Deputy Chief of Business Innovation and Emerging Industries
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 Business Innovation & Emerging Industries leads Detroit’s strategy to cultivate a future-ready economy grounded in mobility, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defense, AI, robotics, biotechnology, and other emerging sectors. As part of Mayor-Elect Sheffield’s economic opportunity agenda, the office ensures that Detroit becomes a nationally competitive hub for innovation while expanding pathways for Detroiters and small businesses to participate in the industries of tomorrow. Situated within the Mayor’s executive leadership structure, the office works closely with the Chief of Housing, Planning, Workforce & Economic Development and the Chief of Neighborhood Economic Development & Small Business to connect innovation with inclusive growth, workforce opportunity, and neighborhood-based economic mobility.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Reporting directly to the Chief of Housing, Planning, Workforce & Economic Development, the Deputy Chief of Business Innovation & Emerging Industries drives the administration’s work to position Detroit as a leading center for technology, emerging industries, and next-generation business development. The Deputy Chief develops partnerships at the local, state, federal, corporate, philanthropic, and research levels; designs policies to attract national and international investment; and builds programs that help Detroit residents benefit from industry transformation. The role strengthens Detroit’s presence in fields such as advanced mobility, EV and battery manufacturing, defense and aerospace, AI and machine learning, robotics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, chip manufacturing, and future-focused technologies. The Deputy Chief ensures that innovation aligns with Detroit’s values—equity, community benefit, and opportunity for longtime residents—and collaborates across economic development, workforce, planning, and education systems to build a modern economic ecosystem that is both competitive and inclusive.
This role will drive the administration’s priorities, including:
Develop Detroit’s innovation and emerging-industry strategy under the Mayor’s economic-opportunity agenda
Strengthen partnerships with universities, research institutions, federal agencies, venture networks, and industry leaders
Attract high-growth industries and national innovation partners to Detroit through policy, incentives, and ecosystem design
Expand the city’s innovation portfolio into sectors including mobility, EV and battery technology, AI, robotics, defense, chip manufacturing, biotech, and pharmaceuticals
Ensure Detroiters benefit directly from emerging industries through apprenticeships, training pipelines, and local hiring strategies
Align innovation strategy with small-business growth, neighborhood opportunity, and equitable development
Integrate innovation goals into cross-departmental initiatives with economic development, workforce, planning, housing, and neighborhood leadership
Promote Detroit as a nationally competitive destination for startups, research, advanced manufacturing, and tech investment
Leverage federal, state, and philanthropic resources to fund emerging-industry initiatives and innovation infrastructure
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:
Develop and implement Detroit’s emerging-industry strategy in alignment with the Mayor’s economic development agenda
Lead partnerships with corporations, universities, labs, venture funds, and federal agencies to expand Detroit’s innovation ecosystem
Identify, attract, and support high-growth industries seeking to expand or locate in Detroit
Design policy frameworks and incentive tools that make Detroit competitive for advanced industries while ensuring community benefit
Coordinate with Detroit at Work, employers, unions, and training providers to build workforce pathways into high-growth sectors
Support development of innovation districts, testbeds, and industry clusters across the city
Advance Detroit’s mobility, EV, and advanced manufacturing portfolios
Expand emerging-industry initiatives into fields such as defense, AI, robotics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and chip technology
Collaborate with the Chief of Neighborhood Economic Development to ensure innovation strengthens neighborhood economies and supports local entrepreneurs
Integrate strategies with housing, planning, and land-use leadership to support innovation-aligned development
Represent the Mayor in regional, state, federal, and industry forums focused on innovation, competitiveness, and economic transformation
Monitor industry trends, conduct research and analysis, and make policy recommendations that keep Detroit ahead of national shifts
Secure and manage federal, state, philanthropic, and private investment for innovation programs and infrastructure
Prepare briefings, memos, presentations, and strategic updates for the Mayor and senior leadership
Ensure transparency, equity, and community benefit in all industry-partnership and development initiatives
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, business, engineering, technology, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
Seven or more years of experience in economic development, innovation strategy, technology policy, or advanced-industry ecosystem building
Deep understanding of emerging-industry trends including mobility, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, AI, robotics, biotech, pharmaceuticals, defense, and semiconductor industries
Experience working with research institutions, venture ecosystems, federal agencies, and industry partners
Proven track record attracting or growing innovation-driven businesses or industry clusters
Experience designing incentives, policy tools, or economic-development frameworks that support industry growth
Strong familiarity with workforce development, employer partnerships, and training pipeline development
Ability to align cross-agency efforts across economic development, workforce, planning, and neighborhood systems
Strong analytical capacity, strategic thinking, and policy-development skills
Exceptional relationship-building skills with corporate partners, community leaders, public-sector partners, and philanthropic organizations
Commitment to equity, economic inclusion, community benefit, and resident-centered opportunity
Strong knowledge of Detroit’s economic landscape, neighborhoods, and workforce ecosystem preferred
Ability to work in fast-paced, politically sensitive environments with sound judgment and discretion
Rate of Pay: $135,000 – $179,000 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.