President/Executive Director Position Opening

Overview

The City of Cumberland has historically been a regional hub for economic and commercial activity within Allegany County and the larger Western Maryland region. The City’s economy was largely built upon a manufacturing base that established the City of Cumberland as the second largest city in Maryland. Starting in the second half of the 20th century the city’s economy experienced a fundamental transformation as global economic patterns shifted and caused traditional manufacturing based economies throughout the United States to see their foundations altered.

The City has made great strides to stabilize from the economic decline that marked the past 50 years, but much work is needed in order to establish an economic base that will fill the void created through the transition away from major manufacturing employers. The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is an independent non-profit 501c3 organization working to enable the City to pursue a proactive, comprehensive economic development effort aimed at increasing the local tax base, attracting new employers, and supporting the continued growth of established industries.

President/Executive Director Position Search

Located in the city of Cumberland in Western Maryland, the CEDC is searching for a dynamic and aggressively minded economic development professional to lead our organization through a series of business development, business retention, and community development projects.

Position Description

The President/Executive Director is responsible for the implementation of the CEDC’s strategic plan aimed to create a more sustainable and vibrant economy for the Cumberland region. The plan calls for a focus on increasing employment, private investment, diversifying the tax base, and providing better quality of life opportunities within the City of Cumberland as well as within the Cumberland region. In order to achieve these objectives, the President/Executive Director has three primary areas of responsibility: prospect recruitment, stakeholder coordination, and relationship development.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct implementation and ongoing refinement of the CEDC’s strategic plan
• Maintain strong working relationships with the general public, business clients, and government
• Lead citywide recruitment efforts focused on targeted industry sectors within Cumberland, as well as assist in recruitment efforts throughout the region
• Serve as primary economic development contact for the CEDC with all media outlets, businesses, prospective partners, government, and other organizations
• Prepare grant proposals, applications, contracts, and other necessary documents as may be required
• Represent the CEDC at related meetings, industry trade association events, regional and statewide economic development efforts, and direct outreach
• Build relationships and work on collaborative economic development efforts, including the I-68 Regional Economic Partnership and Allegany County Chamber of Commerce programs, to foster and stimulate regional cooperation
• Work to support a competent organizational structure in order to develop a competitive economic development presence within the local, regional, and state economies
• Oversee staff and their focus on small business development, business retention/expansion, and project management
• Project management and new project creation

Education/Experience

Minimum of 3-5 years experience in economic development or closely related field
Bachelor’s degree required. A Master’s degree and IEDC or OU EDI Course completion preferred.

Compensation

$70,000 – $95,000 salary range based on experience, plus project based incentives

How to Apply

Please email a cover letter, resume’, and references to Jonathan Hutcherson, CEDC Chairman, at [email protected]. Initial responses will be evaluated by April 21, 2017.