Chief Operating Office (COO)

About MCEDC The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) drives business growth and economic vitality in Montgomery County, Maryland, by connecting companies in priority industry sectors to the resources they need to grow and succeed, strengthening a competitive business environment, and promoting the county as a leading destination for innovation and investment.

MCEDC is building a next-level, high-performance economic development team driven to deliver bold ideas, foster collaboration, and create lasting impact across the region. Our staff works closely with public and private sector partners to support business growth in Montgomery County’s key industries, leverage data and market insights, and help shape a more competitive, inclusive, and resilient economy.

Position Overview The COO is the CEO’s internal counterpart responsible for turning strategy into execution. While the CEO focuses externally (partnerships, visibility, business development, and thought leadership), the COO leads internal delivery: aligning teams to goals, establishing clear processes and metrics, and holding the organization accountable for results. Financial stewardship is important, but the core mandate is execution, coordination, collaboration, and measurable progress against MCEDC’s strategic plan.

The COO will oversee all facets of MCEDC’s operations – including finance, administration, and economic development initiatives – while ensuring alignment with the CEO’s vision and the organization’s mission. In addition to operational and financial leadership, the COO will play a critical role in shaping and sustaining MCEDC’s organizational culture, ensuring that values of collaboration, innovation, and accountability are embedded throughout the team.

This position is pivotal in shaping MCEDC’s long-term sustainability, fostering partnerships, and building a high-performing team culture.

Key Responsibilities Strategic Execution & Team Alignment

• Translate the CEO’s vision and strategic plan into actionable goals, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
• Establish and maintain organizational OKRs; ensure departmental plans align to enterprise priorities.
• Run the operating rhythm: weekly leadership huddles, monthly operating reviews, quarterly strategy refresh.

Operational Excellence & Process

• Design, document, and implement core processes to drive consistency and clarity across teams.
• Build transparency tools (scorecards, dashboards) so leaders can manage by data.
• Identify bottlenecks early and remove obstacles and institute corrective action plans.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations governing business operations.
• Maintain practical internal controls and risk management practices that support execution.

Business Development Accountability

• Partner with CEO and BD leads to set pipeline targets and stage definitions.
• Create accountability mechanisms (ownership, timelines, follow-through) and weekly BD cadence.
• Report BD performance to CEO/Board; integrate learnings into resource allocation.

Financial Stewardship (Budget-to-Strategy)

• Align annual and multi-year budgets to strategic priorities; ensure resources follow strategy.
• Oversee financial planning, forecasting, and analysis to ensure fiscal health and transparency.
• Maintain transparent financial reporting that informs decision-making.
• Provide strategic recommendations to the CEO and Board on resource allocation and investment priorities.

Stakeholder Coordination & Partnerships

• Build internal coordination protocols for key stakeholders (county/state partners, industry groups, investors, community organizations).
• Ensure timely, consistent, and coordinated engagement to track commitments and outcomes.
• Represent MCEDC at meetings, events, and regional initiatives to advance economic development goals.

Board & Governance Support

• Partner with the CEO on board meeting cadence, materials, and governance best practices.
• Translate board direction into executable plans with clear ownership and timelines.

Culture, Talent, and Leadership Development

• Model inclusive, high-performance leadership; set expectations for collaboration and accountability.
• Coach managers on goal setting, feedback, and performance management.
• Support succession planning and leadership development aligned to strategic needs.

Leadership Competencies

• Operational Execution & Results
• Relationship Building and Influence
• Strategic Systems Thinking
• Build trust; get alignment across functions and partners.
• Data-Driven Decisions
• Clear Communication
• Change Leadership and Innovation

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or CEcD certification preferred.
• 7–10+ years of senior leadership experience with demonstrable responsibility for execution, budgeting, and cross-functional operations.
• Proven track record in economic development, nonprofit management, public agency, or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex operations.
• Track record building systems for accountability, metrics, and collaboration.
• Ability to advise CEOs and Boards on strategic trade-offs and resource allocation.
• Proficiency with budget planning tools, productivity suites, and dashboarding/reporting.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.

Compensation The anticipated annualized salary range is $160,000 - $175,000 for full time employment, along with a robust benefits package that includes medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, group life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, and retirement benefits. A generous paid-time-off program is also available.

TO APPLY: For full consideration, applicants MUST submit the following:

• Letter of interest: Please include a cover letter that highlights your leadership experience and explains how your skills in financial strategy, operational management, and culture-building will help advance MCEDC’s mission and strategic priorities as COO.
• Professional Resume.