Senior Economic Development Officer

Baltimore Development Corp; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) seeks a Senior Economic Development Officer to lead strategies that attract investment, support local businesses, and drive job creation across Baltimore.

You will collaborate with government agencies, private partners, and community stakeholders, analyze economic trends, and deliver data-driven programs that align with city and national goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Economic Development, Urban Planning, or related field.
• 4–5 years of experience in economic development, small business support, or community development.
• Experience working with small businesses or in community-based settings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Build and sustain relationships with diverse business communities and neighborhood stakeholders.
• Represent the organization at community meetings and public events.
• Collaborate with partner organizations to coordinate service delivery and avoid duplication.
• Support advocacy initiatives that advance policies benefiting small businesses.
• Provide data collection, surveys, and reporting to inform program improvements.
• Assist with grant programs and district-level economic analyses.

Skills

Economic development experience

Stakeholder engagement

Strong written and verbal comunicación

Project management

Data analysis and reporting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Senior Economic Development Officer

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Salary Range: $75,000.00 To $90,000.00 Annually

About Company:

Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) is the City of Baltimore's economic development agency. We work to strengthen Baltimore's economy by attracting investment, supporting businesses, advancing real estate development, and creating opportunities that help neighborhoods, employers, and residents thrive.

Our work is rooted in the belief that economic growth should benefit the entire city. From helping businesses launch and expand to advancing catalytic development projects, connecting entrepreneurs with resources, and building partnerships across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, BDC helps turn Baltimore's potential into lasting progress.

At BDC, you will join a mission-driven team committed to shaping a more vibrant, equitable, and economically resilient Baltimore. We value collaboration, innovation, accountability, and a deep connection to the communities we serve.

Whether your expertise is in real estate, small-business support, finance, communications, community investment, grants, compliance, or economic development, your work at BDC can make a meaningful impact on Baltimore's future.

About the Role:

The Senior Economic Development Officer plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable economic growth and community prosperity within the United States. This position is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing strategic initiatives that attract investment, support local businesses, and foster job creation. The officer collaborates with government agencies, private sector partners, and community stakeholders to identify opportunities and address economic challenges. By analyzing economic trends and leveraging data-driven insights, the role ensures that development efforts align with regional and national economic goals. Ultimately, the Senior Economic Development Officer contributes to building resilient economies that enhance quality of life and promote inclusive growth.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Economic Development, Urban Planning, or related field.
• A minimum of 4-5 years of experience in economic development, small business support, community development, or related field.
• Experience working with small businesses, entrepreneurs, or in community-based settings.
• Understanding small businesses operations, challenges, and resource needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities:

Community Engagement and Partnership Development

• Build and sustain trusted relationships with diverse business communities and neighborhood stakeholders.
• Represent the organization at community meetings, business association gatherings, and public events.
• Collaborate with partner organizations to coordinate service delivery and avoid duplication of efforts.
• Support advocacy initiatives that advance policies and investments benefiting small businesses.
• Engage with elected officials and civic leaders on economic development priorities.
• Facilitate strategic connections between business owners, organizations, institutions, and other key entities to unlock opportunities and remove barriers.
• Cultivate and maintain strong, trust-based relationships that position the organization as responsive and reliable partner within commercial districts.

Data Collection and Reporting

• Maintain comprehensive records of business interactions and service delivery.
• Conduct business surveys and needs assessments to inform program improvements.
• Track program participation, outcomes, and business health metrics.
• Contribute to performance dashboards and impact reports.
• Support research efforts on business retention and community economic trends.

Cross-Department Collaboration and Strategic Initiatives

• Partner with Business Retention and Growth, the Data Team, and the Real Estate Team to design and execute integrated commercial district strategies.
• Contribute to complex, cross-functional initiatives that align technical assistance, capital programs, real estate interventions, and corridor-level planning.
• Translate on-the-ground business intelligence into actionable insights that inform program design, investment strategy, and district priorities.
• Work closely with the Data Team to develop and scale new tools, resources, and analytical frameworks that expand the reach and effectiveness of services offered to business owners.

Program Implementation and Portfolio

• Support the administration and management of existing grant and incentive programs, including Facade Improvement Grants (FIG) and the Commercial Tenant Improvement Grant (CTIG), ensuring compliance with program guidelines and documentation standards.
• Contribute to Commercial District Analysis (CDA) efforts by supporting and facilitating district-level data collection, business surveys, field assessments, and synthesis of findings to inform corridor strategies.
• Assist with loan intake processes, including initial applicant engagement, documentation review, and coordination with internal lending and underwriting teams.

Technical Assistance Delivery and Program Development

The Senior Economic Development Officer will serve as a primary point of contact for business support within assigned districts, leveraging internal subject-matter experts and external partners to deliver coordinated technical assistance. The role also includes directly providing advising based on professional experience and available tools, while engaging additional expertise as needed.

• Provide one-on-one, culturally competent business advising tailored to diverse entrepreneurs across industries and growth stages.
• Connect business owners to professional service providers, capital sources, and strategic partners.
• Support the development and refinement of technical assistance programs based on data analysis, business outreach, and ongoing needs assessments across commercial districts.
• Assisting business owners with commercial lease review, negotiation, and education on tenant rights.
• Engaging landlords to promote business-friendly leasing practices and documenting predatory concerns.
• Provide business transition support, including:
• Succession planning and exit strategies development
• Facilitating employee ownership conversions/ cooperative models where appropriate
• Connecting retiring owners with advisors and potential successors
• Crisis response and recovery support, including
  • Coordinating rapid response support following emergencies or economic disruptions.
  • Connecting businesses to disaster assistance, recovery financing, and relief partners.
  • Developing resilience strategies that prepare businesses for future disruptions.

We encourage candidates with experience in some, though not necessarily all, of the areas described above to apply.

Skills:

The Senior Economic Development Officer utilizes analytical skills daily to assess economic conditions and forecast trends that influence strategic decisions. Strong communication skills are essential for building partnerships, negotiating agreements, and presenting complex information clearly to stakeholders. Project management skills enable the officer to coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously, ensuring timely and effective execution. Familiarity with data analysis tools and economic modeling supports evidence-based policy development and program evaluation. Additionally, leadership and collaboration skills are critical for fostering teamwork across diverse groups and driving collective action toward shared economic goals.