Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation – Senior Business Attraction Specialist

• Senior Business Attraction Specialist
• Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation
• Salary: $95,000.00 to $105,000.00 per year
• Filing Deadline: open until filled

The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is a public-private partnership and 501(c)(3) nonprofit, committed to positioning Montgomery County, Maryland as a premier destination for businesses in targeted industries such as Life Sciences, Advanced Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum, Satellite Communications, and more. Overseen by a Board of Directors with both public and private sector representation, the organization is funded by the Montgomery County Government and is committed to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and taking a proactive approach to economic development.

Our mission focuses on leveraging Montgomery County’s key assets – a diverse population, highly skilled workforce, and strong business infrastructure – to cultivate a thriving local economy and sustain the County’s role as a central hub for these critical industries within the Metropolitan region.

The Senior Business Attraction Specialist plays a pivotal role in advancing Montgomery County’s economic development objectives by supporting strategic business recruitment efforts that drive new investment and high-impact job creation. As a core member of MCEDC’s Business Development team, this outward-facing position is responsible for proactively cultivating influential relationships with C-suite executives, site selectors and real estate professionals, and guiding prospects through the site selection and decision-making process to secure successful relocation or expansion projects.

This role requires a sophisticated relationship builder and strategic thinker who understands the complexities of corporate growth decisions and can engage with business leaders as a trusted advisor. The ideal candidate brings a strong track record of independently managing business attraction efforts and is comfortable operating at a national and international level. Reporting to the Director of Economic Development – Attraction Lead, this position is an integral part of the Business Attraction team and contributes directly to shaping the County’s economic growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead proactive business attraction initiatives, with a focus on identifying, qualifying, and converting new leads into viable economic development projects, especially focused on our target industries:   Life sciences, technology, and advanced manufacturing/satellite communications.
• Represent Montgomery County at major tradeshows, site selector forums, and industry conferences across the country and internationally to generate business leads and position the County as a top destination for investment.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with C-suite executives, site selection consultants, real estate brokers, and corporate decision-makers.
• Manage a growing pipeline of prospects through personalized outreach, strategic follow-ups, and relationship nurturing, from lead generation through project completion.
• Deliver compelling presentations and proposals tailored to the specific operational, workforce, and location needs of prospective businesses.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert and strategic advisor for businesses considering expansion or relocation, guiding them through the site selection process.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment and responsiveness throughout the project development cycle.
• Track all business development activity, engagements, and outcomes in Salesforce and report on pipeline progress.
• Work with the marketing team on development of business attraction marketing strategies and collateral, including targeted campaigns and outreach materials.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to strengthen Montgomery County’s competitiveness in key sectors, including Life Sciences, Tech, Satellite and Advanced Communications.
• Support outreach to small, minority, and ethnic business communities as needed 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.
• 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.
• High level of professionalism
•    Preferred Education and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, economic development, or a related field; advanced degree or relevant certifications (e.g., CEcD) preferred.
• Experience working in business development, economic development or related field
• Minimum 4–6 years of experience in business attraction, corporate recruitment, economic development, or a closely related field.
• Proficiency in working with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong project management and CRM skills; Salesforce experience preferred.
• Familiarity with standard office equipment

Description of physical demands and work environment:

• Ability to travel domestically and potentially internationally up to 8–10 times per year.
• Must be able to use office equipment and computers
• Position may require moderate lifting of supplies and materials from time to time
• The working environment is a general office environment with a moderate noise level

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.