MEDA – Executive Director

• Location: Remote (telework), with 20–30% travel primarily within Maryland
• Salary: $100,000 – $125,000, commensurate with experience 
• Filing Deadline: November 16, 2026

About MEDA and the MEDA Foundation

The Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) is a member-driven, nonprofit association dedicated to advancing economic development practices in Maryland. Alongside it, the MEDA Foundation, an affiliated 501(c)(3), supports professional development activities of the organization.

Together, these two legally distinct nonprofits, each with its own Board of Directors, bank accounts, budget, and financial records, serve the economic development profession through conferences, professional development, networking, and community-building.

The Opportunity

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive of both MEDA and the MEDA Foundation, providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, financial stewardship, fundraising leadership, and stakeholder engagement.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a collaborative and entrepreneurial leader who enjoys working with Boards, members, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable shaping organizational strategy, cultivating relationships, managing finances, advancing programs, and overseeing day-to-day operations within a small and highly engaged organization.

The Executive Director serves as the primary liaison to two Boards of Directors and is responsible for ensuring appropriate governance, financial management, and compliance for both entities while leading a dedicated staff and extensive network of volunteers.

As the public face of the organization, the Executive Director represents MEDA and the MEDA Foundation with members, elected officials, sponsors, partner organizations, educational institutions, and the broader economic development community. This position requires frequent in-person attendance at meetings, conferences, legislative events, and stakeholder engagements throughout Maryland. Candidates residing in Maryland are strongly preferred.

Successful Candidates Will Need to Demonstrate the Following:

Dual-entity governance and fiscal responsibility:

• Serve as chief staff executive to both the Association’s Board (501(c)(6)) and the Foundation’s Board (501(c)(3)), attending all board meetings and relevant committee meetings.
• Maintain clear separation of governance and recordkeeping.
• Ensure appropriate allocation of staff time and overhead costs between the entities.
• Recruit, orient, and support volunteer leaders, board officers, and committee chairs for both entities; manage board elections, terms, and succession planning.

Programs, Events, and Member Engagement

Provide leadership and oversight for all organizational programs and initiatives, including:

• Annual and quarterly conferences
• Professional development programs and certification opportunities
• Leadership and mentorship initiatives
• Scholarship and tuition assistance programs
• Awards and recognition programs
• Young Leaders activities
• Peer networking opportunities and member engagement initiatives

The Executive Director will work closely with staff, volunteer leaders, instructors, speakers, and sponsors to ensure programs consistently deliver value to members.

Fundraising and Development

• Lead fundraising and revenue-generation strategies for both organizations.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with sponsors, donors, foundations, corporate partners, and stakeholders.
• Pursue grant opportunities and oversee grant management and reporting.
• Develop strategies to strengthen financial sustainability and diversify revenue sources.

Membership, Communications, and External Relations

• Lead membership recruitment and retention efforts.
• Oversee communications, including newsletters, website content, social media, and member outreach.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting the economic development profession and communicate relevant information to members.
• Represent MEDA and the MEDA Foundation at meetings, conferences, public events, and industry gatherings.

Staff Leadership

• Hire, supervise, and develop staff and contractors; manage personnel policies and performance reviews.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, vendor and contract management, technology systems, and office administration.
• This position has a full-time Operations Manager who will work with the ED to ensure all goals are met.

What You Bring

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in association management, business, economic development, urban planning, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience)
• 5+ years of progressively responsible nonprofit, association, or economic development management experience, including staff and budget oversight.
• Demonstrated experience working with and reporting to a volunteer Board of Directors; experience managing more than one governing body is a strong plus.
• Track record of successful fundraising, sponsorship development, or grant management.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit financial management, including budgeting, financial statements, and 501(c) compliance basics.
• Excellent verbal, written, and public speaking skills; comfort representing an organization to elected officials, media, and industry leaders.
• Experience planning conferences, training programs, or large-scale events.
• Maryland resident.

Preferred

• Familiarity with economic development practice, terminology, and the professional landscape (e.g., state EDO associations).
• Experience in a dual-entity “association + foundation” nonprofit structure.
• CEcD (Certified Economic Developer) credential, or willingness to pursue certification.
• Experience with association management software (AMS), CRM, and virtual/hybrid event platforms.

Core competencies

• Strategic leadership and sound judgment across two organizations with distinct missions and compliance requirements.
• Financial acumen and attention to detail in multi-entity budgeting and reporting.
• Relationship-building with members, board volunteers, sponsors, and policymakers.
• Program and event management from concept through execution and evaluation.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including translating policy for a member audience.
• Staff leadership, delegation, and team development.

Work Environment & Travel

This position is primarily remote and based within Maryland. Regular travel to conferences, board meetings, member events, and legislative meetings is required (an estimated 20–30%), including some evenings and weekends around events.

Salary and Compensation

Salary range: $100,000 – $125,000, commensurate with experience

Benefits include:

• Flexible remote work environment
• Monthly technology and communications stipend
• Paid holidays
• Two weeks of paid vacation
• Flexible scheduling aligned with organizational programming and events
• Significant professional networking and leadership opportunities within Maryland’s economic development community

Please note that health, dental, and vision insurance are not currently offered.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Submit to: Info@medamd.com

Deadline: November 16, 2026

Applicants should describe their qualifications, leadership experience, and interest in advancing the mission of MEDA and the MEDA Foundation.

This search is conducted on behalf of both the MEDA Board of Directors and the MEDA Foundation Board of Directors. MEDA and the MEDA Foundation are equal opportunity employers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.