Chief of Neighborhood Economic Development and Small Business
ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION
Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.
As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.
ABOUT THE OFFICE
The Office of Neighborhood Economic Development & Small Business sits within the Mayor’s Office and leads Detroit’s strategy to strengthen neighborhood corridors, accelerate community-rooted economic growth, and make Detroit the best place in the country to start and grow a small business. The office coordinates major levers of economic mobility through a localized Neighborhood Economic Development division, a Business Innovation and Emerging Industries Division, and a Small Business Affairs and Economic Opportunity Division. This work directly centers resident voice within neighborhood development, ensures that business innovation expands into new industries, and supports Detroit-based entrepreneurs to start, grow and expand their businesses easily and reliably. The Chief of Neighborhood Development and Small Business ensures that reinvestment and economic expansion reaches every neighborhood—not only the city’s major commercial areas. Through direct engagement with small businesses, community organizations, corridor stakeholders, investors, and philanthropic partners, the office advances Mayor-Elect Sheffield’s vision of equitable economic opportunity, community-driven revitalization, and inclusive prosperity.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Chief of Neighborhood Economic Development & Small Business serves as the Mayor’s senior executive strategist for neighborhood-based economic growth, corridor revitalization, small-business development and business modernization. Reporting directly to the Mayor, the Chief leads Detroit’s citywide agenda to strengthen neighborhood commercial corridors, improve the business climate, attract and retain small and medium-sized enterprises, and, importantly, streamline administrative processes to reduce barriers to doing business in Detroit. The role requires a visionary leader with deep expertise in economic development, land use, business attraction and retention, small-business ecosystems, corridor development strategy, and developing Detroit’s historic neighborhoods according to the needs and wants of Detroit residents. This work occurs cross-administratively, in concordance with the Master Plan, and in partnership with the Chief of Housing, Planning, Workforce and Economic Development and others. The Chief also works in close partnership with DEGC, DDA, CRIO, labor, philanthropic partners, business associations, lenders, small-business technical assistance providers, and cross-agency city staff to ensure Detroit’s small businesses—and the neighborhoods they anchor—thrive. This role is central to implementing the Mayor’s commitment to community wealth-building, equitable neighborhood development, and making Detroit the most supportive and accessible environment in the nation for entrepreneurs.
This role will drive key priorities outlined in Mayor-Elect Sheffield’s policy agenda, including:
Advancing a neighborhood-first development strategy that strengthens commercial corridors in every district
Build Detroit’s small-business ecosystem with a focus on Detroit-based entrepreneurs, legacy businesses, and first-time founders
Leading citywide business innovation by developing new tools, partnerships, and service models that make Detroit a national leader in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Modernize administrative practices to allow businesses to quickly and easily navigate permitting, inspections, and licensing processes, making Detroit the easiest city in America to start and grow a business
Launch and expand the Office of Small Business Affairs to deliver hands-on, neighborhood-based assistance to entrepreneurs
Drive small-business retention and expansion through coordinated support, capital access, technical assistance, and strategic incentives
Partner with DEGC, DDA, CRIO, and philanthropic institutions to align investments with neighborhood needs and local business growth
Support Detroit’s “Destination Detroit” population-growth strategy by strengthening neighborhood amenities, retail opportunities, and mixed-use corridors
Ensure that underserved businesses and business owners have equitable access to resources, capital, and opportunities
Lead a citywide strategy to develop underutilized commercial properties, vacant storefronts, and aging corridor infrastructure
Develop a data-driven system to track business openings, closures, retention rates, corridor health, and equitable investment
Integrate workforce supports—childcare, transportation, apprenticeships—into neighborhood business strategies to connect residents with good jobs
This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.
Core responsibilities include:
Oversee Detroit’s neighborhood economic development strategy, ensuring commercial corridors across all seven districts receive focused planning, investment, and coordinated support
Direct small-business development efforts, including attraction, retention, expansion, permitting navigation, and business-support programs
Lead implementation and growth of the Office of Small Business Affairs and ensure services are accessible in neighborhoods through direct outreach and citywide hubs
Coordinate with DEGC, DDA, CRIO, Buildings, Safety Engineering & Environmental Department (BSEED), and other agencies to streamline business processes and accelerate approvals
Guide major corridor revitalization projects, land transactions, incentive strategies, and catalytic development activities in neighborhood districts
Collaborate with lending institutions, CDFIs, philanthropic funders, and technical assistance providers to increase capital access for Detroit-based entrepreneurs
Shape transparent and equitable development incentives that prioritize neighborhood benefit, local hiring, small-business inclusion, and long-term affordability
Serve as a senior advisor to employers, investors, developers, and business associations seeking to grow within Detroit’s neighborhoods
Coordinate citywide programs to reduce barriers for small businesses, including childcare supports, transportation solutions, digital access, and workforce-housing connections
Represent the Mayor in negotiations, business-retention visits, corridor strategy meetings, and regional economic-development partnerships
Develop performance metrics and a public dashboard to track corridor vitality, business growth, and equitable investment
Ensure community voice informs business-development strategy by partnering with Neighborhood District Managers, block clubs, corridor groups, and resident leaders.
Qualifications:
Advanced degree in public policy, economics, business administration, urban planning, real estate development, or related field preferred
Ten or more years of experience in economic development, small-business support, commercial corridor revitalization, urban real estate, or related fields
Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-agency initiatives in fast-paced, politically sensitive environments
Experience working with DEGC, DDA, CRIO, or similar economic-development entities strongly preferred
Proven success in small-business attraction, retention, expansion, or permitting reform
Strong experience in commercial real estate, corridor planning, land use, or redevelopment of mixed-use districts
Skilled in economic-development finance, including incentives, grants, TIF, bonds, CDBG-funded business programs, and public-private partnerships
Deep familiarity with Detroit’s business landscape, corridors, micro-enterprise challenges, and neighborhood economic conditions strongly preferred
Exceptional relationship-building skills with residents, business owners, lenders, developers, philanthropic partners, and community groups
Commitment to equity, transparency, community voice, and inclusive economic development aligned with the values of the Sheffield Administration.
Rate of Pay: $179,000 - $200,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Benefits: Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.
Equal Opportunity in Employment: The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply.