Director, Policy & Research - Greater Baltimore Committee

The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) is the leading voice for the private sector in the Baltimore region, providing insightful economic and civic leadership to drive collective impact. Composed of more than 400 organizations, including large, mid-size, and small companies, nonprofits, foundations, and educational and healthcare institutions, the GBC is dedicated to fostering the prosperity of the Baltimore Region. 

In 2022, the GBC merged with the Economic Alliance, hiring new leadership after more than two decades. In May 2023, the GBC announced a multi-year agenda to position the organization to:

• Create and lead an economic path for the Greater Baltimore region.
• Aggressively pursue game-changing opportunities.
• Collaborate to transform the region’s transportation, infrastructure, and public safety challenges.
• Foster a more equitable region.

The GBC announced 12 initiatives for 2024 - 2026:

Economic Opportunity

• Develop a ten-year economic opportunity plan to build consensus for the region’s economic future.
• Develop the Greater Baltimore brand to amplify our dynamic regional assets and civic progress.
• Partner with economic, community, and development leaders to ensure strategic investments in the region are successful.
• Pursue game-changing opportunities and federal funding to advance equitable growth.
• Partner with the public sector to support local, domestic, and foreign direct investment and expansion in the region.

Transportation and Infrastructure

• Advance Baltimore’s Transit Future Campaign.
• Advance major infrastructure investments in the region to better connect our communities and accelerate long-term opportunity.

Collective Impact. GBC partners and members will collaborate to…

• Reduce gun violence.
• Support Baltimore police officer retention and recruitment.
• Tackle the vacancy issue in Baltimore City and support neighborhood redevelopment.
• Support local hiring and procurement.
• Increase entrepreneurship and the ease of doing business in the region.

ORGANIZATION

The GBC’s staff structure includes five teams, with staff leads who report directly to the CEO.

Operations:

• Fiscal, operational, and HR leadership for organization.
• Support CEO, Board to establish corporate governance and execution of mission.

Policy and Research:

• Shape and publish public policy, data-driven research, and bold strategies to support the region’s vitality and economic growth.
• Proactively engage with elected officials, partners, and stakeholders to advance GBC’s agenda.

Communications:

• Shape GBC’s message and communications strategy. Grow and modernize our audience, improving how we interact with members, stakeholders, and amplify civic progress in Baltimore.
• Execute the regional marketing and balance perspective on the Baltimore Region as a place to invest and expand.
• Manage and solidify support for GBC’s events and engagement.

Partnerships

• Develop and establish GBC’s new membership and engagement model. 
• Develop and orient GBC’s committee and member collaborations toward high-value impact.
• Establish and manage partnerships with local, state, and national peers to advance the Greater Baltimore region.

Business & Economic Investment

• Support the Baltimore Region's federal tech hub designation and the regional innovation office. 
• Lead regional business retention, expansion, and retention efforts. 
• Work with public and private partners to support investment in regionally significant activity centers and projects. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Greater Baltimore Committee seeks a dynamic Director to support the organization’s work to advance economic opportunity in the Baltimore Region.  As part of the Policy and Research team, the Director (a) works with GBC staff, partners, and other regional stakeholders to develop process and project plans for implementing All In|2035, GBC’s ten-year plan for the Baltimore Region, (b) undertakes and communicates research and analysis related to key areas of the plan (e.g., business expansion and retention, regional investment, talent development), (c) explores local, state, and federal policy issues and opportunities, and (d) engages with partners, policymakers, and other regional stakeholders.   

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist in the design and implementation of strategies outlined in All In|2035:

• Work with GBC team, partners, local economic development and community leaders, and other regional stakeholders to design multi-year strategies aimed at meeting All In|2035 goals, particularly in the areas of economic development and talent development;  
• Work with GBC team to engage partners, local economic development and community leaders, and other regional stakeholders around strategy implementation via steering committees, working groups, and general relationship building; 
• Work with GBC team to align GBC research, policy, and program development to support strategy implementation. 

Conduct research and policy analysis:

• Stay up-to-date on the latest economic, industry, social, real estate, and land use trends, policies, and best practices globally, nationally, and within the Baltimore Region;
• Produce dashboards, briefs, newsletters, and other materials to inform GBC partners, site selectors, businesses, and potential investors regarding the Baltimore Region’s economic, industry, workforce, demographic, and other key trends and opportunities; 
• Expand and maintain GBC’s Investment Scorecard, which quantifies the region’s local, domestic, and international investment activity to provide a deeper look into the impact of global business trends on the region's future economic growth;
• Help create and maintain metrics to monitor progress on All In|2035 strategy implementation;
• Conduct objective research, analysis, and evaluation of local, regional, and state economic development policies. 

Engage with GBC partners, local economic development and community leaders, and policy makers: 

• Build and maintain working relationships with GBC partners, local economic development and community leaders, and policy makers on economic development and related issues;
• Represent the GBC by serving on various committees, task forces, commissions, and working groups regarding economic development and talent development;
• Track and represent GBC in support of federal, state, and local policies that align with All In|2035 goals and GBC initiatives

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Geography, Urban Planning, Public Policy or related field. Master’s degree strongly preferred;
• 8-10 years of progressive experience in the economic development and/or metropolitan policy and planning field; 
• Expertise in research, data analysis, and related software tools;
• High level understanding of federal, state, and local policy related to economic development and planning; 
• Experience managing diverse stakeholder groups to consensus and defined outcomes;
• Experience serving as an organizational representative on policy and community committees;
• Superb writing, presentation, and interpersonal communications skills; 
• Excellent project management skills, including strong time management, planning, and working with other teams internal and external to the organization;
• Creative ability to develop and recommend new ideas and strategies that can improve the outcomes and execution of new programming;
• Experience working in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Attributes:

• Strategic Thinker: Capable of envisioning strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Analytical Mindset: Highly proficient in analyzing data to drive strategy development.
• Collaborator: Adept at fostering teamwork, consensus-building, and a positive work culture.
• Adaptable and Innovative: Comfortable navigating changing environments and implementing innovative solutions.
• Ethical and Compliant: Upholds high ethical standards and ensures compliance with regulations.

Benefits

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Supportive and mission-driven work.
• Opportunities for professional development and leadership.