Agency Description
The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is a vibrant, client-centered agency whose mission is to serve New York’s small businesses, jobseekers and commercial districts. SBS makes it easier for companies in New York City to start, operate, and expand by providing direct assistance to business owners, supporting commercial districts, promoting financial and economic opportunity among minority- and women-owned businesses, preparing New Yorkers for jobs, and linking employers with a skilled and qualified workforce. SBS continues to reach for higher professional standards through innovative systems, new approaches to government, and a strong focus on its employees. SBS also works to make changes to the overall regulatory environment to help the small business community.

Division Description
The Division of Business Services (DBS) is dedicated to helping NYC businesses start, operate and expand in New York City while leading systemic change to improve the regulatory environment for businesses. The Division is guided by principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Job Description:
NYC BEST (Business Express Service Team) is a dedicated team who educate and advocate for entrepreneurs as they launch and operate their store front businesses across the five boroughs. Through their knowledge of city, state and federal agency rules and regulations, the team helps small business owners navigate licenses and permits as well as avoid and reduce fines and violations.

The NYC BEST Small Business Advocate will work directly with new and operating storefront businesses in New York City. The NYC BEST Small Business Advocate will provide insightful advice to business owners and licensed professionals, assisting them with understanding and navigating relevant City policies and regulations. To facilitate this work, NYC BEST Small Business Advocates will become experts in the regulatory requirements of multiple City or State agencies, as well as relevant Federal regulations as needed, including but not limited to: the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Department of Buildings (DOB), Fire Department (FDNY), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Department of Consumer & Worker Protection (DCWP) and New York State Agriculture and Markets (Ags and Market) and State Liquor Authority (SLA).

Roles and Responsibilities:
The Program Manager for NYC BEST will manage NYC BEST initiatives including vendors as well as manage team data, reporting and external engagement. They will also be required to understand City and State policies and regulations as they will work closely with NYC BEST service delivery units. Specific responsibilities include:

Project Management
- Manage initiatives that support businesses navigating regulatory requirements and City services from project planning through implementation and completion. These initiatives include NYC BEST Bootcamp, NYC BEST In Your Community and NYC BEST Newsletter

- Develop project plans, timelines, deliverables, and milestones to support business assistance initiatives.

- Monitor project progress and ensure program goals and operational milestones are achieved.

- Work with internal SBS teams and partner agencies to resolve issues affecting project progress

- Communicate project updates, timelines, and expectations to participating stakeholders.

- Maintain accurate project records in designated systems including status updates, regulatory requirements, inspection activity, project timelines, and business outcomes.

- Prepare reports and presentations summarizing program outcomes and project progress.

- Assist with projects and programs that support the agency’s broader economic development goals

Performance Management
- Ensure Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) & program goals are met, and that data is correctly entered in SBS Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software

- Develop and implement tracking systems to monitor service delivery pipeline

- Track performance metrics such as project milestones, business openings, and operational efficiencies.

- Track and report KPIs on a regular basis for Executive-level staff through Dashboards, reports and presentations

- Support leadership with pipeline development for new initiatives, partnerships, and service improvements.

Subject Matter Research & Program Improvement
- Conduct research and analysis storefront trend across the five boroughs

- Help expand and deepen impact NYC BEST’s small business support by proposing areas for improvement and development

- Use quantitative and qualitative research to inform the creation of new policies and practices

Business Outreach and Pipeline Management
- Coordinate small business outreach strategies

- Develop and implement strategies to increase small business client pipeline for NYC BEST

- Identify opportunities for program promotion to businesses; coordinate and represent SBS at events

- Compile client success stories, ensuring examples represent the storefront small business diversity of New York City

- Support promotional activities to raise awareness among business owners

- Work collaboratively and professionally with other members within the Division and vendor partners to coordinate services

- Develop guidance materials outlining regulatory steps and compliance requirements for business owners.

- Build and maintain relationships with business owners, industry professionals, and community stakeholders.

- Coordinate meetings, outreach events, and program presentations to promote City services and support business engagement.

- Participate in meetings, events, and interagency initiatives across the five boroughs and to be available for evening and weekend events (as needed).

Administrative Tasks
- Support training practices of NYC BEST staff including maintaining the team Standard Operating Procedure

- Develop and maintain team materials and collateral

- Support leadership in setting NYC BEST goals

- Synthesize complex information into presentations and reports for various audiences

- Respond to time-sensitive requests from City Hall, SBS Executive Staff, elected officials, press, and the public

- Support customer survey design and implementation

- Conduct quality assurance tests to evaluate service delivery and data collection

- Vendor support (as needed)


How to Apply:

All Applicants: Apply through https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/ search for Job ID: # 774429

Current SBS Employees: Please email your resume and cover letter including the following subject line: Program Manager, NYC Best and send to careers@sbs.nyc.gov

Note: We appreciate the interest and thank all applicants who apply, but only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.

If you do not have access to email, mail your cover letter & resume to:
NYC Department of Small Business Services
Human Resources Unit
1 Liberty Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, New York 10006

COMMUNITY COORDINATOR - 56058

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

At least 1 year of strong project management and organizational skills Ability to manage multiple initiatives and meet deadlines Knowledge of business regulatory requirements and permitting processes - Experience using customer relationship management tools or other database systems in order to track and manage services and outcomes - Strong research and data analysis skills with intermediate Excel skills - Excellent written and verbal communication abilities - Experience coordinating with government agencies or external stakeholders - Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and project tracking systems - Additional language capacity. Preferred fluency or working knowledge of, Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Russian, Korean, Polish, Haitian Creole, or French. - Experience conducting external presentations - Ability to synthesize complex regulatory information into clear guidance for businesses

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.