Chief Executive Officer

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Chief Executive Officer

At West Baltimore County Redevelopment Authority, we are just getting started! We are a new "instrumentality of the county" working in the West Baltimore County corridor and we are looking for our FIRST Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to help our neighborhoods thrive by attracting and retaining businesses - and ensuring that our investments grow to revitalize our community. WBCRA began in 2024, and we are ready to roll our sleeves up and get to work!

The Board of Directors is searching for our FIRST new CEO to provide leadership, vision, and direction to support the growth and development of WBCRA. The Chief Executive Officer leads WBCRA's development projects, programs, services, and outreach and ensures smooth and efficient operations. This is a hands-on, start-up position and the CEO will represent WBCRA to the public, lead strategic planning and organizational development, and build partner and community relationships.

The CEO will lead initiatives around economic development, real estate growth, stakeholder partnerships (commercial, government, civic), government relations, and board development - all designed to achieve meaningful, measurable, and systematic improvement to attract and retain businesses to live and work in the West Baltimore County area. The CEO is appointed by the Board of Directors and ensures that WBCRA is run with integrity and transparency.

The CEO serves as the chief executive of the West Baltimore County Redevelopment Authority (WBCRA), responsible for leading strategic planning, program management, financial oversight, and stakeholder engagement. The CEO drives WBCRA’s mission to foster sustainable economic development, infrastructure improvement, and community revitalization within the designated area.

If you are a dynamic, innovative, strategic, entrepreneurial, hands-on, and forward-thinking leader with a passion for the POSSIBILITIES for West Baltimore County, we invite you to keep reading to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

Successful candidates for the position will need to demonstrate the following:

• Experience and ability to stand up a new organization dedicated to community and economic development.
• Experience and ability to forge and maintain strategic partnerships with West Baltimore County leaders and agencies, corporate and anchor institutions, community stakeholders, and civic leaders around our key program areas.
• Deep understanding of project finance tools (e.g., bonds, tax increment financing, tax credits, grants, P3 models). 
• Experience and understanding of the dynamics of West Baltimore County community relationships.
• Ability to articulate the vision for WBCRA and create strategies to achieve this vision.
• Superb communication skills.
• Commitment to a collaborative and team approach to work.
• Innovative economic development approaches to WBCRA's mission and programs, with financial sustainability in mind.
• Commitment to building programs and a sustainable organizational model that positively impact the West Baltimore County area in Maryland.
• Distinguished and appropriate credentials and experience in real estate development, economic development, strategic communications, and government agency relations.

Does this sound like you? Please keep reading and apply today!

Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following areas:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement strategic plans, policies, and programs aligned with WBCRA’s goals.
• Advise the Board of Directors on best practices, market trends, and opportunities for growth.
• Regularly provide reports, communication, and engagement to the Baltimore County Administration to ensure goal and strategy alignment.

Project Development and Management:

• Oversee planning, financing, and execution of development projects (e.g., infrastructure, public facilities, mixed-use developments).
• Manage consultants, contractors, and project teams to ensure timely and budget-conscious project delivery.
• Develop and drive strategic plans, programs, and projects that deliver measurable results.

Financial Management:

• Prepare and manage the annual budget in coordination with the Board.
• Identify and secure funding sources, including bonds, grants, and private investment.
• Oversee financial reporting, audits, and compliance with applicable regulations.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Foster strong relationships with residents, businesses, developers, public officials, and partner organizations.
• Serve as the public face of the WBCRA, attending meetings, public hearings, and community events.

WBCRA Administration:

• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements governing WBCRA operations.
• Prepare and present reports, proposals, and updates to the Board.
• Hire, supervise, and develop WBCRA staff.

Marketing, Community, and Public Relations:

• Serve as the chief spokesperson for WBCRA and represent WBCRA at relevant events and meetings.
• Lead the marketing strategies and implementation to promote WBCRA economic development to stakeholders/partners.
• Develop innovative partnerships and projects that support the mission of WBCRA.
• Assure that WBCRA and its mission, programs, and services are consistently presenting a strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders, including leaders in our network, government, business, civic groups, the community, and the media.
• Lead WBCRA programs and initiatives to engage businesses, residents, and prospective residents for West Baltimore County.

Advocacy and Government Relations:

• Represent the organization to elected officials and advocates for mission-aligned programs and priorities.
• Collaborate with state and local governmental, community, educational, and nonprofit organizations on areas of mutual interest.
• Work closely with and meet elected officials and others to advance residential growth in West Baltimore County.
• Meet and deal with the public in a tactful and diplomatic manner, provide transparency, communicate effectively, and objectively evaluate problems and recommend appropriate action.
• Act as liaison to county, city, and stakeholder institutions.

Board Leadership and Support:

• Convene Board and Executive Committee and develop draft agendas and briefing materials for members.
• In cooperation with the Board, ensure effective financial management, reporting, and compliance of the organization, and prepare and oversee the annual budget.
• Engage with current board members and recruit additional board members, in compliance with board by-laws.
• Guide strategic planning with the Board, staff, and stakeholders and oversee effective design, implementation, and evaluation of programs and initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Business Administration, Finance, Real Estate, Law, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 7+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in economic development, real estate development, public administration, or a related field.
• Proven experience managing complex projects and budgets.
• Strong knowledge of public financing tools (e.g., TIF, bonds, grants, tax credits) and economic development strategies.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to think strategically and execute tactically.
• Familiarity with land use planning, zoning regulations, and local government operations is preferred.
• Knowledge of the West Baltimore County catchment area and footprint.
• RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Candidates MUST be a resident of Maryland (with strong preference to the Greater Baltimore County region) to be considered for employment. There is NO relocation assistance provided for this position.

Compensation:

The planned starting salary for this position is $180,000.00.

About WBCRA :
Per Council Bill 4-23, WBCRA will have the power to make recommendations to the County to acquire, develop, redevelop or dispose of certain land or property in west Baltimore County, which is defined as the geographic area between Liberty Road, Baltimore National Pike, Rolling Road, and the City/County boundary. View a map of the WBCRA area.

TO APPLY:
The Search Committee will begin a confidential review of applications immediately and will continue its work until an appointment of a CEO is made (with a desired start date in December 2025 or early January 2026). For full consideration, applicants must submit the following:

• Letter of interest: Please address how you can lead WBCRA as the inaugural start-up CEO in achieving its mission and strategic initiatives. This letter must be included in your candidacy materials. We take your letter very seriously and consider this an essential part of your candidacy materials.
• Professional Resume , reflecting qualifications for this position.

Please click “APPLY” to submit this information. For additional information about WBCRA, please consult West Baltimore County Redevelopment Authority .

WBCRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Applicants of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.