Manager, Business Development & Outreach

The Manager, Business Development & Outreach plays a key role in advancing Harris County’s goals through the Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity (DEEO). In this hybrid position based in Houston, TX, you will develop and manage strategic programs, partnerships, outreach, and educational initiatives that connect businesses and community stakeholders with DEEO resources and support.

Reporting to the Assistant Director Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, this full-time, regular role supports business development and stakeholder engagement while strengthening workforce and community outcomes.

What you’ll do

• Plan, execute, manage, and track DEEO’s current and future capacity-building programs, and represent DEEO on partner-led programs and initiatives.
• Plan, execute, manage, and track DEEO outreach across the local area, including events that connect businesses to opportunities, and represent DEEO at external meetings, events, and conferences.
• Track customer requests for assistance and provide customized business development support, including guidance on navigating the County’s procurement process and contracting opportunities.
• Refer clients to appropriate educational and business development services and networking opportunities, including County procurement staff.
• Produce, manage, and track presentations, outreach and training materials, talking points, social media and website content that help contractors meet program requirements and build capacity to compete for County contracts.
• Plan, manage, and oversee Mentor-Protégé programs and initiatives, including participant recruitment and matching, implementation, coordination with County departments and external partners, monitoring engagement and progress, and tracking program outcomes to support growth and increased readiness for County contracting.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of DEEO divisions, programs, services, initiatives, and resources to represent the Department, respond to stakeholder needs, identify cross-divisional opportunities, and connect businesses and community partners with the right services.

Required education and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Public Relations, or a related field, plus at least 3 years of experience in supplier diversity, procurement, compliance monitoring, or a related role, with a focus on capacity-building programs, stakeholder engagement, and outreach.
• OR minimum 7 years of experience in supplier diversity, procurement, compliance monitoring, or a related role, with a focus on capacity-building programs, stakeholder engagement, and outreach, plus a High School Diploma.

Key qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to produce content accessible to a broad range of educational backgrounds and reading levels.
• Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information in accordance with applicable policy and law.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, take direction from management, and keep management informed of important developments.
• Ability to identify problem areas and develop solutions or corrective measures as part of continuous program improvement and for ad hoc situations.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), including calendaring and Teams, Zoom, Adobe InDesign, and project management software.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, facilitation, diplomacy, and negotiation skills.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with a diverse group of people.
• Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented in the job application; "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferred

• Experience in compliance monitoring or other work experience in a highly regulated field.
• Fluent Spanish or other language skills strongly preferred, with cultural competence required.
• Stakeholder management experience across internal departments, third-party consultants, the business community, related business associations, labor unions, and other community stakeholders.
• Experience or familiarity with Houston’s business community.
• Advanced proficiency in quickly achieving expertise with tools including calendaring and Teams, Zoom, Adobe InDesign, Canva, B2G Now, and Monday.com.

Work schedule and environment

• Full-Time | Regular
• Monday–Friday, subject to early morning, evening, and weekend demands.
• Requires the ability to work outside the standard 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM schedule to attend events, with some weekend work.
• Hybrid work options are available, providing flexibility between remote and in-office work.
• Professional office environment; routine use of standard office equipment (computers, phones, photocopiers).
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Local travel for site visits and stakeholder engagement may be required.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave
• Sick Leave
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule
• METRO RideSponsor Program

Additional employment information

• Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
• Due to a high volume of applications, positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
• This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.