Back to Jobs search

Business Development Specialist

CITY OF COLUMBIA • Columbia, MO • 2d ago

Application Deadline:

Number of Positions Available:1

Hours:

8am - 5pm, Monday - Friday; additional hours as required

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Hours: 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday, with some after-hours work as required.

Must submit cover letter that includes reason for interest in position.

This position is open until filled with a preferred deadline of Friday, August 15, 2025

Job Description

(This job description/posting in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.)

The purpose of this job is to plan for, identify, and recruit retail and other economic development opportunities within the City of Columbia and targeted areas of Boone County, with an emphasis on under-served areas. This position plays a key role in advancing the citys economic vitality by facilitating commercial development in partnership with businesses, developers, and internal stakeholders.

Essential Functions:

Recruits retail businesses by inventorying relevant sites, identifying high-potential prospects, initiating engagement efforts, attending industry trade shows, responding to requests for information, and following up with prospects to understand needs and opportunities.

Facilitates commercial development projects by coordinating with external stakeholders and guiding them through regulatory and permitting processes as well as collaborating with City, County, and other development entities such as Community Development, City Utilities, and Public Works Departments.

Develops and implements revitalization strategies for under-served areas by promoting retail and economic growth through best practices, data analysis, and the identification of financing options.

Monitors relevant projects going through City and County Council review and approval processes (e.g., Planning and Zoning Commission).

Supports broader economic development efforts including site development, business attraction, retention, and expansion initiatives, administration of Chapter 100 processes and other financing tools, as well as identifying hurdles towards economic growth and recommending opportunities to remove or lower those hurdles.

Manages and communicates project activities by preparing reports, tracking progress, and ensuring alignment with departmental goals.

Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience(

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered):

Education and Experience

Bachelors Degree in Business, Planning, Public Administration, or related field

5 to 7 years' experience in retail/franchise real estate site selection, development, commercial lending, recruiting businesses to a municipal/county location, or a related field.

Licenses or Certifications

Valid drivers license.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of economic development, retail recruitment, and commercial revitalization.

Urban planning, land use, zoning, and regulatory processes and regulations relevant to ground up commercial development.

Financing tools and incentives such as Chapter 100 bonds, tax incremental financing (TIF), and development districts.

Local, regional, and national retail market trends and site selection criteria.

Methods for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting demographic, economic, and market data.

General office practices and administrative procedures, records management and administration techniques and procedures.

Skill in:

Recognizing, analyzing, and solving a variety

Similar Jobs

Account Representative

Crown Equipment Corporation • Columbia, MO • 1w ago

Sales & Marketing

Account Representative Location: Columbia, MO, US, 65201 Company Description: Crown Equipment Corporation, one of the world's largest lift truck manufacturers, offers local support on a global scale with more than 15 man...

1w ago

Go to Apply

Field Marketing Strategist

Biomat USA, Inc. • Columbia, MO • 3w ago

Sales & Marketing

Would you like to join an international team working to improve the future of healthcare? Do you want to enhance the lives of millions of people? Grifols is a global healthcare company that since 1909 has been working to...

3w ago

Go to Apply

Field Marketing Strategist

Biomat USA, Inc. • Columbia, MO • 3w ago

Sales & Marketing

3w ago

Go to Apply

Customer Service Representative

U-Haul • Columbia, MO • 4h ago

Management & Administrative

Location: 3615 Vandiver Dr, Columbia, Missouri 65202 United States of America Are you a people person? Do you love helping others? U-Haul is in search of friendly, motivated people for the position of Customer Service Re...

4h ago

Go to Apply

Customer Sales Guide

DriveTime • Columbia, MO • 4h ago

Management & Administrative

General Summary: What business need will this position fill? Responsible for being fully involved in sales and customer experience activities, both virtual and in-store. Performs various detailed tasks throughout the dea...

4h ago

Go to Apply

General Manager

Drury Hotels • Columbia, MO • 4h ago

Management & Administrative

Property Location:1000 Knipp Street - Columbia, Missouri 65203YOU BELONG AT DRURY HOTELSBe valued for what you do and who you are ... and well compensated for all you accomplish.Drury Hotels is family owned and operated....

4h ago

Go to Apply

Construction Management Program Manager

Atlas • Columbia, MO • 13h ago

Trucking & Construction

Atlas is a nationwide leader in civil engineering, materials testing and geotechnical consulting services for environmental, industrial and infrastructure construction projects. Headquartered in Austin, TX, Atlas current...

13h ago

Go to Apply

Certified Nurses Assistant

Sevita • Columbia, MO • 13h ago

Hospital & Medical

Mentor Community Services, a part of the Sevita family, provides community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Here we believe every person has the right to live well, and eve...

13h ago

Go to Apply

Shift Lead (Full-Time)

Taco Bell • Columbia, MO • 19h ago

Retail & Hospitality

"You are applying for work with a franchisee of Taco Bell, not Taco Bell Corp. or any of its affiliates. If hired, the franchisee will be your only employer. Franchisees are independent business owners who set their own...

19h ago

Go to Apply

Senior Quality Engineer - 90133

Schneider Electric USA, Inc • Columbia, MO • 2d ago

IT & Engineering

This Senior Quality Enginer expert agent will cover 30% of their workload as an Integrated Management System Engineer, 50% as a Senior Quality Engineer (Manufacturing Cost of Quality), and serve as the backup for the Man...

2d ago

Go to Apply

Subscribe to get new jobs sent directly to you
(no charge, cancel anytime)

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.