Overview

The Vice President of Economic Competitiveness (“VP”) serves as a key member of the MCEDC leadership team and reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer. This position also supervises the Research Analyst and partners closely with leadership to advance the organization’s research, and business intelligence priorities.

The VP is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive, data-driven strategy that supports inclusive economic growth, business attraction, and retention across Montgomery County. This role leads the collection, analysis, and interpretation of economic and market data to generate actionable insights and forward-looking indicators. By monitoring local, national, and global economic trends, the VP ensures MCEDC can anticipate challenges, identify growth opportunities, and align strategies with evolving business and workforce needs.

The research and analysis produced by this position will inform organizational decision-making, help guide public policy, and support communication with external stakeholders, including elected officials, business leaders, and community partners.

Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership (60%)

• Lead a lean research team and set the strategic direction for MCEDC’s research function, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and economic development goals.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to leadership, providing data-driven insights that inform business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts.
• Design and oversee quantitative and qualitative research initiatives that generate actionable insights and forward-looking indicators.
• Monitor, analyze and interpret key economic indicators and datasets; regularly share findings and insights with leadership and external stakeholders.
• Provide analytical support across departments to inform initiatives in business development, marketing, and outreach.
• Facilitate brainstorming sessions, focus groups, and strategy discussions that generate actionable insights and new programmatic ideas.
• Support leadership in aligning resources and investments with long-term economic development goals.
• Lead policy research, benchmarking, and analysis to inform program development and economic strategy.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to integrate research into business development, marketing, and stakeholder engagement efforts.
• Translate complex economic concepts into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
• Represent MCEDC externally in meetings, councils, boards, and media engagements as a subject matter expert.
• Foster collaboration with government agencies, business leaders, and community partners to inform decision-making and align priorities.

Business Intelligence (40%)

• Develop and manage a comprehensive business intelligence framework to track economic, workforce, industry, and real estate trends at local, regional, and national levels.
• Develop predictive indicators to anticipate business relocations, expansions, and emerging industry shifts.
• Create and maintain data dashboards, reports, and visualization tools (using Excel, Power BI, Tableau, Qualtrics, or similar platforms) to support strategic decision-making.
• Evaluate and integrate external data sources, including economic datasets, market research, and proprietary intelligence.
• Oversee the production of research publications, dashboards, and reports that communicate complex economic and policy insights clearly and effectively.
• Monitor global policy and trade dynamics to identify potential impacts and opportunities for Montgomery County’s economy.
• Help to develop data-driven, inclusive economic policies.
• Identify emerging issues and propose proactive programmatic responses.

Strategic Impact

• Shape MCEDC’s economic development strategy through data-driven insights.
• Influence executive decision-making and organizational priorities.
• Strengthen business attraction and retention outcomes through actionable intelligence.
• Elevate MCEDC’s external credibility through research, reporting, and thought leadership.
• Enhance cross-functional alignment by embedding data into daily operations and long-term planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Business Analytics, Statistics, Data Science, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in research, policy analysis, or economic development, with demonstrated leadership in data-driven decision-making.
• Proven success in research and policy leadership within an economic development or related environment.
• Strong communicator and collaborator with the ability to build consensus and foster productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated adaptability in balancing multiple priorities and managing cross-functional projects.
• Skilled in the use of data tools such as Excel, Power BI, Tableau, and Qualtrics (or comparable platforms).
• Familiarity with data sources or platforms such as CoStar, JobsEQ, BLS, Lightcast, US Census, PitchBook, additional economic and data modeling platforms.
• Effective team leader and mentor with experience developing and guiding staff.
• Confident presenter capable of communicating insights to elected officials, business leaders, and the media.
• Knowledge of budgeting, advocacy, and cross-departmental collaboration within a public-private or nonprofit setting.