Commercial Corridor Manager

Work Objectives

The corridor manager coordinates activities centered on local businesses, commercial development, beautification, and marketing within the Hunting Park and Feltonville neighborhood of North Philadelphia served by Esperanza. The corridor manager will carry out economic development activities designed to enhance economic opportunities and create a sustainable neighborhood that will benefit the low- and moderate-income residents of the corridor as defined by the Department of Commerce’s Targeted Corridor Management (TCMP) program. The corridor manager is the principal on-staff person responsible for the execution of these activities and evaluation of outcomes. 

Full Range of Duties to be Performed

The Commercial Corridor manager should carry out the following tasks:

§ Coordinate the activities of the Hunting Park and Feltonville Business Association, ensuring that communication among businesses and other neighborhood groups is well established.

§ Manage all administrative aspects of the Targeted Corridor Management program and contract, including purchasing, record keeping, budget development, accounting, assisting with the preparation of reports to funding agencies, delivery of services to achieve contracted outcomes and supervising consultants.

§ Develop, in conjunction with the executive team, development strategies that are focused around support to local businesses and utilize the community’s human and economic resources. Become familiar with all persons and groups directly and indirectly involved in improving the condition of the corridor and surrounding Hunting Park and Feltonville neighborhoods.

§ Develop communications for on-going public awareness programs in conjunction with Esperanza’s marketing and communications department including public appearances designed to enhance appreciation of the corridor’s assets and potential. 

§ Assist individual business owners with improvement projects through personal consultation and referral to city resources. Maximize the offerings available through workforce development including financing workshops, a pool of employees from the community, and retention services. 

§ Coordinate promotional events to improve the exposure of local businesses and the corridor; work closely with Esperanza’s Marketing Department to ensure maximum coverage of promotional activities; encourage excellence in all aspects of promotion in order to advance an image of quality for the City of Philadelphia and Commerce department.

§ Leverage Esperanza’s corporate and community redevelopment relationships to ensure success of corridor management activities.

§ Help build strong and productive relationships with appropriate public agencies at the local and state levels. Able to speak effectively about business-related and broader development directions and work. 

§ Collect information related to outcomes and program improvement, while being mindful of the need to evaluate strategies and document success.

§ Prepare related reports for Esperanza’s executive team and funders as needed.

§ Manage and supervise Corridor Cleaning Ambassador staff to ensure the continued cleanliness of all managed commercial corridors.

§ Coordinate logistics for Esperanza Housing & Economic Development department-wide events including cleanups, volunteer days, and special events. 

Job Knowledge and Skills Required 

The Commercial Corridor Manager should have education and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: commercial district management, economics, finance, public relations, planning, business administration, public administration, retailing, non-profit administration, and/or small business development. The Commercial Corridor Manager must understand the issues confronting small business owners in underserved communities. The manager must be entrepreneurial, energetic, imaginative, well-organized, and capable of functioning effectively in an independent environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Spanish are essential. 

Other Requirements

· Valid driver’s license; must be able to drive a company vehicle. 

· Ability to adhere to somewhat flexible hours, with some evening and weekend events and activities throughout the calendar year for this program and Esperanza Housing and Economic Development.