Research & Policy Manager

Overview: The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) brings a big and bold approach to achieving greater economic competitiveness and prosperity across Montgomery County, MD.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a fresh public/private perspective, entrepreneurial spirit, and proactive approach to economic development, MCEDC is focused on maximizing Montgomery County’s rich diversity of people, talent, and business expertise to keep the county at the leading edge of today’s competitive economic development environment.

Overseen by a Board of Directors with both public and private sector representation, MCEDC is committed to growing the county’s vibrant business community and leveraging current strengths and advantages to build an even stronger, more stable, and diverse future economy that benefits all members of the community.

The Research & Policy Manager is an exempt full-time position and serves as a key member of MCEDC’s strategy team. This position reports to the Vice President of Strategy and Innovation and will be primarily responsible for leading and managing the research necessary to support MCEDC strategic initiatives, RFP/business development responses, and organizational marketing campaigns.

The Research & Policy Manager will support MCEDC through activities including, but not limited to:

• Designing and executing research projects, including research design, data collection and analysis (quantitative and qualitative), interviews, writing, data visualization, and authoring reports or other deliverables
• Continuously analyzing relevant data sets and economic indicators and disseminating updated findings/recommendations to MCEDC leadership
• Delivering final products that are accessible and informative to non-specialist audiences
• Identifying and building relationships with key external stakeholders
• Managing junior staff’s work on select research projects

Essential Functions/Duties/Tasks:

• Provide research and analytic support to MCEDC’s management with timely and relevant research, data analysis, data interpretation, and information
• Support strategic planning activities by compiling, analyzing and presenting data to support assessment and decision making in various areas including targeted industries, emerging industries, proposed policy changes and other relevant topics.
• Use ArcOnline to develop Story Maps—and other presentations with a geospatial component—to enhance MCEDC communications materials in coordination with marketing team
• Conduct research analysis, literature reviews, and keep up to date on best practices relevant to MCEDC’s mission
• Prepare data for use in reports, charts, tables and graphs related to the local business climate
• Develop and present training to MCEDC staff on accessing and using data to further MCEDC’s mission
• Provide quantitative data and analysis to support the county’s Comprehensive Economic Plan and MCEDC’s strategic plan

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Experience navigating and analyzing key data sets and databases (ESRI, JobsEQ, Census, BLS, etc.)
• Adaptable to changes in the work environment, managing competing demands, changing approaches or methods to best fit the situation, and dealing with frequent changes or unexpected events
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, to meet tight deadlines within budgetary constraints, and to handle multiple projects simultaneously and autonomously
• Superb communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen actively and present clearly and effectively in positive or negative situations, and to respond well to questions
• Writes clearly and informatively and varies writing style to meet needs

Preferred education and experience:

• Experience working in an economic development organization
• Experience working in an entrepreneurial environment
• Master’s Degree
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Proficiency in working with Microsoft Office Suite and Salesforce or other CRM
• Familiarity with standard office equipment

Description of physical demands and work environment:

• Must be able to travel throughout the county to companies, partner organizations, meetings, and events
• Must be able to occasionally travel outside of the region to events and trade shows
• 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

Job Type: Full-time, Exempt
Job Location: Hybrid/Montgomery County, MD
Required education: Master’s Degree
Required experience: Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience

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, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.