Jobs

Small Business Liaison

The USMS Small Business Liaison will play an integral and multi-faceted role in USMS’ work and be charged with working closely with the USMS Executive Director, staff, and USMS committees to confront these challenges:

  • Preserving and nurturing Union Square’s unique small business composition by providing support for permitting and licenses processes, business plan development, lease negotiations, and other technical assistance designed to strengthen individual businesses

  • Supporting businesses as they adapt to five years of disruptive City infrastructure improvements and 20 years of major development construction ahead, including developing plans to mitigate temporary or permanent displacement

  • Developing creative strategies to incorporate small locally-owned business and entrepreneurial activity in new development

  • Collaborating with development stakeholders (e.g., US2) to identify ways new development can strengthen the district and support the goals of USMS

  • Helping businesses explore the benefits of achieving High Road Employer status with the American Sustainable Business Council

  • Responding to emerging realities in businesses whether they be specific to recovering from COVID-19 impacts or more broad in terms the general evolution of retail

  • Increasing economic opportunity for minority-owned businesses that for far too long have not had equitable access to entrepreneurial resources

This position provides an exciting opportunity to build experience and networks while expanding knowledge and gaining skills related to place-based economic empowerment.

The position is built on:

  • USMS’ 16 years of serving the Union Square business district,

  • The findings of a recent environmental scan conducted in conjunction with our Strategic Planning work (now nearing completion)

  • Data collected through the USMS COVID-19 Impact Survey in March 2020, and

  • A clear commitment to increasing economic opportunity for minority-owned and independent businesses.

Small Business Liaison responsibilities and tasks may include, but are not limited to:

  • Working in tandem with the Executive Director, establishing and nurturing meaningful, supportive, and authentic relationships with local business leaders

  • Providing technical assistance to support Union Square businesses:

    • Navigate Somerville’s permitting and licensing processes

    • Develop business plans

    • Negotiate leases

    • Access capital

    • Implement low cost marketing strategies

  • Facilitating COVID recovery efforts across retail, service, and restaurant sectors throughout Union Square

  • Contributing to USMS small business and economic empowerment advocacy action

  • Working with the Executive Director to develop strategies with developers to preserve and support USMS goals

  • Orchestrating the monthly Union Square Business Meeting by proposing agenda topics, helping to recruit speakers, and leading logistical elements with the goal of deepening engagement

  • Recruiting business leaders to participate in and/or host Business Meetings and participate in events like the Holiday Stroll and Fluff Festival

  • Supporting business leader recruitment to join USMS committees in order to position the business to contribute to activities in the Square, network with other business leaders, and provide pathways to leadership opportunities, such as Board service

  • Leading and/or contributing to planning, organizing, and executing programs and events based upon USMS priorities that serve local businesses

  • Contributing to the development of fundraising proposals and reports

  • Data collection, documentation, and invoicing for funders