Deputy Director of Economic Development

Salary : $109,116.80 - $120,369.60 Annually
Location : Leonardtown, MD
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Economic Development
Opening Date: 10/28/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Job Summary

Assists the Director of the Department of Economic Development in coordinating, directing, and assessing the work of department staff to facilitate the achievement of departmental goals and objectives; works under the general direction of the Department Director with latitude for independent action and judgment and is evaluated on the contribution to the efficiency of the Department and the effectiveness of program goals and objectives; performs other duties as assigned.
The hiring salary for this position is $109,117 - $120,370 annually.
Essential Functions

1. Works under the direction of the Department Director to facilitate the day-to-day management of the Department;
2. Oversees and provides technical management for all operations, activities, and programs within the assigned department;
3. Develops, presents, and defends professional recommendations about various departmental proposals;
4. Enforces policies and procedures governing the administration of various county administered programs;
5. Oversees the operating budgets and staffing requirements; reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations regarding areas of responsibility;
6. Analyzes technical performance reports, correspondence, and contracts;
7. Provides supervision for department staff and direct supervision for mid-level department managers, including staff assignments, performance, and accountability;
8. Increases professional knowledge through attending workshops and conferences, participating in professional associations and activities, and reading professional and local publications;
9. Oversee implementation of Departmental key initiatives, under the direction of the Department Director: Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, business retention and expansion and technology business development initiatives.
10. Acts as liaison to groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, Housing Authority of St. Mary's County and St. Mary's County Community Development Corporation, and coordinates strategic partnerships with public and private stakeholders as directed by the Department Director. Serves as liaison to and manages the boards and commissions assigned to the Department of Economic Development, including the Agriculture, Seafood and Forestry Board and the Economic Development Commission.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Ability to gain advanced knowledge of St. Mary's County Government policies and procedures;
2. Ability to act as a representative of St. Mary's County Government in the absence of the Director, to the public;
3. Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of department operations and services and of administrative management, and the ability to interpret same to staff and the public;
4. Extensive knowledge of governmental fiscal policies, procedures, and legal mandates including the budget process;
5. Extensive knowledge on modern research and investigative techniques and procedures;
6. Extensive knowledge of the laws, statutes, and ordinances of the State of Maryland and St. Mary's County, including knowledge of land use planning, zoning, and development processes as they relate to economic development;
7. General knowledge of Naval installations.
8. Ability to keep the Department Director and all relevant parties informed of all major issues and programs and to recommend changes as appropriate;
9. Ability to supervise, plan, and coordinate the work of diverse staff in order to accomplish departmental goals and objectives;
10. Ability to review, evaluate, and initiate appropriate action on technical and legal reports, contracts, and documents concerning departmental matters;
11. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county officials, associates, subordinates, representatives from other agencies, and the general public;
12. Knowledge of electronic resources, including the Internet and database information retrieval;
13. Ability to operate relevant computer systems, including hardware and software.

Education and Experience

1. Bachelor's degree;
2. Seven years or more of related professional experience, or additional education in a specialized area;
3. Or equivalent technical training, education, and/or experience.

Additional Requirements:

1. Must successfully pass background investigation with favorable results;
2. Must pass a pre-employment drug test.

Physical and Environmental Conditions:
Work requires no unusual demand for physical effort.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls.
Full salary range for this position is $109,117 - $187,928 annually. The full salary range does not reflect the anticipated hiring salary for this position. The anticipated hiring range is $109,117 - $120,370 annually, based on the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plan, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, identity theft protection, sick-leave transfer, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Regular Part-time employees who work an average of 20 or more hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page at the following link: