Department: Neighborhood and Business Development
City of Syracuse residency is required for this position. If you are not a resident, you have six (6) months from your date of hire to establish residency.
Job Description
The work involves responsibility for advancing and managing the day-to-day work of the Business Development and Community Investment divisions of the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development. The Deputy will be primarily responsible for the oversight and day-to-day supervision of the staff of the Business Development and Community Investment teams. The Deputy is responsible for working closely with the Commissioner and Division heads on Department wide administration and strategic initiatives. The incumbent also provides strategic direction and collaborates closely with the City’s public authorities — namely the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency, Syracuse Local Development Corporation, and Syracuse Economic Development Corporation. The Deputy must be detail oriented; possess strong time management skills; and have the ability to independently manage complex projects. The incumbent works under general supervision of the Commissioner and will work closely with the Office of the Mayor on strategic economic development initiatives. Certain assignments made for an employee will require reasonable access to transportation to meet fieldwork requirements made in the ordinary course of business in a timely and efficient manner. The incumbent will perform related work as required.
Typical Work Activities
- Coordinate with City departments including Syracuse Police, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Code Enforcement, Fire, and other divisions to address streetscape maintenance, public safety, and beautification efforts in the public right of way (ROW) and public spaces within entertainment districts and commercial corridors.
- Maintain and facilitate schedules for district maintenance and enhancement activities, including overgrowth management, trash and debris collection, lighting issues, and identification of opportunities for additional improvements that support district vibrancy and safety.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, and nightlife-related businesses to address quality-of-life, safety, and operational concerns.
- Work with property owners, businesses, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and neighborhood organizations to resolve issues related to noise, crowd management, cleanliness, and general district conditions.
- Monitor and assist with road reconstruction projects, utility work, outdoor dining installations, and other right-of-way improvements affecting commercial and nightlife districts.
- Utilize and promote reporting tools such as SeeClickFix, IPS, and SYR Cityline to identify and respond to corridor and nightlife-related issues.
- Assist with proactive outreach and engagement related to planned investments, construction impacts, special events, and district activation efforts; work alongside the City Communications Team and Public Information Officers (PIOs) to draft and disseminate updates to impacted stakeholders.
- Support placemaking and district activation initiatives, including temporary storefront activations, pop-ups, outdoor dining, public art, and special events designed to increase foot traffic and economic activity.
- Perform other related projects as assigned, including but not limited to:
- Working directly with businesses, nightlife operators, entrepreneurs, developers, and economic development partners to track and monitor ongoing investments within Syracuse business corridors.
- Drafting and assisting in the preparation of reports, presentations, and office projects related to district conditions, nightlife activity, and economic development.
- Researching, analyzing, and reporting on applicable governmental programs, policies, and legislation affecting business development, placemaking, nightlife, and district management.
- Gathering, compiling, analyzing, and presenting data related to local business conditions, corridor performance, and public safety trends to support informed decision-making and problem-solving.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Excellent written and communication skills. Highly organized, detail oriented, and ability to multitask.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) required
- Knowledge of ArcGIS, ESRI data sources, or other tools and platforms to support municipal efforts.
- Ability to work with a broad range of stakeholders, including City of Syracuse staff from various departments, for-profit developers, not-for-profit agencies, and neighborhood-based organizations
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum 6 years of economic development, community development, real estate finance, financial services or other related field with at least 1 year of supervisory experience
- A master's degree in public administration, business administration, economic, finance, urban planning/development, or related field preferred; or commensurate professional experience
Benefits
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
- Retirement plan
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The Affirmative Action Policy of the City of Syracuse is to provide equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, creed, age (18 and over), marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, gender identity or gender expression, sexual or affectional preference or orientation, or any other classified group within the protected class. The City also complies with 31 CFR part 51. If you have a disability for which you wish special accommodation to be made, contact the Office of Human Resources at 315-448-8780 or personnel@syr.gov.
The City of Syracuse may conduct a criminal background check with regard to the employment sought.