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Job Description
JOB POSITION CLASS DESCRIPTION/SUMMARY
Sr. Manager of Operations at the Maryland Innovation Center (MIC) will drive operational excellence to further the growth and success of the MIC as a premier innovation hub in Maryland. Located in Howard County, the MIC supports entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses by fostering innovation, collaboration, and commercialization. Reporting to, and in close collaboration with the Managing Director of the Maryland Innovation Center, this role will have fiduciary and KPI responsibilities.
ORGANIZATION SUMMARY
The Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) is Howard County's official economic development organization. The Maryland Innovation Center (MIC), a business unit of HCEDA, supports startups, entrepreneurs, and growth-stage companies through workspace, programming, mentorship, and community connections. The MIC team includes Member Experience, Events & Programming, and Facilities functions. The Sr. Manager of Operations oversees the daily operations of these functions, ensuring operational excellence, a strong member experience, and alignment with HCEDA's strategic goals.
OVERSEES
Member Experience, Facilities Operations, and Administrative Functions.
WORKS CLOSELY WITH
MIC Programming Team, MIC Member Companies, Howard County Department of General Services, Howard County Security, the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) Director of Data and Research, HCEDA Head of Business Development; and HCEDA Controller.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Senior Manager of Operations will oversee all operations and processes within the team and across partner departments in alignment with the mission and objectives of the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA). Foster a culture of collaboration and consistency within the team and with MIC Members.
OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Oversee the member company pipeline from prospect engagement through onboarding, growth, office transitions, graduation, and retention, ensuring alignment with capacity, member needs, and HCEDA strategic growth objectives. Develop and optimize operational systems, workflows, and internal processes to improve efficiency, consistency, and member experience. Serve as a cross-functional operational liaison between
MIC, HCEDA
departments, vendors, and external stakeholders. Oversee vendor relationships, service agreements, and operational contracts. Ensure operational compliance with applicable county, facility, and organizational policies.
MEMBER AND COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE
Oversee the end-to-end member experience, including onboarding, renewals, office transitions, and community engagement touchpoints. Support the operational execution of events, mentorship programs, educational workshops, and ecosystem initiatives. Help foster a collaborative, professional, and innovation-focused environment for entrepreneurs and stakeholders.
DATA, REPORTING, AND FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT
Track, analyze, and report operational KPIs related to occupancy, retention, programming, engagement, and financial performance. Assist in budget forecasting, expense management, and operational planning. Maintain operational systems and reporting tools to support data-driven decision-making.
FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Coordinate building operations, facilities management, safety procedures, and maintenance requests in partnership with Howard County departments and vendors. Support the operational scalability of coworking, office, conference, and event spaces.
DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS
Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for fostering innovation and economic growth. Highly organized and operationally minded with strong attention to detail and follow-through. Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to work across diverse personalities, teams, and stakeholder groups. Ability to thrive in fast-paced, evolving environments while balancing competing priorities. Systems thinker with a process improvement mentality. Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities. Service-oriented mindset with a focus on delivering an exceptional member and stakeholder experience. Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
