Senior Economic Planner at Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments – Washington, District of Columbia

The Senior Economic Planner supports the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) regional economic program within the Department of Community and Economic Services. The position plays a leading role in advancing regional economic coordination and strategy, including helping develop and update the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), providing staff support to the CEDS Steering Committee, and supporting implementation of regional economic initiatives.

The Senior Economic Planner conducts data, planning, and policy analysis, and prepares data-driven research and reports. As a subject matter expert, the planner advises COG leadership, including the Board of Directors and its committees, on regional economic trends, opportunities, and strategies. The position works closely with COG member jurisdictions, regional partners, and affiliated economic development organizations to support collaborative analysis and initiatives that promote regional economic competitiveness, inclusive prosperity, and regional economic resilience.

This position requires the ability to independently lead programs; analyze and interpret regional economic data and trends, develop actionable plans, manage projects and staff or consultants when assigned, and work closely with the department director. The Planner will be motivated, results-oriented, and committed to advancing COG’s mission, goals and strategic initiatives.

Duties / Responsibilities:

Key subject areas include regional economic development; economic competitiveness and benchmarking; economic policy, data analysis and impact assessment; economic development planning frameworks, inclusive prosperity and economic disparities; economic resiliency and vibrancy; emerging industries, innovation clusters and entrepreneurship; workforce and business retention, attraction and development; economic diversification, and other priority economic issues, risks and opportunities affecting the region. While the Senior Economic Planner is not expected to be an expert in every subject area, the role requires the ability to effectively leverage the expertise of COG members, experts, and partners to advance regional economic initiatives, and to provide strategic coordination and support to COG membership as requested.

Specific responsibilities consist of program management, policy and data analysis, committee tasks and stakeholder coordination, including but not limited to:

Regional Economic Strategy & Coordination

• Support development, updates and implementation of the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), including identifying regional economic goals, priorities, strategies, performance measures, and implementation actions.
• Coordinate regional economic initiatives with related COG programs and committees, including housing, transportation planning, land use, health, climate, energy and environment.
• Advise COG leadership on economic policy, regional economic trends and strategic initiatives.

Economic Research, Data, and Reporting

• Analyze and interpret regional economic data, indicators and trends to support strategic planning and policy development.
• Track data, develop metrics and assist with updates to dashboards, including COG’s Regional Economic Monitoring System (REMS) Report.
• Prepare data-driven analyses, visualizations, technical reports, research papers, and briefings that advance regional understanding of economic opportunities and challenges.
• Research economic development planning and policy landscapes; identify drivers, barriers, catalysts, supportive infrastructure, best practices, emerging trends and innovations; and develop solutions and recommendations to inform regional strategies and decision-making.
• Collaborate with partner organizations on economic, workforce, and demographic research and analysis; support data generation and validation; review and contribute to reports; and communicate findings through public-facing products and interactive platforms.

Committee and Stakeholder Support

• Plan and manage meetings for the CEDS Steering Committee and related committees, including preparing agendas, analysis, materials and briefings; coordinating speakers; facilitating discussions; and documenting meeting summaries and outcomes to support follow-up and implementation.
• Serve as a liaison with regional economic development organization and partners, and support collaboration among COG member jurisdictions and stakeholders; leverage partnerships and foster collaborative solutions.

Project Management and Implementation

• Manage projects, including coordinating technical work, overseeing deliverables, and ensuring projects progress from concept through completion.
• Supervise staff, consultants or grant-supported work when assigned, and coordinate internal and external review processes.

Regional Engagement and Communications

• Plan and organize workshops, meetings and conferences for economic development professionals and policy officials.
• Present analyses and findings to the CEDS Steering Committee, COG Board of Directors, related committees and other stakeholders.
• Communicate complex economic issues clearly to decision-makers, partners and public audiences.
• Coordinate responses to media inquiries and develop consistent regional messaging on economic issues.

Funding and Program Support

• Prepare grant applications and manage grant-funded projects that support regional economic planning initiatives.
• Work with leadership to identify partnership and funding opportunities aligned with regional economic goals and COG strategic priorities.
• Assist with preparation of the economic program’s annual work plan and budget.

Other Responsibilities

• Support special projects, research initiatives, events and outreach activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory responsibilities:

The position will be expected to supervise staff or interns.

Minimum Qualifications / Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree in planning, public policy, economics, public administration or similar field of study and a minimum of six (6) years of working experience OR a master’s degree in any of the above fields and four (4) or more years of experience in economic development-related planning or a related field, preferably working for and/or with local, state and federal economic-focused agencies.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

Core Competencies:

• Planning Knowledge: Knowledge of economic planning principles and practices, and related fields.
• Analytical, Data Interpretation & Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, interpret and visualize data, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to troubleshoot and quickly solve problems to keep projects moving. Ability to evaluate program effectiveness and adjust processes for efficiency.
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to project manage, develop workplans and schedules, track progress and milestones, coordinate project budgets and oversee technical work and deliverables including planning studies, analyses, and reports. Ability to supervise staff or contractors when assigned, and collaborate with internal teams, stakeholders, and external partners to ensure project objectives are met.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong ability to engage with stakeholders, lead group discussions, coordinate regional events. Serves as lead staff for the CEDS Steering Committee and related committees noted above OR later assigned.
• Communications: Excellent research, written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce written products using clear and concise language, facilitate technical meetings and workshops, and effectively present complex data, research and information to senior management, regional stakeholders, public groups and/or boards of directors.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, and work collaboratively within a team, agency staff and officials. Ability to engage effectively and build consensus among diverse audiences, including the business community and the public, and secure cooperation.
• Organizational Skills: Ability to independently manage assigned tasks with limited supervision; manage multiple requests, prioritize deliverables and report status through project management tools.
• Technical and Software Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft 365 suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams); experienced with web conferencing (Webex, Zoom); familiarity with ArcGIS, InDesign, statistical analysis and database software such as Microsoft Access is desirable.