Director of Strategy & Research

Position                                              Director, Strategy and Research

Organization                                      Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC)

Location                                             Baltimore, MD

Reporting Relationship                 Chief Strategy Officer

Website                                              https://gbc.org

The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) is the leading voice for the private sector in the Baltimore region, providing insightful economic and civic leadership to drive collective impact. Composed of more than 400 organizations, including large, mid-size, and small companies, nonprofits, foundations, and educational and healthcare institutions, the GBC is dedicated to fostering the prosperity of the Baltimore Region.

In 2022, the GBC merged with the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, hiring new leadership after more than two decades. In May 2023, the GBC announced a multi-year agenda to position the organization to:

·         Work with private and public sector leaders to advance the Baltimore Region's economy.

·         Aggressively pursue game-changing grant and investment opportunities.

·         Collaborate to tackle the region’s transportation, vacant housing, public safety, and other challenges.

·         Foster a more equitable region.

GBC's multi-year agenda for 2024 - 2026 includes 12 initiatives:

Economic Opportunity

·         Develop a ten-year economic opportunity plan to build consensus for the region’s economic future.

·         Develop the Greater Baltimore brand to amplify our dynamic regional assets and civic progress.

·         Partner with economic, community, and development leaders to ensure strategic investments in the region are successful.

·         Pursue game-changing opportunities and federal funding to advance equitable growth.

·         Partner with the public sector to support local, domestic, and foreign direct investment and expansion in the region.

Transportation and Infrastructure

·         Advance the priorities of the Baltimore’s Transit Future Campaign.

·         Advance major infrastructure investments in the region to better connect our communities and accelerate long-term opportunity.

Collective Impact. GBC partners and members will collaborate to…

·         Tackle the vacancy issue in Baltimore City and support neighborhood redevelopment.

·         Reduce gun violence.

·         Support Baltimore police officer retention and recruitment.

·         Support local hiring and procurement.

·         Increase entrepreneurship and the ease of doing business in the region.

ORGANIZATION

The GBC’s staff structure includes five teams, with staff leads who report directly to the CEO:

Operations:

·         Provide fiscal, operational, and HR leadership for the organization.

·         Support CEO and Board to establish corporate governance and execution of mission.

Strategy:

·         Lead on shaping the GBC's strategic goals and activities, identifying policy priorities, and conducting research to advance the multi-year agenda and support the region’s vitality and economic growth.

·         Proactively engage with elected officials, GBC Partners, and regional stakeholders to inform and help advance this work.  

Business & Economic Investment:

·         Lead regional business retention, expansion, and recruitment efforts. 

·         Lead regional business and real estate investment activation and attraction efforts. 

·         Support the Baltimore Region's federal Tech Hub designation and the Regional Innovation Office.  

Communications:

·         Shape GBC’s message and communications strategy. Grow our audience of members and stakeholders and amplify civic progress in the Baltimore Region.

·         Execute the regional marketing and balance perspective on the Baltimore Region as a place to invest and expand.

·         Manage and solidify support for GBC’s events and engagement.

Partnerships:

·         Develop and establish GBC’s new membership and engagement model.

·         Develop and orient GBC’s committee and member collaborations toward high-value impact.

·         Establish and manage partnerships with local, state, and national peers to advance the Greater Baltimore region.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Greater Baltimore Committee seeks a dynamic Director to support the organization’s work to advance economic opportunity in the Baltimore Region. Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer as part of the Strategy team, the Director:

(a) collaborates with GBC staff, partners, and other regional stakeholders to develop and implement process and project plans for advancing GBC's multi-year agenda, toward the goals outlined in All In|2035, the organization's ten-year plan for the Baltimore Region,

(b) undertakes and communicates research and analysis related to key areas of the All In plan (Industry and Innovation, Place and Community, Talent and People),

(c) identifies local, state, and federal policy issues and opportunities related to GBC's multi-year agenda, and,

(d) engages with partners, policymakers, and other regional stakeholders.   

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Assist in the design and implementation of strategies outlined in All In|2035:

o   Collaborate with GBC team, Partners, local economic development and community leaders, and other regional stakeholders to design multi-year strategies aimed at meeting All In|2035 goals; 

o   Collaborate with GBC team to engage GBC Partners, local economic development and community leaders, and other regional stakeholders around strategy implementation via steering committees, working groups, and general relationship building;

o   Collaborate with GBC team to align GBC research, policy, and program development to support strategy implementation.

·         Conduct research and policy analysis:

o   Stay up-to-date on the latest economic, industry, social, real estate, and land use trends, policies, and best practices globally, nationally, and within the Baltimore Region;

o   Produce dashboards, briefs, newsletters, and other materials to inform GBC partners, site selectors, businesses, and potential investors regarding the Baltimore Region’s economic, industry, real estate, workforce, demographic, and other key trends and opportunities;

o   Help create and maintain metrics to monitor progress on All In|2035 strategy implementation;

o   Conduct objective research, analysis, and evaluation of local, regional, and state economic development policies.

·         Engage with GBC partners, local economic development and community leaders, and policy makers:

o   Build and maintain working relationships with GBC partners, local economic development and community leaders, and policy makers on priority issues;

o   Represent the GBC by serving on various committees, task forces, commissions, and working groups;

o   Track and represent GBC in support of federal, state, and local policies that align with All In|2035 goals and GBC multi-year agenda initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

·         Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Geography, Urban Planning, Public Policy or related field. Master’s degree strongly preferred;

·         8-10 years of progressive experience in the economic development and/or metropolitan policy and planning field;

·         Experience managing diverse stakeholder groups to consensus and defined outcomes;

·         Experience serving as an organizational representative on policy and community committees;

·         High-level understanding of federal, state, and local policy related to economic development and planning;

·         Expertise in research, data analysis, and related software tools;

·         Superb writing, presentation, and interpersonal communications skills;

·         Excellent project management skills, including strong time management, planning, and working with other teams internal and external to the organization;

·         Creative ability to develop and recommend new ideas and strategies that can improve the outcomes and execution of new programming;

·         Experience working in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Attributes:

·         Strategic Thinker: Capable of envisioning multi-sector strategies aligned with organizational goals.

·         Analytical Mindset: Highly proficient in analyzing research to drive strategy development.

·         Collaborator: Adept at fostering teamwork, consensus-building, and a positive work culture.

·         Adaptable and Innovative: Comfortable navigating changing environments and implementing innovative solutions.

·         Ethical and Compliant: Upholds high ethical standards and ensures compliance with regulations.

APPLICATIONS WITHOUT A COVER LETTER WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

What We Offer:

·         Competitive salary and benefits. The salary range for this position is $95,000-$105,000.

·         Supportive and mission-driven work.

·         Opportunities for professional development and leadership.

Salary : $95,000 - $105,000