LISC Milwaukee announces Program Officer – Small Business & Commercial Revitalization position

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Milwaukee LISC invites applicants for the exempt full-time position of Program Officer-Small Business & Commercial Revitalization. The primary responsibility of the Program Officer will be to advance revitalization efforts in select commercial corridors and support the small businesses located within them by designing and conducting trainings, providing technical assistance, and managing relationships with partners. The Program Officer will serve as the primary liaison between LISC, community development corporations, non-profits, Milwaukee DCD and Milwaukee Business Improvement Districts.

Background

With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. LISC is widely recognized as the nation’s premier community development intermediary. It has a 37-year history of providing financial and technical assistance to community-based organizations and public entities focused on the redevelopment of urban neighborhoods and rural communities. With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. LISC works in partnership with nonprofits, residents, public sector and private sector entities build vital and resilient communities. Our approach is comprehensive – one that values resident involvement and recognizes the importance of an integrated approach to revitalization. We work collaboratively to address housing and commercial development, along with family income and asset building, workforce issues, education, economic development and the many aspects of a great neighborhood – places to play, access to health care, community safety and more. Milwaukee LISC has been active in the region since 1995. For more information visit www.lisc.org/milwaukee.

Reporting

The Program Officer of Small Business & Commercial Revitalization will report directly to the Executive Director or as designated by the Executive Director.

Position Description

The Program Officer has lead responsibility for:

• developing and overseeing contracts with partners for commercial corridor services that advance local efforts;
• managing LISC’s relationship with select Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) through the development and implementation of a coordinated effort that provides ongoing contact with BIDs, and a regular training program for BID staff;
• serving as the primary liaison between LISC and Milwaukee DCD and BIDs;
• supporting place-based initiatives that aid in commercial revitalization and business attraction, retention and expansion commercial corridors;
• participate in community safety initiatives that support strong commercial corridors;
• utilizing LISC programming relating to creative place-making as appropriate;
• nurturing partnerships with other entities that support commercial corridor initiatives, such as BIDs, various chambers of commerce, and  universities;
• serving as point person for BID District Directors/Mangers by providing guidance and assistance, problem-solving and other technical assistance on commercial corridor strategies to selected BID districts;
• providing or coordinating the provision of programmatic technical assistance to grantees and partners;
• tracking progress on programmatic and funding milestones;
• conducting research, gathering and analyzing data that supports programmatic outcomes;
• assisting and supporting the Executive Director as needed;
• and fulfilling other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.

Specific Duties

• Recommend solutions on specific matters and issues of critical concern.
• Assist districts in identifying innovative techniques for attracting, retaining and growing small business enterprises.
• Compile documentation of program impact and assist in compiling reports to funders reporting.
• Assist in the development of promotional and marketing materials.  
• Provide support to the entrepreneur development ecosystem and the full-cycle of activities related to entrepreneurship and small business lending. This includes assessing business feasibility, developing financing strategies and helping partners to access grants as well as conventional financing.
• Structure and coordinate small business lending in connection with LISC affiliates.
• Manage and monitor the budget related to privately-raised funds supporting the Commercial Revitalization Program.
• Create initiatives or TA that achieve economy of scale for limited TA funds.
• Manage all TA consultant contracts under LISC’s policies while managing client expectations.
• Provide or coordinate the provision of programmatic technical assistance to grantees and partners.
• Develop and oversee contracts with partners for commercial corridor services that supplement and complement the work staff.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business, economics, urban planning or finance. Master’s degree preferred.

2. Minimum (5) years of demonstrated experience in community and/or economic development or CDFI experience.

3. Minimum three (3) years technical assistance experience, with the skill sets and sensibilities to work effectively with nonprofit, community-based partners.

4. Proven skills in financial analysis and in evaluating financial statements.

5. Must embrace and promote a culture of individual and shared trust and accountability – internally and externally; ability to work in a team oriented environment.

6. Demonstrated strategic thinking and analysis.

7. Knowledge of Milwaukee’s Business Improvement Districts.

8. Knowledge of commercial corridor strategies that succeed in urban neighborhoods.

9. Strong oral communication skills and public speaking experience.

10. Strong negotiating skills.

11. Strong writing skills; ability to write clear and concise business communications, such as memos, budget summaries, policies, procedures, and performance reviews.

12. Ability to read and interpret complex work-related documents such as laws and regulations.

13. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, delegate work as well as recommend and implement solutions to complex problems.

Application Process

Candidates should send a resume, cover letter, one writing sample, three professional references, and salary requirements. Use the cover letter to describe what in your professional background demonstrates the competencies sought and what interests you most about working for Milwaukee LISC.

Send all materials to DONSIA STRONG HILL VIA E-MAIL: dstronghill@lisc.org

Please type “Program Officer-Small Business & Commercial Revitalization” in the subject line of the email.

ONLY E-MAIL APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED - No Phone Calls Please

LISC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

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