City of Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC)

Position Title: Director - Business Development

Reports to: Managing Director

Applications Accepted until filled.

**IN-PERSON POSITION. NO REMOTE APPLICANTS PLEASE**

About Baltimore Development Corporation

The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) is the economic development agency for the City of Baltimore. Our mission is to grow the city’s economy in an inclusive manner by retaining, expanding, and attracting businesses and promoting investment, thereby increasing career opportunities for residents.

BDC is committed to a more equitable economy by supporting minority and women-owned businesses and promoting investment in neighborhoods that have been negatively impacted by institution racism and/or generational poverty. We develop strategies and facilitate collaboration among our partners to intentionally create an inclusive and equitable economy.

Position Overview

The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) is seeking an experienced Business Development professional to lead the Business Development team. This individual, who will be hired at the Director level, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the team and its staff of Economic Development Specialists that focuses on Business Retention, Expansion and Attraction in Baltimore City.

Job Summary:

The Business Development team focuses on promoting Baltimore as a preferred location for businesses, catering to both existing and potential ventures. The team operates citywide, engaging with prospects considering Baltimore as a new location while nurturing designated expansion and retention opportunities for local businesses. Collaborating across departments, Business Development takes the lead or provides support as needed, coordinating and monitoring all business retention, expansion, and attraction efforts. They are also responsible for tracking and reporting these activities to align with BDC's objectives. Additionally, overseeing programs such as the Enterprise Zone and Foreign Trade Zone, the team actively drives Baltimore's economic growth.

The Director of Business Development oversees a team of Economic Development Specialists. They are a key member of the team and the point of contact for many business owners and operators in Baltimore City. The Director is central to identifying growth opportunities and growing Baltimore’s economy, particularly within the target industry sectors established in the Baltimore Together economic development strategy.

The Director is a mentor, initiator, and manager. The position is accountable for and performs complex professional administrative and fiscal support to develop and facilitate economic development initiatives undertaken by the Baltimore Development Corporation on behalf of the City of Baltimore. They create relationships to facilitate communication between business owners, developers, City Officials, funders, local organizations and the community to complete projects and grow businesses.

Employee models the highest standards of courteous, dependable, professional conduct. Employee is consistently respectful of colleagues and punctual at all times. Work is performed under general supervision of the Managing Director (MD) subsequent to establishing goals and milestones. Work is performed as required to complete project and may require extended hours beyond a conventional work week.

Responsibilities

Business Outreach, Retention, Expansion & Attraction

• Developing and executing a targeted outreach strategy for the business development team that includes, but is not limited to:

o Major employers

o Out-of-market attraction candidates

o High job growth sectors and businesses

• Primary Point of Contact with the Maryland Department of Commerce on business retention, expansion & attraction efforts

• Coordinate with staff to prepare, and perform final review of, business site selection requests

• Prepare individualized incentive and resource packages for businesses seeking to locate or expand in Baltimore

• Cultivate relationships with brokers, site selectors, business/trade groups and other relevant parties

o Understand the current market trends, needs, and opportunities

o Assist staff with preparing and analyzing site selection options for businesses; guiding clients to brokers and other resources for detailed assistance – BDC does not act as a broker or negotiate on behalf of a business or landlord.

• Attend, facilitate, and/or present at public and community meetings as necessary

Strategy Development & Implementation

• Work with team members and the Strategy Research & Analytics team to develop target sector profiles; Key Performance Indicators; Opportunity analysis and other strategic reports and materials to guide business expansion efforts

• Oversee the implementation of the target-sector recommendations of the Baltimore Together economic development strategy

• Identify resource gaps and other strategic deficits that can be addressed through policy change

• Identifies motivating factors to retain businesses and attract new prospects; researches economic development trends.

Team Management & Administration

• Assembling, coordinating, motivating and directing staff; collaborates with other city and state agencies and internal BDC teams

• Teaches and trains team using BDC policies and best practices in Business Development

• Assigns and monitors projects/tasks; regularly monitors team performance

• Ensures timely and accurate data reporting of all team activities

• Responsible for establishing objectives and key results for business retention, expansion and attraction initiatives.

• All other duties as assigned; duties are subject to change as directed by BDC

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with private companies and public agencies to identify new business prospects and strategic partnership opportunities, and existing business clients in need of assistance.

• Exceptional verbal and in-person communication skills and experience working with a diverse constituency of clients; Ability to explain complex concepts or programs in plain language to ensure understanding.

• Exceptional writing and presentation skills and experience communicating effectively in a range or written forms to a wide range of audiences

• Experience in Business Development or Economic Development with a track record of positive results and increasing responsibility.

• Has the ability to: establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse internal and external groups including elected officials, business, community, and civic organizations.

• Works well both in a team environment and independently, and maintains a positive attitude and demeanor.

• Demonstrates strong, ethical character and passion for the organization’s mission

• Models BDC Values for their team and colleagues and contributes to the BDC work culture.

• Maintains knowledge of and tracks initiatives at the local, state, and Federal levels that may impact BDC’s and the City’s economic, business, and real estate development efforts and advises Managing Director of related challenges and opportunities.

Education and Experience Requirements

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in business development and/or economic development

• At least two years of supervisory experience.

• OR an equivalent combination of education and experience to the above

• Experience working in a comparable government or quasi-government role is preferred

• Advanced Degree in business administration, nonprofit management, public administration, or a similar field is preferred

• Experience working with communities and/or businesses in a customer service or resource provider capacity is preferred

Additional Requirements

Applicant must have transportation or access to transportation to meet with clients, attend community meetings, visit project sites and attend off-site meetings and events.

Baltimore City residency is encouraged for this position

Salary and Benefits

This is a salaried, benefited, at-will position and work is performed as required to complete project priorities and may require extended hours beyond a conventional work week, including evening meetings. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. BDC also offers a full package of benefits including paid sick, personal, and vacation leave; subsidized medical/dental with Health Savings Account; 403(b) retirement with employer matching; parking/transit subsidy; mobile phone reimbursement; and other benefits.

The starting salary range for the Director position is $95,000-105,000

Application and Selection Process

Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume via email to Kim Clark at BDCcareers@baltimoredevelopment.com with “Director Business Development” in the subject line.

Candidates can also learn about us by visiting our website at http://baltimoredevelopment.com

No Phone Calls Please. Not all applicants will be contacted.

BDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a more equitable economy through employment, supporting minority and women-owned businesses and promoting investment in neighborhoods that have been negatively impacted by institutional racism and/or generational poverty. We develop strategies and facilitate collaboration among our partners to intentionally create an inclusive and equitable economy.

• BDC does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.