Director of Economic Development - Apply by Feb. 15, 2016

The Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is seeking an individual experienced in business development to provide liaison, marketing, and economic development expertise to fulfill the mission and guide the activities of the Chamber. This is a senior staff position with the largest Chamber of Commerce in the East Bay.

The employee will act as first point of contact for chamber members, city staff and other stakeholders regarding economic development information, data, assistance, and expertise. The employee will play an instrumental role in creating a smoothly functioning office by providing support, supervision, and leadership to multiple department staff, acting as a liaison to Chamber committees, and creating a welcoming environment for Chamber members.

Other duties include:

• Facilitate partnerships with the City of Oakland, Port of Oakland and other partners to leverage resources; act as liaison to other organizations and service providers to achieve mutual goals
• Convene and provide staff support to the Chamber Economic Development Leadership Team, and three standing committees
• Assist managing the Chamber’s “Hub” workforce development initiative, involving technical and coordination support.
• Organize and curate the Chamber’s monthly economic development programming and annual economic development summit
• Participate as a member of the Chamber team in public and economic policy issues, event production, membership, operations assistance and other issues and projects as relevant
• Assist managing subcontractor relationships.

Required Abilities

The ideal candidate will be comfortable balancing complex, deadline-driven projects with essential daily tasks, employing careful priority identification and strong decision making skills. They should be highly organized and detail-oriented, with advanced written and verbal communication skills and a proven ability to communicate to members and the public the importance of the Chamber’s objectives in economic development. The candidate should enjoy regular interactions with a wide range of people, consistently providing excellent customer service, and demonstrating the ability to work collaboratively and implement results with many diverse stakeholders. 

Preferred skills include: experience providing management and support to multiple staffers, database management, data collection and analysis skills, an understanding of local resources including: local economic development programs and organizations, business attraction and retention strategies, and regional/national best practices. Five or more years of professional experience directly related to economics, business, marketing, business development, city planning, public policy, or a related field.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience and education. The Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce offers a range of health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits.

To Apply

Submit a cover letter and resume including current salary.

Please answer the following supplemental questions:

• Provide a description of two successful economic/business development initiatives in which you have lead or had a significant role in planning. Describe the initiative, goals, and your role and responsibilities.
• Describe the role for economic development that a Chamber of Commerce can effectively achieve. Detail your vision in the context of job creation, business attraction, and retention.

Submit application materials to Barbara Leslie President and CEO, Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce via email to: lana@oaklandchamber.com by 5pm on 2/15/2016.

Oakland launches ‘Promise’ initiative to triple number of college graduates

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Antwan Wilson have launched the Oakland Promise. Over the next decade this cradle-to-career effort will triple the number of low-income Oakland public school graduates who complete a post-secondary education.

“This is the single most transformative thing we can do for Oakland and its young people,” said Mayor Schaaf. “In a district where 71 percent of students are low-income, ensuring that more of our kids earn a college degree has the potential to interrupt generational poverty. Today, we’re raising the bar for this entire community by setting out a clear expectation for our children’s futures and giving them the tools and the support to exceed those expectations.”

Within a decade the Oakland Promise will:

• Open 55,000 college savings accounts for Oakland children
• Invest $100 million in college scholarships
• Serve nearly 200,000 students and families across Oakland
• Triple the number of college graduates from Oakland

“The partnerships and resources coming together through the Oakland Promise will help us ensure that every student graduates prepared for success in college, career, and community,” said Superintendent Wilson.

Mayor Schaaf and Superintendent Wilson were joined at Oakland High School for the launch by Oakland Promise lead partners from the City of Oakland, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), East Bay College Fund and the Oakland Public Education Fund. California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom and OUSD graduate and current Oakland teacher Michael Jefferson delivered keynote remarks, speaking to the importance of the broad-based Oakland effort.

“For too many, economic growth has become a spectator sport and we know that income inequality is synonymous with barriers to educational opportunity,” said Lt. Governor Newsom. “The Oakland Promise offers a model for the rest of the state, weaving together the best practices to tackle generational poverty in a way never done before.”

The Chamber would like to thank its members who gave generously to Oakland Promise: Kaiser Permanente, PG&E, The Clorox Company, Golden State Warriors, AT&T, Comcast, Wells Fargo, Donahue Fitzgerald, East Bay Community Fund, EMC Research, Madison Park Financial, and Visit Oakland.

If you would like to donate to Oakland Promise, please visit www.theoaklandpromise.org.