Business Navigator
Business Navigator
Salary
$59,911.38 - $95,085.82 Annually
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
25HED843TV345
Closing Date
9/23/2025 11:59 PM Central
Description
The Housing and Economic Development Department (HED) is seeking an experienced professional to join our Economic Development team as a Business Navigator. The Business Navigator position will have primary responsibility for the business resource navigation functions of Hennepin County’s flagship brand of small business support, Elevate Hennepin. This includes several meetings per week with Hennepin County business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs who are seeking information and referrals to available resources that best fit their unique needs and interests.
The Business Navigator will also work with a small team to conduct culturally responsive outreach and engagement with small business owners in community settings. Responsibilities also include organizing and updating information about business resources from a variety of sources, providing excellent follow-through and maintaining responsive, professional communications with business clients, business advisors, service providers, as well as internal and external partners. Creative, versatile, and self-motivated professionals from diverse backgrounds who want to make a difference in their communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit employee referral program. Find us here at upcoming career fairs!
Location and hours:
This position is hybrid and will be performed both on-site at 625 4th Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55415, and remote as job duties require. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. This position may require attending some evening and weekend meetings or events. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
Note:
Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a resume and cover letter. Candidates will be asked to provide a work sample and those invited to the second interview will be given a data/information and asked to complete a summary during the interview process designed to simulate related project work.
About this position type:
This is a full-time, benefit earning position. This position is internally classified as a Planning Analyst, Senior. To view the job classification specification, click here.
In this position, you will:
· Represent Hennepin County’s business support programming through face-to-face meetings, virtual consultations, webinars, and presentations to local business groups, agency, and city partners.
· Develop, maintain, update, and share resource offerings from Hennepin County and partner agencies, including systems for matching business clients with targeted resources that can be replicated by other team members.
· Conduct inclusive, culturally competent outreach, including planning and conducting meetings and events.
· Complete client referrals, pre- and post-meeting and event communications and follow-through with business clients and other stakeholders in a timely and professional manner.
· Cultivate and maintain ongoing relationships with Hennepin County stakeholders in the business community, including intra-agency, city, and other state and federal business support programs.
· Manage and implement data tracking, including basic information and outcomes of meetings, consultations, and events.
· Assist with other project and contract management tasks including drafting, negotiating and executing contracts; performing due diligence on vendors; tracking contract compliance; managing program financials; and overseeing payments.
· Support other economic development initiatives as-needed, which may include programs that support place-based approaches to enhance business districts, and those that provide technical and financial assistance to entrepreneurs and expanding businesses.
Need to have:
· One of the following:
o Bachelor's degree or higher in business administration, public administration, research methods, statistics, behavioral/social science, public health, computer science/MIS, management science, or urban/city planning and two years or more of related experiences.
o Related education and/or experience to total six years.
· Access to reliable transportation to attend occasional meetings throughout Hennepin County.
Nice to have:
· Experience:
o Managing projects, coordinating, planning, and implementing programs, events, and outreach to businesses.
o Developing and implementing strategies to support and grow small businesses.
o Organizing meetings, setting agendas, taking effective notes, synthesizing action items, and, tracking progress toward goals.
· Knowledge of or interest in:
o Engaging with emerging entrepreneurs and small business owners, especially those that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
o Creating a level playing field so that all residents, including those in communities of color or low-income communities, have opportunities to grow their entrepreneurial skills.
o Using research and data to inform development and operation of programs.
· Ability to:
o Take on responsibilities at a variety of levels, including administrative tasks, project management, and strategy development.
o Manage multiple tasks simultaneously, work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing needs and priorities.
o Demonstrate a strong attention to detail to produce accurate and error-free work.
o Provide excellent customer service when dealing with vendors, clients, and program partners.
o Demonstrate inclusivity and cultural competence in interactions with clients and partners.
o Demonstrate a willingness to constantly learn new skills and improve work performance.
o Understand and interpret program materials and concepts, synthesize project information, and deliver presentations at stakeholder and partner meetings.
o Formulate work plans, develop and follow through on timelines, and consistently meet deadlines.
o Demonstrate effective writing, spreadsheet, and data management skills.
Candidates with fluency in another language in addition to English are encouraged to apply. Bilingual candidates who pass a language assessment may qualify for additional bilingual pay and duties.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Toufue Vue