The University of Maryland’s National Center for Smart Growth (NCSG) is seeking a highly motivated Project Coordinator to support the Small Business Anti-Displacement Network (SBAN). SBAN is a national network of organizations that work to prevent the displacement of BIPOC- and immigrant-owned small businesses in gentrifying neighborhoods. As a membership organization, our network of small business leaders includes policymakers, nonprofit advocates, technical assistance providers, developers, financial institutions, scholars, and small business owners, who share knowledge and collaborate to advance innovative policies and policies that keep small businesses in place.
SBAN is the first national project focused on small business displacement in gentrifying neighborhoods. The project seeks to build the capacities of network members to engage in effective anti-displacement advocacy and assistance; to identify, assess, and disseminate promising small business anti-displacement practices and policies; and to encourage adoption of impactful small business anti-displacement strategies.
SBAN’s mission is to establish and sustain a network of organizations that work to prevent the displacement of small businesses owned by immigrants and people of color in gentrifying neighborhoods across the U.S. and abroad. It seeks to foster vibrant neighborhoods anchored by diverse business owners, workers, and residents who can remain in place and benefit from new public and private investments.
This Project Coordinator will support the Project Director, Dr. Willow Lung-Amam, and the core team of researchers and practitioners. The Project Coordinator will also coordinate and facilitate the activities of support staff, consultants, and network members. The Project
Coordinator will report to the Project Director and receive strategic direction from the project team, including the NCSG Director. Further information about the initiative can be found below. The intended term of the position is for three years based on agreed upon benchmarks of accomplishment, with an option for annual renewal dependent upon funding and other factors.
This is a full-time, salaried University of Maryland, exempt, Contingent II staff position. Policies and benefit applicable for Contingent II employees, can be found here. This position can largely be fulfilled remotely via telework. However, the Project Coordinator must be available to attend occasional in-person and on-campus events or meetings, as needed.
Project Management
• Monitoring and managing implementation of all project-related tasks.
• Maintaining key project infrastructure, including the project website, databases, project
management software, and communication channels.
Personnel Management
• Managing key project personnel, including website and media consultants, facilitators,
case study consultants, and students.
• Supporting project team and consultants in organizing and facilitating information
sharing among network members in online and in-person meetings.
• Outreach to and coordination with project advisory board, sponsors, consultants, and
network members.
Event Coordination
• Coordinating regular meetings among core project team and other project partners,
including agenda setting and minutes.
• Working with conference planners to assemble regular network convenings, including
assistance with travel arrangements and accommodations.
Project Funding and Communication
• Managing the project budget, including meeting regularly with the school’s business
team to ensure timeline processing of all project payments and contract execution.
• Supporting project communication and media promotion, including social media
channels and network member communication platforms.
• Assisting in grant applications for ongoing project funding.
Research and Evaluation Support
• Assisting core project team and other network members in publishing project reports
and articles, including content review and facilitation of graphic design.
• Assisting project team in evaluating the impact of the initiative, including facilitating
interviews and surveys.
Experience leading cross-sector, multi-year projects in large organizational settings, particularly those with a national and/or international scope.
• Superb project management skills and expertise, including experience working with and
coordinating large teams of up to 50 collaborators.
• Experience coordinating large in-person and virtual events.
• Proficiency with a wide variety of software and systems for project and database
management, and/or event management systems.
• Fundraising or grant writing experience.
• Experience supporting strategic communication and media campaigns, including
familiarity with traditional and social media platforms.
• Experience related to invoicing, financial management, and accounting.
• Educational degrees related to public administration or organizational management.
• Substantive knowledge related to small businesses, racial inequality, immigration, public
policy, urban planning, economic development and/or redevelopment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to racial and economic equity and justice.
• Non-English language speaking and writing abilities, especially Spanish.
People that identify with historically marginalized groups based on gender, race, ethnicity, and nationality are especially encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates should upload a letter of interest (3 page maximum), resume, and references names and contact information to https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/115407. The position is open immediately and will remain open until filled. For best consideration, please apply by December 22, 2023. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.