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.
***Salary Depends on Qualifications***
TO APPLY:Qualified candidates should apply via the link below. No phone calls or emails, please. (Please disregard the application instructions in the 'Additional Information' section provided at the bottom of this job posting.)
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=c3aa6f49-978d-4589-a3e7-986b067f110c&ccId=19000101_000001&type=JS&lang=en_US
- 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 three (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 Suite (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 related fields 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.
TO APPLY:Qualified candidates should apply via the link below. No phone calls or emails, please. (Please disregard the application instructions in the 'Additional Information' section provided at the bottom of this job posting.)
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=c3aa6f49-978d-4589-a3e7-986b067f110c&ccId=19000101_000001&type=JS&lang=en_US
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.
