Director of Business Strategies

Job Description

About the Organization:

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) supports economic growth by fostering business development, infrastructure investment, industry advancement, and consumer confidence. EOED operates through nine state agencies and five quasi-public agencies (QPAs) that deliver essential public programs and services.

EOED supports economic growth across Massachusetts through its network of agencies and partnerships, promoting business innovation, infrastructure investment, and consumer protection. The office embraces a culture of equity, inclusion, and collaboration-values that inform all aspects of its work.

The Executive Office of Economic Development is committed to creating and sustaining a work culture that is welcoming, inclusive, and mutually respectful to all its employees regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran or disability status. We strive to reflect diversity in all facets and levels of our agency. The Executive Office of Economic Development values inclusiveness and diversity within their employee and management teams. Within our community we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

The Executive Office of Economic Development is committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel respected, valued, and empowered to maximize their skills and talents to serve our citizens.

About the Role:

The Director of Business Strategies is a senior management position within the Executive Office of Economic Development and is responsible for leading, developing, and implementing key economic development policies, programs, and strategic initiatives that support statewide business growth and competitiveness. Reporting to the Deputy Undersecretary, the Director exercises substantial independent judgment in shaping policy direction, establishing program priorities, and ensuring effective execution across the Business Strategies portfolio.

This position serves as a key decision-maker for initiatives including international business development talent attraction and retention; building strong workforce pathways to support employer needs; and promoting alternative business structures. The role works closely with the Massachusetts Office of Business Development and the Center for Employee Ownership and plays a central role in aligning policy, fiscal resources, and personnel to advance Secretariat goals. The Director develops and refines policy frameworks, evaluates program effectiveness, and determines when policy or operational changes are necessary to respond to economic conditions, statutory requirements, and executive priorities.

The Director works closely with the Undersecretary, Secretary, EOED agencies, quasi-public partners, and external stakeholders to coordinate cross-Secretariat strategies and implement high-impact economic development initiatives. Through leadership in strategic planning, policy formulation, and program execution, the position directly supports the Commonwealth's mission to promote sustainable economic growth, workforce development, and business expansion across Massachusetts.

Duties and Responsibilities: (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Policy Development, Strategic Planning, and Portfolio Leadership: The Director of Business Strategies exercises independent authority to develop, draft, revise, and finalize business development and economic growth policy frameworks within the Business Strategies portfolio. This includes initiatives related to international business development talent attraction and retention; building strong workforce pathways to support employer needs; promoting alternative business structures; and overseeing work in coordination with the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) and the Center for Employee Ownership. The Director regularly evaluates existing policies for effectiveness and determines when updates, revisions, or new policy approaches are necessary to respond to evolving economic conditions, statutory mandates, and Secretariat priorities. This role establishes goals and objectives for assigned initiatives and ensures alignment with state laws, executive directives, and departmental regulations, without requiring higher-level approval for routine policy determinations.
• Strategic Resource Allocation and Program Oversight: The Director utilizes long-range planning and administrative authority to determine program priorities, sequencing of initiatives, and the deployment of fiscal, personnel, and operational resources across the Business Strategies portfolio. This includes evaluating the availability of funding, staffing capacity, and equipment resources and making decisions regarding their allocation to ensure effective implementation of policy goals mandated by state law and Secretariat objectives. The Director ensures that policies, programs, and budgets are aligned to maximize impact and efficiency.
• Executive Coordination and Policy Implementation: The Director plays a substantive role in all major policy issues affecting the Business Strategies portfolio, including fiscal planning, personnel deployment, and inter-Secretariat coordination, in a capacity that exceeds advisory or informational support. The Director issues departmental notices, guidance, and general operational directives related to program execution and policy implementation. This position independently drives implementation once policy direction is established and ensures consistent execution across EOED agencies and quasi-public partners.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Governance Participation: The Director represents the Business Strategies portfolio in trustee, board, commission, and working group meetings that involve significant policy formulation, including the Center for Employee Ownership Board and cross-Secretariat policy forums. Participation includes shaping policy direction, responding to stakeholder input, and making determinations that influence program design and execution at the agency and Secretariat level.

• Experience or knowledge of economic development initiatives.
• Experience with project management.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Interactive and relationship-building skills with an ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from governmental officials, the general public, consultants and external stakeholders.
• Experience working with various project constituencies, including government agencies, citizen and community groups, private sector business and nonprofit organizations.
• Familiarity and/or knowledge of federal, state or local economic development programs, incentives and policy initiatives as well as governmental regulations regarding land-use.
• Ability to work independently and in a team-based project management environment.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Preferred candidate is enthusiastic, self-directed, creative problem-solver and passionate about community economic development.
• Must have strong computer skills in standard productivity software (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Preferred candidate will have some experience with innovative technology, such as data tracking and CRM systems, economic development tools, GIS, etc.