The Center for Community Wealth Building (CCWB) works to promote inclusive economic opportunities to normalize a new economic development model that includes and elevates the voices of impacted and vulnerable communities at the core of growth, and leverages anchor institutions’ economic engines to create an economy that works for everyone. Our vision is a people-owned, inclusive, and sustainable metro Denver economy that catalyzes prosperous and resilient communities free from racism and injustice.
CCWB’s work is driven by our commitment to economic justice, inclusivity, inspiration, and transformation. We work to inspire a fundamental shift within individuals, communities, institutions, and systems to support a thriving local economy and a healthy and sustainable way of life.

Position Summary

The Small Business Outreach Manager contributes to the organization’s efforts to strengthen community-based small businesses in metro Denver. CCWB does this through building meaningful relationships with BIPOC business owners to understand their strengths and challenges; connecting them to
resources and new markets (including anchors, congregations, and other emerging supply chains); providing learning opportunities, including individual coaching, presentations from specialists, and
peer-to-peer thought partnership sessions; and elevating the voices and perspectives of BIPOC small business owners. This position will also lend support to our anchor institution organizing and organizational development. The ideal candidate must have a passion for creating structural change, advancing racial justice, and creating a new economic paradigm that reverses the economic inequities.

Job Responsibilities

Community-Based Business Organizing (approx. 65% of time)

A. Business Outreach

● Conduct strategic and intensive outreach efforts (through door-to-door and phone/text outreach) to business owners in target industry areas and targeted neighborhoods at risk of gentrification and displacement
● Build one-on-one relationships with community-based small business owners
● Compile information on existing community-based BIPOC and women-owned businesses
● Work with database developer to create a user-friendly online database to facilitate connecting small businesses to anchor institutions and other potential customers

B. Capacity Building
● Conduct business needs assessments to identify self-interest, areas for development, funding needs, potential for growth, and readiness to connect with business needs of anchor institutions
● Develop relationships with partner organizations and inventory the services those organizations
provide

● Work with partner organizations to incorporate high need services, develop seamless referral system, and develop a strong small business support ecosystem
● Design and implement learning experiences that benefit both traditional and employee-owned businesses
● Continue to facilitate convenings of BIPOC-owned, small catering companies to discuss common challenges and needs, and inspire collective action to address pressing issues. Organize additional
cohorts of business owners as relationships are developed within other industry specific segments.

C. Communications
● Create timely newsletter of compiled information and resources for small business owners, and share with other technical assistance partners
● Engage city and state offices for certification and business procurement opportunities
● Communicate with small business owners by email, social media, in person, phone call and text, as needed
● Develop and manage small business website content to ensure accuracy and relevance

Anchor Institution Organizing Support (approx. 20% of time)

● Participate in meetings with anchor institutions to build awareness of current and future market opportunities through procurement and the requirements to compete for contracts
● Work with the Anchor Strategy Director and CCWB Executive Director to:
○ Develop a process that allows CCWB to respond to anchor needs for goods and services, deepen relationships with small businesses, and measurably shift procurement.
○ Develop a method to measure impact of anchor procurement on small businesses
○ Build out Co-Purchase Colorado (CPC), a group purchasing prototype that connects congregations’ racial and economic justice values to their purchasing practices.
■ Conduct and improve business vetting process
■ Participate in weekly team meetings
■ Participate in monthly meetings with congregation partners to understand their business needs
■ Remain connected to CPC businesses to troubleshoot relationships with congregations and measure dollar impact of new business generated by CPC

Organizational Support (approx. 10% of time)

Work with staff team on:
● Fundraising projects including drafting concept papers and supporting grant writing efforts
● Conducting program evaluations and writing evaluation reports
● Managing volunteers and student interns
● Movement building projects including general presentations on Community Wealth Building principles, meetings with potential partners, and public policy advocacy
● Work collaboratively with the team to ensure that information / workshop delivery is aligned

Other Duties as Assigned (approx. 5% of time)

Required Qualifications

● Experience working with people from low-income and diverse backgrounds, one-on-one and in a group
● Experience with grassroots community organizing or labor organizing for social change
● Deep and demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice
● Bachelor degree or higher in Business Administration or related field, OR 4 years of experience conducting business outreach, writing business plans including conducting market studies, viability
assessments, budgeting, financial management, profit projections, or marketing plans
● Strong understanding of systems of oppression
● Strong grasp of Community Wealth Building methodologies
● Experience managing volunteers and student interns
● Self-starter with the ability to thrive in a team environment
● Capacity to multitask in a fast-paced setting
● Strong communication, presentation, public speaking, and writing skills
● Relationships with Denver area stakeholders (specifically government, nonprofits, the business community, public policy, economic development, community organizing, and labor unions)
● Experience planning and effectively facilitating meetings and workshops
● Willingness to work long and irregular hours, including nights/ weekends
● Willingness to work in a variety of environments: office, on site business locations, home
● Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Gmail, and Google Suite
● Car available for work purposes, valid driver’s license, and auto insurance (mileage reimbursed)

Desired Qualifications

● Bilingual Spanish/English and cultural competency (Intermediate-High level of fluency or equivalent – verbal and written)
● Experience with HubSpot
● Empathy and strong interpersonal skills
● Understanding of movement building principles and practices
● Strong organizational skills, with experience managing complex projects involving multiple actors
● Experience working with social media in a professional context
● Experience designing programs (using a program logic model)
● Familiarity with lean design principles

Work Style and Organizational Culture

● Strong team player with ability to work autonomously
● Comfort with non-traditional approaches to economic development and willingness to be creative in solving problems in an entrepreneurial environment
● Drive to achieve and exceed goals and objectives and think creatively to develop strategies and course correct, as needed
● Respect for community-based models of change and commitment to empowering community partners
● Comfortable working on a small team with big ideas and no support staff
● Attention to detail and commitment to high quality service
● Comfort in a democratically run, community responsive, start-up organization

Compensation

Salary range for this position is $45,000 – $60,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. A competitive benefits package includes health and dental insurance, retirement benefits
(after one year), paid holidays, and vacation and sick time.
How to Apply

To apply, send a resume, cover letter (explaining why you are a good fit for the position), a relevant writing sample of no more than two (2) pages (e.g. portion of a business plan, article, a newsletter,
etc.), and the names and contact information of three professional references, at least one of whom is a former supervisor, via email to connect@communitywealthbuilding.org with the subject “Small
Business Outreach Manager”. Review of applications will begin on September 17, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled. Interviews will be extended to qualified applicants on a rolling basis.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ~ COMMITTED TO A DIVERSE WORKPLACE

The Center for Community Wealth Building is an aggressive advocate of affirmative action and welcomes applications from everyone, particularly from people of color; women; LGBTQ people; immigrants or refugees; people with disabilities; and people from low- or moderate-income backgrounds.