Careers

Join Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) and play a meaningful role in shaping the economic future of one of the nation’s most dynamic and innovative business communities: Montgomery County, Maryland.

Overview

The Business Attraction Manager position is part of our Business Development team and plays a central role in shaping Montgomery County’s economic future. This is an exciting opportunity for an economic development professional ready to work on high-impact deals, engage with corporate decision-makers at the highest levels, and represent one of the most dynamic and strategically positioned counties in the country.

This role requires a sophisticated relationship builder and strategic thinker who understands the complexities of corporate site selection and can engage with business leaders as a trusted advisor. The ideal candidate brings a demonstrated track record of independently managing business attraction efforts and is comfortable operating at both a national and international level.

As a Business Attraction Manager, you will work alongside a high-performing team of economic development professionals to attract new companies, investment, and jobs to Montgomery County, Maryland. This role also offers the opportunity to leverage industry-leading economic development tools, data platforms, and market intelligence to engage business leaders and support strategic growth initiatives. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Business Development, this position is an integral part of the Business Attraction team and contributes directly to shaping the County’s long-term economic growth strategy.

 

Key Responsibilities

Business Attraction & Lead Generation

• Lead proactive business attraction initiatives with a focus on identifying, qualifying, and converting leads into viable economic development projects, with emphasis on our target industries: Life Sciences, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Satellite Communications, and Advanced Manufacturing
• Develop and execute targeted business attraction strategies aligned with MCEDC priorities and sector focus areas
• Utilize and manage lead generation platforms and strategies to identify high-growth companies with interest in the Montgomery County region
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospects through personalized outreach, strategic follow-ups, and relationship nurturing, from lead identification through project completion
• Monitor and analyze market trends, industry movements, and competitive positioning to identify new opportunities for investment

Relationship Management & Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with C-suite executives, site selection consultants, real estate brokers, and corporate decision-makers
• Serve as a subject-matter expert and strategic advisor for businesses considering expansion or relocation to Montgomery County, guiding them through the site selection process
• Represent Montgomery County at major tradeshows, site selector forums, and industry conferences domestically and internationally to generate leads and position the County as a top destination for investment
• Develop and maintain a network of key regional allies and partners who can participate in promoting Montgomery County to domestic and international prospects.
  Represent MCEDC in high-level business and economic development engagements across public and private sectors

Project Development & Collaboration

• Deliver compelling presentations and proposals tailored to the specific operational, workforce, and location needs of prospective businesses
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment and responsiveness throughout the project development cycle
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts with research, marketing, real estate, and external stakeholders to support active projects
• Prepare reports, dashboards, and pipeline updates for the Vice President of Business Development and executive leadership
• Work with the marketing team on business attraction strategies and collateral development, including targeted campaigns and outreach materials

CRM & Process Excellence

• Track all business development activities, engagements, and outcomes in Salesforce and report regularly on pipeline progress
  Prepare and distribute RFIs to regional partners and investors as needed
  Develop innovative programs and initiatives that advance MCEDC’s economic development mission
  Support continuous improvement of business attraction processes and CRM utilization
  Support outreach to small, minority, and ethnic business communities to ensure a diverse and inclusive approach to business attraction

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Self-starter with the ability to lead projects independently, prioritize effectively, and drive toward measurable outcomes in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated track record of developing and closing business attraction projects or equivalent business development / corporate recruitment wins
• Deep understanding of the site selection process and real estate market dynamics, including workforce, infrastructure, and incentive considerations
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship management skills, with demonstrated ability to engage and influence C-suite executives and high-level stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft persuasive presentations and proposals
• Positive attitude with ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate across departments and organizations
• Good emotional intelligence, strong problem-solving skills, and attention to detail that carries through all work products
• High level of professionalism and the ability to represent MCEDC with credibility in any setting.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; preference in business, marketing, economic development, urban planning, public policy, real estate, finance, or a closely related field. Advanced degree or relevant certifications (e.g., CEcD) a plus.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in business attraction, corporate recruitment, economic development, or a closely related field such as site selection, commercial real estate, or business development.
• Knowledge of or experience with Salesforce, GIS, Gazelle.ai, and Microsoft Office Suite. Familiarity with Tableau or PowerBI for project dashboards is a plus.
  Strong project management and CRM skills; ability to manage multiple active projects with precision and follow-through.
• Understanding of the economic development and site selection process, including the factors that shape a company’s location decision-making.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Ability to travel domestically and potentially internationally multiple times per year
• Ability to use standard office equipment and computers
• Position may require moderate lifting of supplies and materials from time to time
• General office environment with a moderate noise level

Location

MCEDC is located in Montgomery County, Maryland, one of the most economically vibrant and strategically positioned counties in the nation, with unparalleled access to Washington, D.C., leading federal agencies, top-tier research institutions, and a highly educated workforce. This is an incredible place to build a career in economic development.

Compensation

Salary range: $105,000 – $120,000 commensurate with experience. Eligible for bonus incentive structure based on individual, team, and organizational performance metrics. Full employee benefits package included.

EEO Statement

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.