Senior Business Development Representative

Senior Business Development Representative (HIVE)

The City of Virginia Beach Economic Development is seeking a dynamic and motivated Senior Business Development Representative (HIVE) to join the Economic Development team! Reporting to the Deputy Director, this leadership role will manage the flagship hub for small business innovation and entrepreneurship. This role supervises full-time and contracted staff and manages a network of vendor partners delivering high-impact programming and technical assistance to small businesses.

This position will focus on empowering small businesses, entrepreneurs, startups, dreamers, and microenterprises in Virginia Beach and across Hampton Roads.

This position also offers the unique opportunity to design, deliver, and amplify high-impact programming and resources. This role plays a key part in driving the city's economic growth. Essential functions include :

• Lead all aspects of the HIVE's operations, including program design and deliver, vendor coordination, facility management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop and execute a strategic vision with City and Departmental leadership for the HIVE in alignment with our economic development goals.
• Design, coordinate, and evaluate programming including business accelerators, pitch events, workshops, and cohort-based training for entrepreneurs.
• Coordinate and maintain an ongoing calendar of transformational programming, including workshops, cohort-based trainings, pitch events, business accelerators and other innovative strategies that meet the needs of evolving needs of small businessesfrom dreamers to entrepreneurs.
• Actively pursue, build, and nurture relationships with organizations including but not limited to the Virginia Small Business & Supplier Diversity Department, City of Virginia Beach Finance Department, SBDCs, local universities, local entrepreneurial support, local chambers, incubators and other technical assistance providers.
• Supervise assigned staff, including an office assistant and contracted program staff; oversee vendor performance and quality assurance.
• Collaborate with Departmental leadership and external marketing partners to drive awareness of The HIVE through strategic print, digital, social media, and public relations. Support branding, content development and website needs.
• Coordinate-day-to-day operations of the HIVE facility, ensuring it supports high-quality events and programming.
• Serve as the primary representative for the City's entrepreneurship and small business development efforts, participating in citywide and regional innovation panels and presenting to City Council, commissions, and business forums.
• Track and report performance metrics including businesses served, capital accessed, and job creation outcomes; provide regular updates to the Deputy Director and City leadership.
• Collaborate with departmental teams to align The HIVE's efforts with business attraction, retention, and workforce development initiatives.
• Conduct research and monitor national trends to inform small business strategies and innovation policies. Perform other duties as assigned based on department needs.
• Manage Small Business Grant Programs

The City offers a generous benefits package, which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans, maternity / paternity and parental leave, holidays and Paid-Time-Off.