Chief of Business Services

CHARLES COUNTY GOVERNMENT; White Plains (MD); Remote; USD 104,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

Charles County Government seeks a dynamic Chief of Business Services to develop, implement, and manage BRE and business support programs within the CCEDD. You will lead engagement with local businesses, oversee financing and incentives, and coordinate with partners on expansion and international initiatives.

You will provide strategic leadership, supervise the BRE Manager, and build relationships with business leaders to drive growth, jobs, and investment across the County.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; seven years’ progressively responsible economic development experience.
• At least two years in a management role; CEcD preferred but not required.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for BRE programs and business services.
• Lead BRE efforts and supervise the BRE Manager to ensure delivery of programs.
• Develop relationships with business leaders to identify growth opportunities.
• Oversee business visitation/outreach and analyze data for trends and risks.
• Coordinate financing, incentives, and workforce resources for existing businesses.

Skills

Bre leadership

Stakeholder relations

Strategic planning

Policy analysis

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

The hiring salary is $104,147.36 - $143,202.74 annually, commensurate with experience.

This is a continuous posting that may close without notice.

Open until filled with a best consideration date of November 3, 2026.

Telework eligibility is determined by county policy and the approval of the hiring department.

Charles County Government is seeking a dynamic Chief of Business Services to develop, implement, and manage the business retention, expansion, and business support programs for the Charles County Economic Development Department (CCEDD). The position leads engagement with existing Charles County businesses, oversees business assistance and financing programs, and develops initiatives that support business growth and investment. The position also supports international business initiatives and Sister City relationships and coordinates with the Chief of Commercial Development on business expansion and attraction activities, as appropriate.

• Provides strategic leadership for the Department’s Business Services functions, establishing priorities and developing strategies, programs, and initiatives that support business retention, expansion, and long-term growth.

• Provides leadership and supervision to the Business Retention and Expansion Manager, establishing priorities and ensuring effective delivery of BRE programs and business services.

• Leads the Department’s business retention and expansion (BRE) efforts, developing programs and initiatives that support the growth and long-term success of Charles County businesses.

• Builds and maintains relationships with business owners, executives, and industry leaders to understand business needs, identify expansion opportunities, and address challenges that may impact continued operations in the County.

• Oversees the Department’s business visitation and outreach program, using business feedback and data to identify trends, emerging needs, expansion opportunities, and potential risks to the local business community.

• Works with existing businesses to support expansion, job creation, capital investment, new market opportunities, and resolution of issues affecting ongoing operations.

• Serves as a subject matter expert on business retention, expansion, assistance, and financing, providing guidance to businesses, Department leadership, County agencies, and community partners.

• Develops and maintains relationships with local, regional, state, and federal partners to connect businesses with financing, workforce assistance, technical support, incentives, grants, and other resources.

• Develops and oversees business programs, workshops, events, and other initiatives that provide existing businesses and entrepreneurs with information, tools, and resources to support growth and sustainability.

• Oversees the CCEDD Business Development Loan Fund and Target Industry Incentives Loan Fund, including application review, loan committee coordination, approvals, closings, portfolio monitoring, repayment, and compliance.

• Coordinates financial assistance, incentives, grants, loans, workforce resources, and other support for existing and expanding businesses. Develops or oversees incentive and fiscal analyses, as appropriate, to evaluate return on investment to the County.

• Supports existing business expansion projects and works with the Chief of Commercial Development and other County departments to address development, permitting, real estate, infrastructure, and incentive needs.

• Maintains a strong understanding of Charles County’s major employers, industry clusters, business climate, economic assets, and emerging trends that may affect local businesses and industry growth.

• Oversees the collection and maintenance of business information and engagement data to support BRE activities, program development, outreach, and Department decision-making.

• Works closely with the Department’s marketing team to develop outreach, communications, and promotional efforts that support existing businesses, business programs, and available resources.

• Provides business and industry expertise to support Department marketing, communications, presentations, and business outreach efforts.

• Represents the Department at business meetings, presentations, industry events, and community and economic development organizations, as appropriate.

• Advises the Director and Deputy Director on business retention, expansion, financing, and assistance strategies and recommends programs, resources, and tools to strengthen the County’s business environment.

• Maintains a working knowledge of foreign direct investment (FDI) and supports international business development initiatives and partnerships, as appropriate.

• Supports the management and growth of Charles County’s Sister City relationships, including business exchanges, delegations, partnerships, and related economic development activities.

• Coordinates with the Chief of Commercial Development and other County departments to assist existing businesses with development, permitting, and other issues that may affect business expansion or continued operations.

• Assists the Director and/or Deputy Director with strategic initiatives, special projects, and other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, business retention and expansion, business assistance, business finance, or a related field, with at least two years at the management level; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Licenses or Certifications:

CEcD or similar economic development certification preferred but not required.

Must possess a valid driver's license.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

Subject to work beyond the normal scheduled hours of work.

Subject to frequent interruptions.

Travel may be required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of economic development best practices for business retention, expansion, and business assistance programs.

• Knowledge of factors affecting business growth, expansion, investment, and retention.

• Working knowledge of foreign direct investment and international economic development principles.

• Knowledge of conventional business practices and cultures.

• Knowledge of business financial reports such as cash flow and profit and loss statements.

• Knowledge of research analysis, spreadsheets, and ED related databases.

• Knowledge of economic development financing, incentives, business assistance programs, and resources available to support business growth.

• Knowledge of economic development, business development, zoning, commercial real estate, and factors affecting business expansion.

• Knowledge of County development and permitting process.

• Skill in negotiating contracts and working effectively with businesses, partners, and other stakeholders.

• Ability to write clearly, professionally, and effectively with the ability to adapt writing style to the medium, the specific need, and the target audience.

• Ability to interact professionally with people at all levels, building relationships based on trust and mutual needs.

• Ability to communicate orally and deliver public presentations in a professional and confident manner.

• Ability to read and interpret financial statements.

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.

• Ability to work independently or collaborate as a team member as situations dictate.

• Ability to set and communicate priorities.

• Ability to be flexible.

• Ability to effectively supervise, develop, and support assigned staff.

• Ability to reason analytically.

• Ability to apply business acumen to economic development recommendations and decisions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is mostly sedentary with periods of light physical activity. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for short periods; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards; speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office environment.

Department: Economic Development

Pay Grade: 120

FLSA Status: Exempt

Telework Eligible: Yes

Reports to: Director of Economic Development

Supervises: Business Retention and Expansion Manager