic initiatives, and credibility within the small business community. We are looking for an engaging, energetic, and innovative small business expert, who delivers results and is ready to take our Small Business Development team to the next level!

About Us:

The Department of Economic & Social Advancement (ESA) is dedicated to cultivating strong partnerships both within our organization and throughout the Raleigh community. Our unwavering commitment is to cultivate a thriving work and community environment where every individual is not only valued but also respected.

The Department of Economic & Social Advancement oversees strategy, programming, and projects related to social cohesion and economic development opportunities through our Business Engagement & Opportunities Program, Small Business Development, and Community Relations divisions. Through education/awareness, policy development, assessment, and action planning for issues related to community needs, local government partnerships, and economic growth.ESA is charged with identifying opportunities and implementing practices that advance the City of Raleigh in its economic and social cohesion efforts.

Work Hours:

This position is required to attend, lead, or support evening and weekend activities as needed.

Attachment(s) Required:

Applicants interested in this position should enclose the following:

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter (discussing interest in the role and ability to perform specific responsibilities based on previous employment experience)
3. Personal Statement (discussing alignment with the Departmental services and programs and the City Values)

Examples of duties

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

1. Programs

• Leads the City’s Façade Rehabilitation Grant Program, including application intake and vetting, committee review and selection, program management of key compliance deliverables, and periodic onsite inspections
• Provides administrative support for City Business Investment Grant program, coordinating with City Manager’s Office and Budget Management Services (mainly invoice processing)
• Develops Process Documentation for assigned programs, which defines procedures, decision criteria, and deliverables. The resulting Process Document will enable cross training and Continuous Improvement

2. Partnerships

• Supports and collaborates with Raleigh’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, including Business Alliances, Entrepreneurial Support Organizations, Co-Working/Maker spaces, Financial and Educational Institutions, and other relevant business support organizations
• Strengthens ties and identifies new opportunities with Workforce Development partners, including Capital Area Workforce Development, Wake Tech entrepreneurial development, and area Universities and Colleges
• Strengthens ties and identifies new opportunities with main street entrepreneurial co-working and co-making spaces, as well as main street entrepreneurial accelerators and incubators, from the perspective of Workforce Development and training

3. Resources and Tools

• Collaborates closely with ESA Department Communications Analyst, to boost awareness of SBD programs, partners, resources, tools, and events available to small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. Includes content input and coordination of Monthly Small Business Newsletter, SBD Annual Report, Partner Event Calendar, Business Resource Guide, Small Business startup resources, online SBD home page and resource pages, and other supporting collateral
• Supports the coordination and publication of periodic program reports, information resources, and the annual Small Business Resource Guide. Contributes to the economic development content on the City’s website and social media
• Leverages existing and emerging technologies for small business support, including SizeUP market data and best practices, Neighborly grant management platform, video tutorials, and potential future CRM, GIS, chatbot, and AI solutions
• Develops tailored workforce development resources through the established partnerships designed to meet the demands of the small, growing, emerging, and under-capitalized businesses

4. Outreach and Engagement

• Coordinates and supports SBD public events, including cross-division events within ESA, and cross-department events within the city. Also includes coverage at partner events. Coverage will include some off shift and weekend events, some lasting up to a full business day
• Leads and participates in the recently implemented SBD Outreach initiatives (District Walks and Office Hours), including scheduling, logistics, data collection and reporting
• Utilizes persuasive communication, engagement, negotiation and follow through to increase businesses support, participation, and trust in City processes and programs
• This role will be required to travel throughout the city to attend and participate in outreach initiatives and events

5. Strategic

• Manages assigned programs in alignment with the City’s Economic Development Strategy as adopted in the Comprehensive Plan and the Economic Development and Innovation Strategies identified in the City’s Strategic Plan. Applies Economic Development best practices to further City goals (for example IEDC, NCEDA, others)
• Supports assigned City Strategic Plan Initiative Team activities and deliverables
• Identifies opportunities to develop and grow small businesses throughout Raleigh. Collaborates with organizations, small businesses, and residents to promote and sustain jobs and economic advancement for residents of Raleigh

6. Other Duties

• As a Senior Analyst, inspire, guide, and support SBD team in times of supervisor absence
• Field, address, refer incoming service requests from small businesses
• Administration of SBD Division P-Card: purchasing, expenses, recordkeeping, reporting
• Supports broader ESA Departmental goals and collaborations as required

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, or related field; 3 to 5 years’ experience in finance, business, economics, grant management, or a related field

OR

Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted

Licenses or Certifications

Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5 years of community economic development experience, especially with Small Businesses
• 2 to 4 years' experience leading, working in, or advocating for small businesses
• 2 to 4 years' experience working with non-profits or local government
• IEDC Professional Certification (CEcD or EDP)
• Business experience/acumen is a plus

Supplemental information

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Passion for small businesses and their workforce. Experience engaging with, advocating for, and “speaking the language” of small businesses
• Excels with outreach and engagement: hosting virtual and in-person events, cold calling, business visits, presentations, public speaking. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other departments, elected officials, the media, and the public
• Excellent project management and time management skills, including planning, organizing, evaluating and implementation
• Highly adaptable in rapidly evolving situations

ADA and Other Requirements:

Work Environment and Physical Effort: Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an office or similar indoor environment. Employees may occasionally use a vehicle.

Work Exposures: Work in this position does not require frequent environmental exposures.

City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.