Senior Manager Business Development - Howard County Economic Development Authority

The Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) is seeking a detail-oriented and execution-focused professional to serve as the Senior Manager of Business Development. This role is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Business Development (BD) team, with a focus on pipeline management, activity tracking, and ensuring consistent follow-through across retention and attraction efforts. The ideal candidate will bring experience in business development, operations, or economic development, along with strong organizational and coordination skills, and will play a critical role in aligning team activities, driving accountability, and supporting engagement with local businesses, partners, and county agencies to deliver a high level of service.

***Salary hiring range: $100,000 – 110,000 - Depending on Qualifications. This is a salaried full-time position with benefits***

• Oversee day-to-day Business Development operations, ensuring alignment of team priorities and workload across retention and attraction efforts.
• Manage and maintain the BD pipeline, ensuring accurate tracking and progression of opportunities through Salesforce or equivalent CRM systems.
• Assign and coordinate BD activities across team members, ensuring clear ownership and timely follow-through.
• Monitor team performance and enforce accountability, ensuring consistent execution of outreach, business visits, and engagement activities.
• Ensure team-wide engagement in supporting small businesses, minority-owned businesses through a shared, distributed service model.
• Conduct business outreach and site visits, supporting existing businesses with retention, expansion, and problem-solving needs.
• Collaborate with local business partners, industry associations, and county agencies to provide coordinated and responsive support to businesses.
• Identify and implement process improvements and prepare regular reports on BD activities and pipeline performance to support leadership decision-making.

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS:

• Proven ability to manage operations, workflows, and team activities in a fast-paced, result-driven environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and ensure consistent follow-through.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with a focus on accountability and team performance.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with businesses, partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Customer service-oriented mindset with a commitment to responsive, high-quality business engagement.
• Ability to use data and systems (e.g., CRM tools) to manage pipelines and support informed decision-making.
• Analytical problem-solving skills with the ability to identify gaps and implement process improvements.

• Minimum five (5) years of experience in business development, economic development, project management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing workflows, coordinating team activities, or overseeing projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and ensure consistent follow-through in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience engaging with businesses, partners, or clients, with the ability to represent organizational programs effectively in both written and verbal communication.
• Proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and external partners while maintaining accountability and ownership of assigned responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Location: This position is based at the HCEDA office and requires in-person attendance to support team collaboration, client interactions, and program delivery.
• Telework: Remote work may be approved on a case-by-case basis to accommodate specific needs or tasks that can be effectively completed offsite.
• Local Travel: Regular local travel is expected for business visits, attending regional events, and representing HCEDA at various engagements.

TO APPLY:

Qualified candidates should apply at this Senior Manager Business Development

Other questions can be sent to EDAjobs@hceda.org.  No phone calls please.

HCEDA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.  HCEDA prohibits discrimination on the basis race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Salary : $100,000 - $110,000