Director of Economic Development

This is a continuous posting with a best consideration date of May 8, 2025.

Charles County Government is seeking an experienced Director of Economic Development to provide economic development strategies, technical elements, work plans and services on behalf of Charles County as the Economic Development official to retain and expand the County’s primary employment and investment base. The Director will oversee and manage the County Economic Development Department’s activities, programs, partnerships, and client relationships, and serve as the primary advisor to the County Administrator and Charles County Board of Commissioners for economic development. 

• Oversees and coordinates assigned program areas.
• Ensures collaboration occurs with sister economic development organizations and entities on their related programs and collaborative efforts.
• Meets and coordinates with regional leadership, organizations and entities on their related programs and efforts.
• Meets with Charles County department heads on coordinated Economic Development programs and collaborates internally and effectively across department lines on regulatory, land use, utility and development matters affecting specific businesses, projects, and proposals.
• Comments internally on economic development components and elements of major land use plans and potential impacts thereof.
• Advises Commissioners on recommended economic development programs, projects, and their impacts.
• Assumes a lead or supporting role in advancing long term revitalization, transit, and other major economic development related commissioner priorities.
• Meets with corporate and business clients on location, relocation, expansion, or recapture. 
• Represent Charles County and participate in local and regional economic development initiatives and events.  
• Prepares and oversees the Economic Development Department budget and assist with Bond presentation before creditors. Analyzes economic development-related grant requests from outside organizations and makes recommendations thereon.
• Negotiates, drafts, coordinates as appropriate, and recommends letters of intent, development and P3 agreements having major economic development implications.
• Coordinates with State Department of Business and Economic Development Leadership on State economic development-related legislation, initiatives, potential prospects, and incentives.
• Prepares work plan and Implements Commissioner Economic Development Goals and Objectives.
• Identifies and recommends business incentives for adoption and applied on a case-by-case basis.
• Develops, recommends, and oversees outsourcing opportunities consistent with budgetary approvals.
• Develops and recommends appropriate metrics by which to measure the success of the economic development function.
• Utilizes and sets agendas for any economic development advisory boards appointed by County commissioners.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned. 

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing, Urban Planning, Economic Development, Real Estate, Law, or a related field. Ten (10) years of experience with business, planning, real estate, government economic development or considerable experience in commercial or industrial real estate site acquisition and development or in business and industrial financing, zoning, commercial real estate, and business marketing; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.  

Licenses or Certifications:

Must possess a valid driver's license.

Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and related training toward CEcD certification are preferred.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

Subject to work beyond the normal scheduled hours of work to include frequent evening meetings. 

Some travel outside of the area for meetings or conferences may be required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of basic economic development principals, programs, tools, and best practices.
• Knowledge of economy and economic potential of Charles County and of the County's development goals and standards. 
• Knowledge of funding sources and their interests and limitations, and of real property resources and values. 
• Knowledge of locational and other requirements of business firms operating in the County as well as of possible expansion needs.  
• Knowledge of media and other avenues of approach to business firms that may be potential candidates for introduction into or expansion within the County. 
• Knowledge of conversant with land use planning, zoning, development and regulatory principles and process.
• Ability to evaluate locational and other needs of business firms. 
• Ability to expedite governmental processes and funding source consideration in support of new or expanded business ventures. 
• Ability to represent the County's program effectively, orally and in writing. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relations with entrepreneurs, financing sources, and County  and other public agencies.     
• Ability to effectively brand and market Charles County to a regional, national, and international audience. 
• Ability to regularly attend evening meetings, locally and regionally.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary with frequent periods of physical activity and is performed in office surroundings.   Typical positions require workers to walk to stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards; and requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office environment.

Department:                       Economic Development

Pay Grade:                          123

FLSA Status:                       Exempt

Telework Eligible:              Yes

Reports to:                          County Administrator

Supervises:                         Deputy Director, Chief of Business Development, Chief of Development, Economic Development Specialist

Salary : $126,208 - $204,457