Business Development Lead

POSITION CLASS DESCRIPTION / SUMMARY: Salaried Full-Time with benefits

The Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) is seeking a mission-driven, detail-oriented individual to join its Business Development team. This position focuses on supporting Howard County’s IT, Cybersecurity, Emerging Technology, and GovCon/Defense sectors. Ideal candidates will bring a strong background in economic development, business outreach, and a deep understanding of targeted industries, particularly those supporting federal and defense-related activities. Veterans with experience in technology, leadership, or strategic planning are strongly encouraged to apply, as their skills align closely with the role’s focus areas.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Business Retention, Attraction, and Expansion: manage and execute activities to retain and grow businesses in Howard County, focusing on vertical sectors such as IT, Cybersecurity, and Emerging Technology, while leveraging GovCon/Defense as a horizontal strategy to support these industries and foster cross-sector growth.
• Sector Leadership: Develop and implement a targeted strategy to support and grow Howard County's cyber cluster, emerging tech startups, and defense contractors.
• Lead Generation: Cultivate relationships with brokers, government agencies, and industry partners to identify and pursue leads throughout the region.
• Strategic Partnerships: Build relationships with federal agencies (e.g., NSA, U.S. Cyber Command) and regional innovation hubs to position Howard County as a top destination for technology firms.
• Ecosystem Development: Collaborate with local universities, innovation centers, and partner organizations to foster workforce development and innovation in the tech sectors.
• Data-Driven Outreach: Oversee tracking and reporting of business development outcomes, utilizing real estate and CRM platforms to drive informed decision-making.
• Community Representation: Represent HCEDA and Howard County at civic, business, and community events, as well as serve on boards, commissions, and committees related to targeted industries.

Desired Characteristics

• Familiarity with IT, Cybersecurity, Emerging Technologies, and the Defense Tech sectors
• Leadership experience, managing complex projects and programs, particularly in government, defense, or technology sectors
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels
• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to collaborate across sectors and organizations
• Mission-driven and comfortable learning and adopting new systems, technologies, and processes
• Strong analytical and strategic problem-solving capabilities

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in economic development, project management, or business development 
• Ability to represent the HCEDA’s economic development programs effectively, orally and in writing
• Strong customer service orientation for internal and external customers
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to work on a variety of projects and requests with time-sensitive deadlines simultaneously
• Demonstrate enthusiasm, professionalism, and willingness to work as a team
• Ability to prioritize workload, handle pressure and meet deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications 

• 5-7 years of progressive experience in economic development or business development, with a focus on IT, Cybersecurity or emerging tech sectors
• Master’s degree in a related field such as business administration, public policy, or economic development
• Experience with site selection, real estate tools, and Salesforce or equivalent CRM platforms
• Familiarity with federal government contracting processes and GovCon ecosystems
• Knowledge of emerging technology trends, including AI, machine learning, and quantum computing
• Military leadership experience, particularly in technology, innovation, or defense-related fields