The Downtown Development Specialist will work with downtown businesses, organizations, city leaders and community members to create a place people want to live, work and visit. This position enthusiastically and consistently promotes downtown development through various public relation strategies, and will build collaborative ventures with diverse constituents based on City economic development initiatives.

Other duties may be assigned. This list may not include all tasks and/or knowledge which may be expected of the employee, nor does it cover all of the specific duties which may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Develop and recommend an annual marketing strategy that effectively promotes the downtown and educates the public.
• Create and coordinate production and placement/distribution of a wide variety of promotional materials for both seasonal and individual events and mechanisms to maximize visibility, and attendance of the downtown and its events.
• Plan and coordinate special events to promote Downtown Bloomington, which includes but is not limited to the Farmers’ Market and First Fridays.
• Create and implement both seasonal and individual event marketing plans, budgets and strategies as needed for downtown special events.
• Maintain all online promotional and communication sites for Downtown Bloomington, including but not limited to the Downtown Bloomington website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Nextdoor, etc.
• Create and oversee paid advertising for Downtown Bloomington.
• Research, analyze and monitor community demographics in order to capitalize on marketing opportunities and expand the customer base patronizing the Downtown and its special events.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Downtown Bloomington Businesses. Provide updates about events and other happenings in the downtown.
• Develop and maintain additional revenue streams via corporate event sponsorships, market vendor fees and implement programs to maintain these funding sources.
• Serve as manager-on-duty at the Farmers’ Market to ensure a staff presence at each public event.
• Develop and implement communication and media strategies that successfully deliver information and key messages to the public.
• Manage the use of external resources as they pertain to the marketing and communications function.
• Keep abreast of marketing trends.
• Initiate planning strategies, research and ongoing marketing and communication in order to champion the recruitment of businesses, residents and visitors to downtown Bloomington.
• Be knowledgeable and informed of opportunities available in order to highlight the advantages of downtown Bloomington.
• Serve as the point of contact for downtown information, options and referrals.
• Work with key internal and external stakeholders throughout the City to determine development objectives, action plans and activities to complete key initiatives.
• Identify, secure, and provide over-sight of grant funding to subsidize activities that achieve downtown development goals and objectives.
• Serve on various committees as appropriate and as staff liaison to the DBA Board and sub-committees.
• Coordinate beautification initiatives for the Downtown area.
• Participate in the selection, training and oversight of office interns and volunteers.
• Serve as staff liaison to civic organizations representing and promoting Downtown Bloomington and its events and programs.
• Manage administrative office tasks including record keeping, project status reporting, meeting agendas, etc.

Education/Experience

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, advertising, business administration, agriculture or related field. Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in marketing and communications. Graphic design experience and proficient in Adobe Creative Suite preferred. Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Certificates and Licenses: Valid Illinois State Driver’s License and ability to meet the transportation requirements of the job.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requires vision (which may be corrected) to read small print. Requires the mobility to walk, stand, stoop, reach, and bend. Requires mobility of arms to reach and dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate small objects. Requires the ability to travel throughout the City to its various work locations. Work environments are indoors and outdoors and employees work in a wide variety of conditions. Perform lifting, pushing and/or pulling which does not exceed 25 pounds and is an infrequent aspect of the job.