Startup Advocate



Startup Advocate

Salary

$38.06 - $57.09 Hourly

Location

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time

Job Number

2015-01136

Department

Office of Economic Development

Opening Date

08/28/2015

Closing Date

9/8/2015 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description

The Office of Economic Development (OED) is a Mayor's Executive Office, responsible for assisting the Mayor and City Council develop, analyze and implement policies and programs that support the City's economic development agenda.  This agenda encompasses OED programs that support local talent development, provide business technical assistance and financing opportunities, and develop policies supportive of key industry sectors.  These programs include, but are not limited to, the work of the Office of Film + Music, Only in Seattle neighborhood business district program, GrowSeattle business retention and expansion program, and Startup Seattle.

The Startup Advocate's charter is to support technology entrepreneurs through serving as a hub of resources, both online (via the StartupSeattle.com site and associated channels), and in –person (meeting face-to-face with startups, triaging their obstacles to growth, and connecting them to resources).  In conjunction with the communications team, the Startup Seattle program serves as a megaphone for the City's innovative growth, collecting data on the health of the startup ecosystem and broadcasting this story through its own channels as well as media outreach.  Broadly serving the information technology sector, the Advocate will work with sub-sectors including mobile, data, analytics, gaming/interactive technologies, consumer web, enterprise software, and areas where technology intersects additional verticals (healthcare IT, internet of things, and beyond).

Job Responsibilities

What You Need:
You will be successful if you feel passionate about:

  • Putting Seattle on the global map of innovation and becoming known as the best place in the world to start a technology company
  • Shortening entrepreneurs' paths to success (and discovery)
  • Listening to innovators in order to inform policy decisions, that in turn promote entrepreneurial success
 
Your effectiveness in this role will depend on your ability to:
  • Take a consultative and customer service-oriented approach to entrepreneurial problem-solving
  • Leverage your relationship network with industry stakeholders (as well as internal City resources)
  • Communicate effectively orally and in writing in a political environment
  • Work in a fast-paced environment on a cross-functional team
 
You will feel prepared to take on this role if you have experience in:
  • Running and/or supporting technology startups
  • The information technology industry: software, mobile, gaming, cloud, enterprise
  • Fostering deep relationships with the business community including trade groups, chambers of commerce and economic development organizations

Qualifications

In addition to the qualities mentioned above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications (or a combination of education, training or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class):

  • A bachelor's degree (arts or sciences)
  • At least five years of progressively responsible experience in a professional-level technology, investment, entrepreneurial or economic development organization
  • Deep understanding of the challenges faced by businesses and entrepreneurs
  • Excellent written and oral communications skills
  • Ability to manage competing priorities
  • Ability to work with diverse cultural, business and technical groups

Additional Information

Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience in public/private partnerships
  • Experience as a founder/CEO of a tech startup
  • Coaching/screening/advising startups, particularly in the areas of marketing, financing, and leadership
  • Understanding of key economic success factors and ability to analyze and communicate trends
All potential OED team members are evaluated for the following values:
  • BUILDING CUSTOMER LOYALTY - Effectively meeting customer needs; building productive customer relationships; taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • BUILDING STRATEGIC WORK RELATIONSHIPS - Developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals.
  • COMMUNICATION - Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages and helps them understand and retain the message.
  • INNOVATION - Generating innovative solutions in work situations; trying different and novel ways to deal with work problems and opportunities.
  • PLANNING and ORGANIZING - Establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently.
 
The Seattle Office of Economic Development values diverse perspectives and life experiences; people of color, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. For more information contact Yoshiko Matsui at Yoshiko.matsui@seattle.gov.
 
Submission of a cover letter and resume addressing how you meet the qualifications is required.
 

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: http://www.seattle.gov/jobs/benefits.asp

01
Please select the option that best describes your highest level of education.
  • High School Diploma/GED
  • Some College
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • J.D.
  • Ph.D.
02
If you answered that you have earned a bachelor's degree, please select the field associated with your major.
  • Liberal Arts
  • Public Policy/Public Administration
  • Business Administration
  • Sciences
  • Technology/Engineering/Math
03
Which best describes your years of experience of progressively responsible experience in professional-level technology, investment, entrepreneurial or economic development organization.
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years
  • 5 years
  • 6 years
  • 7 years
  • 8 years
  • 9 or more years of experience
04
Which best describes your years of experience with coaching/advising/mentoring technology entrepreneurs?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years
  • 5 years
  • 6 years
  • 7 years
05
Which best describes your years of experience working in the startup or technology sectors?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years
  • 5 years
  • 6 years
  • 7 years
06
Which best describes your years of experience with government agencies, non-profit organizations, or public/private partnerships?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years
  • 5 years
  • 6 years
  • 7 or more years of experience
07
Indicate what software and/or social media tools with which you have had experience.
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • MS Excel
  • MS Word
  • MS Access
  • Contact management databases
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • MS Outlook
  • Other Social Media

Required Question

Agency
City of Seattle
Address
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500
Seattle, Washington, 98104