BRE Specialist

MONTGOMERY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus incentive program

Full benefits package

Job summary

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation is seeking a driven BRE Specialist to lead business retention and expansion initiatives. You will identify growth opportunities, engage with corporate decision-makers, and guide projects through site selection with cross-functional teams.

The role emphasizes relationship-building, strategic advisory skills, and a national/international reach to position Montgomery County as a top investment destination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; CEcD or related certification a plus.
• Demonstrated track record in economic development or corporate recruitment.
• Experience engaging with C-suite executives and high-level stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Identify and qualify BRE opportunities across Life Sciences, Technology, AI, and Advanced Manufacturing.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline from lead to project completion.
• Engage site selection consultants, brokers, and decision-makers to drive expansions or relocations.
• Represent MCEDC at tradeshows, conferences, and public-private engagements.
• Prepare tailored presentations, proposals, and reports for senior leadership.
• Collaborate with marketing, research, and real estate teams to advance active projects.

Skills

Self-starter

Relationship management

C-suite engagement

Project management

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

CEcD or related certification (preferred)

Tools

Salesforce

GIS

Gazelle.ai

Microsoft Office

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

BRE SPECIALIST – JOB DESCRIPTION

Reports To: Vice President of Business Development

Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Montgomery County, MD (Preferred)

Date: October 2026

ABOUT MCEDC

The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is a public-private partnership and 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to positioning Montgomery County, Maryland as a premier destination for business investment, innovation, and growth. Overseen by a Board of Directors with both public and private sector representation and funded by the Montgomery County Government, MCEDC operates at the intersection of strategy and action, connecting companies with the resources, relationships, and community assets they need to thrive.

Our work focuses on attracting and retaining businesses in targeted industries including Life Sciences, Advanced Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum, Satellite Communications, and Advanced Manufacturing. We leverage Montgomery County’s exceptional assets, a highly educated and diverse workforce, world-class research institutions, and proximity to federal agencies and the nation’s capital, to build and sustain a dynamic local economy that serves as a critical hub within the greater Washington Metropolitan region.

At MCEDC, we take an entrepreneurial approach to economic development. We move fast, think strategically, and build meaningful partnerships that create lasting impact for our businesses and communities alike.

Overview

We are looking for a driven, relationship-oriented Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Specialist to join our Business Development team and play a central role in shaping Montgomery County’s economic future. This is an exciting opportunity for an economic development professional ready to work on high-impact deals, engage with corporate decision-makers at the highest levels, and represent one of the most dynamic and strategically positioned counties in the country.

This role requires a sophisticated relationship builder and strategic thinker who understands the complexities of corporate site selection and can engage with business leaders as a trusted advisor. The ideal candidate brings a demonstrated track record of independently managing business retention and expansion efforts and is comfortable operating at both a national and international level.

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Business Development, this position is an integral part of the BRE team and contributes directly to shaping the County’s long-term economic growth strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Business Retention/Expansion & Lead Generation

• Be proactive with BRE initiatives with a focus on identifying, qualifying, and converting leads to viable economic development projects, with emphasis on our target industries: Life Sciences, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Satellite Communications, and Advanced Manufacturing.

• Help develop and execute targeted BRE strategies aligned with MCEDC priorities and sector focus areas.

• Utilize and manage lead generation platforms and strategies to identify high-growth companies within Montgomery County.

• 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.
• Identify local companies that are eligible to apply for or utilize the EDCs ACE loan program.

Relationship Management & Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with local 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 local tradeshows, forums, and industry conferences to generate leads and position the County as a top destination for future investment.

• Develop and maintain a network of key regional allies and partners who can participate in promoting Montgomery County to local prospects.

• Represent MCEDC in high-level business and economic development engagements across public and private sectors.

Project Development & Collaboration

• 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 retention strategies and collateral development, including targeted campaigns and outreach materials.

CRM & Process Excellence

• 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.

• Help 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.

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 economic development projects or equivalent business development / corporate recruitment wins.

• 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.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; preference in business, marketing, economic development, urban planning, public policy, real estate, finance, or a closely related field. Advanced degree or relevant certifications (e.g., CEcD) a plus.

• Minimum 2 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.

• 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.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Ability to travel within the state and region 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.

• General office environment with a moderate noise level.

Location

MCEDC is located in Montgomery County, Maryland, one of the most economically vibrant and strategically positioned counties in the nation, with unparalleled access to Washington, D.C., leading federal agencies, top-tier research institutions, and a highly educated workforce. This is an incredible place to build a career in economic development.

Compensation

Salary range: $75,000 - $100,000 commensurate with experience. Eligible for bonus incentive structure based on individual, team, and organizational performance metrics. Full employee benefits package included.

Why Should You Apply?

• Play a meaningful role in shaping the economic future of one of the most dynamic counties in America.

• Work alongside a high-performing team of economic development professionals in a truly collaborative environment.

• Access and leverage some of the latest economic development tools and platforms in the industry.

• Be part of an organization where your ideas are valued, and your work creates a real, visible impact.

• Opportunity for career progression in a growing, mission-driven organization.

• Full employee benefits package.

• Montgomery County, MD location with excellent connectivity to the greater Washington Metropolitan region.

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.