Summary
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.
Essential Job Functions
- 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.
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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.
Additional Information
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
Charles County Government
BENEFITS SUMMARY
www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/CharlesCountyMD
Health Insurance
Charles County Government PAYS 70% of cost: Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage. CareFirst and Delta for dental coverage.
Flexible Spending Account
Provides medical and dependent care options.
Supplemental Income Products
Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy.
Long Term Disability Insurance
No charge to employee. The benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month.
Life Insurance
No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000). Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost. Term and whole life policies available.
Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan) 401(a) Plan — Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory.
Deferred Compensation Plan
457(b) Governmental Plan — Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.
Employee Leave
- Charles County Government full-time employees earn annual, sick, and paid time off (PTO).
- The County currently recognizes 20 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
- Away from work programs like paid parental leave and FMLA are available to employees.
Transfer of Sick Leave
New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment.
Work Schedules
- Most work weeks are 37.5 hrs, and some positions may offer the opportunity for flexible work schedules or allow telework.
Additional Fringe Benefits
- Tuition Reimbursement for full-time employees upon completion of probation period
- Discounted, Onsite Childcare at a County Government facility.
- House Keys 4 Employee Program offers assistance to full-time employees who are first-time homebuyers.
- Free, Employee Wellness Programs
- Legal Resources (prepaid benefit)
- Pet Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (free, short-term counseling)
Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30 hours or more per week unless otherwise noted. Effective: March 1, 2026
