Business Attraction Manager

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation•Rockville, MD

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is seeking a driven, relationship-oriented Business Attraction Manager to join its Business Development team. This role is central to shaping Montgomery County’s economic future by attracting and retaining businesses in targeted industries such as Life Sciences, Advanced Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum, Satellite Communications, and Advanced Manufacturing. The position requires a sophisticated relationship builder and strategic thinker who understands corporate site selection complexities and can act as a trusted advisor to business leaders. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of independently managing business attraction efforts on a national and international level. Reporting to the Vice President of Business Development, this role is integral to the Business Attraction team and contributes directly to the County’s long-term economic growth strategy.

Requirements

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 or equivalent business development / corporate recruitment wins.
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.
Positive attitude with ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate across departments and organizations.
Good emotional intelligence, strong problem-solving skills, and attention to detail that carries through all work products.
High level of professionalism and the ability to represent MCEDC with credibility in any setting.
Bachelor’s degree required; preference in business, marketing, economic development, urban planning, public policy, real estate, finance, or a closely related field.
Minimum 3 years of experience in business attraction, corporate recruitment, economic development, or a closely related field such as site selection, commercial real estate, or business development.
Ability to travel domestically and potentially internationally multiple times per year.
Ability to use standard office equipment and computers.
Position may require moderate lifting of supplies and materials from time to time.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or relevant certifications (e.g., CEcD) a plus.
Knowledge of or experience with Salesforce, GIS, Gazelle.ai, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Familiarity with Tableau or PowerBI for project dashboards is a plus.
Strong project management and CRM skills; ability to manage multiple active projects with precision and follow-through.
Understanding of the economic development and site selection process, including the factors that shape a company’s location decision-making.

Responsibilities

Lead proactive business attraction initiatives with a focus on identifying, qualifying, and converting leads into viable economic development projects, with emphasis on target industries: Life Sciences, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Satellite Communications, and Advanced Manufacturing.
Develop and execute targeted business attraction strategies aligned with MCEDC priorities and sector focus areas.
Utilize and manage lead generation platforms and strategies to identify high-growth companies with interest in the Montgomery County region.
Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospects through personalized outreach, strategic follow-ups, and relationship nurturing, from lead identification through project completion.
Monitor and analyze market trends, industry movements, and competitive positioning to identify new opportunities for investment.
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with C-suite executives, site selection consultants, real estate brokers, and corporate decision-makers.
Serve as a subject-matter expert and strategic advisor for businesses considering expansion or relocation to Montgomery County, guiding them through the site selection process.
Represent Montgomery County at major tradeshows, site selector forums, and industry conferences domestically and internationally to generate leads and position the County as a top destination for investment.
Develop and maintain a network of key regional allies and partners who can participate in promoting Montgomery County to domestic and international prospects.
Represent MCEDC in high-level business and economic development engagements across public and private sectors.
Deliver compelling presentations and proposals tailored to the specific operational, workforce, and location needs of prospective businesses.
Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment and responsiveness throughout the project development cycle.
Coordinate cross-functional efforts with research, marketing, real estate, and external stakeholders to support active projects.
Prepare reports, dashboards, and pipeline updates for the Vice President of Business Development and executive leadership.
Work with the marketing team on business attraction strategies and collateral development, including targeted campaigns and outreach materials.
Track all business development activities, engagements, and outcomes in Salesforce and report regularly on pipeline progress.
Prepare and distribute RFIs to regional partners and investors as needed.
Develop innovative programs and initiatives that advance MCEDC’s economic development mission.
Support continuous improvement of business attraction processes and CRM utilization.
Support outreach to small, minority, and ethnic business communities to ensure a diverse and inclusive approach to business attraction.