Small and Minority Business Officer

SALARY:

Salary: Depends on Qualifications

OPENING DATE: 06/17/22

CLOSING DATE: 07/01/22 12:00 AM

POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION:
The Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) is seeking a highly skilled and
experienced Small and Minority Business Officer for the further development of an inclusive and
equitable economy in Howard County, Maryland.  This individual must be able to work
collaboratively, professionally and competently in a fast-paced, high-performance, and multi-
disciplined work environment. In this role, this individual will build connections and relationships
within the business community and facilitate opportunities for business growth and capital investment
with a specific concentration on small and minority businesses.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Provide vision in partnership with Managing Director of Business Development regarding
  strategies to grow and strengthen Howard County’s small business community in an inclusive
  and diverse way
  Create opportunities for small and minority business expansion and attraction
  Manage relationships with key stakeholders in the business community
  Serve as a voice of HCEDA at all public venues, articulating the organization’s vision,
  mission, and strategy to all constituency groups; creating strong linkages with community
  residents and groups so the highest degree of impact can be achieved through the most
  effective use of resources
  Implement small and minority business support, outreach, community engagement and
  relationship management events as appropriate
  Meet regularly with client companies to assist with expansion or relocation opportunities and
  provide coaching/education and facilitate connections to resources to accelerate their growth
  Provide technical assistance to local businesses through response to inquiries, outreach, and
  connecting businesses to state and local resources
  Input and maintain accurate data into reporting software to reflect workplan activities as
  outlined in the organization’s Strategic Plan
  Work both collaboratively and independently with business development team, and partners
  to complete nonrecurring and ongoing projects as assigned
  Lead, manage, and/or serve on various committees, both internal to HCEDA, county
  departments and/or external in the community representing HCEDA interests

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Previous experience working with minority businesses preferred
  Verified commitment to serving the needs of underrepresented groups
  Extensive experience interfacing with internal and external stakeholders and diverse clientele
  Respect for and genuine interest in advancing the growth of small and minority-based
  businesses in Howard County
  Comfortable in fast-paced environment and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
  3+ years of proven, successful track record of business retention and attraction activities in
  an economic development office preferably at the local (county or municipality level)
  Working knowledge of State of MD economic development programs and resources
  Knowledgeable of the principles and practices of economic development and the general
  business community
  Demonstrated experience with economic development, deal structure development and
  execution
  Exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to demonstrate strong communication,
  organizational, time management, writing, mathematic and problem-solving skills
  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals and
  community leaders
  Demonstrate enthusiasm, professionalism, and willingness to work as a team. Must be able
  to prioritize work load, handle pressure and meet deadlines
  Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Windows Software, knowledge of
  Salesforce and CoStar preferred but not required, and basic mobile technologies. Able to
  learn reporting software platforms

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• 3-5 years of experience in economic development, community development, government, or
  small business

TO APPLY:
Qualified candidates should send resumes, cover letter and salary expectations to the attention of
Ms. Kimmie at mdkimmie@hceda.org.  No phone calls please.