Deputy Director of Economic Development

St Mary's County Government; Leonardtown (MD); On-site; USD 109,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Mary’s County Government seeks a senior leader to assist the Director of the Department of Economic Development in guiding staff toward departmental goals. The role requires directing operations, supervising mid-level managers, and coordinating with boards and local partners to implement core initiatives.

The position emphasizes expert knowledge of county procedures, fiscal policy, and development strategies, with social and professional engagement across public and private sectors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required; seven years or more of related experience or equivalent education is required.
• Background investigation and pre-employment drug test are required.
• Experience in government policy, budgeting, and county programs is expected.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate day-to-day management of the Department under the Director.
• Oversee operations, activities, and programs within the Department.
• Develop, present, and defend recommendations on departmental proposals.
• Enforce policies and procedures for county programs; oversee budgets and staffing.
• Review contracts, reports, and performance data; supervise department staff.
• Represent the department with external groups and coordinate public-private partnerships.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Policy knowledge

Communication

Strategic planning

Relationship building

Supervision

Data analysis

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Seven years of related professional experience

Job description

Assists the Director of the Department of Economic Development in coordinating, directing, and assessing the work of department staff to facilitate the achievement of departmental goals and objectives; works under the general direction of the Department Director with latitude for independent action and judgment and is evaluated on the contribution to the efficiency of the Department and the effectiveness of program goals and objectives; performs other duties as assigned.

The hiring salary for this position is $109,117 - $120,370 annually.

1. Works under the direction of the Department Director to facilitate the day-to-day management of the Department;
2. Oversees and provides technical management for all operations, activities, and programs within the assigned department;
3. Develops, presents, and defends professional recommendations about various departmental proposals;
4. Enforces policies and procedures governing the administration of various county administered programs;
5. Oversees the operating budgets and staffing requirements; reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations regarding areas of responsibility;
6. Analyzes technical performance reports, correspondence, and contracts;
7. Provides supervision for department staff and direct supervision for mid-level department managers, including staff assignments, performance, and accountability;
8. Increases professional knowledge through attending workshops and conferences, participating in professional associations and activities, and reading professional and local publications;
9. Oversee implementation of Departmental key initiatives, under the direction of the Department Director: Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, business retention and expansion and technology business development initiatives.
10. Acts as liaison to groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, Housing Authority of St. Mary’s County and St. Mary’s County Community Development Corporation, and coordinates strategic partnerships with public and private stakeholders as directed by the Department Director. Serves as liaison to and manages the boards and commissions assigned to the Department of Economic Development, including the Agriculture, Seafood and Forestry Board and the Economic Development Commission.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

1. Ability to gain advanced knowledge of St. Mary’s County Government policies and procedures;
2. Ability to act as a representative of St. Mary’s County Government in the absence of the Director, to the public;
3. Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of department operations and services and of administrative management, and the ability to interpret same to staff and the public;
4. Extensive knowledge of governmental fiscal policies, procedures, and legal mandates including the budget process;
5. Extensive knowledge on modern research and investigative techniques and procedures;
6. Extensive knowledge of the laws, statutes, and ordinances of the State of Maryland and St. Mary’s County, including knowledge of land use planning, zoning, and development processes as they relate to economic development;
7. General knowledge of Naval installations.
8. Ability to keep the Department Director and all relevant parties informed of all major issues and programs and to recommend changes as appropriate;
9. Ability to supervise, plan, and coordinate the work of diverse staff in order to accomplish departmental goals and objectives;
10. Ability to review, evaluate, and initiate appropriate action on technical and legal reports, contracts, and documents concerning departmental matters;
11. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county officials, associates, subordinates, representatives from other agencies, and the general public;
12. Knowledge of electronic resources, including the Internet and database information retrieval;
13. Ability to operate relevant computer systems, including hardware and software.

1. Bachelor’s degree;
2. Seven years or more of related professional experience, or additional education in a specialized area;
3. Or equivalent technical training, education, and/or experience.

Additional Requirements:

1. Must successfully pass background investigation with favorable results;
2. Must pass a pre-employment drug test.

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

Work requires no unusual demand for physical effort.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls.

Full salary range for this position is $109,117 - $187,928 annually. The full salary range does not reflect the anticipated hiring salary for this position. The anticipated hiring range is $109,117 - $120,370 annually, based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.