General Manager, Economic Development and Tourism

About Our Organization:
When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of 2,000 full and part-time employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, Guelph’s employees bring to life a vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where employees and citizens look after each other and their environment. As a regional top employer, the City of Guelph values its employees and offers competitive salaries, excellent benefit packages, opportunities for professional development, a healthy work-life balance, and many roles with flexible work options. Guelph’s corporate values are integrity, service, inclusion, wellness, and learning. Guelph is consistently ranked as one of the best places in Canada to live, work, and play—all good reasons to consider a career in this beautiful city.

Job Summary:
Reporting to the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise (IDE) Services, the General Manager, Economic Development and Tourism oversees the day-to-day operations of the Economic Development and Tourism divisions including the Guelph Junction Railway. The General Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and implementing activities that serve to support the City’s economic development vision, mission, and strategic economic goals in areas related to small business, urban investment, downtown community development, and business development. Additionally, it is expected that the General Manager will work collaboratively with staff in the Culture division to champion the arts and culture sector, as well as special events. The General Manager will establish and maintain strategic, high-level relationships with key partners among local, regional, and international business clients and partners. Guided by the goals and objectives of the City of Guelph Corporate Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the General Manager will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

**Primary responsibilities**

**Leadership**:

- Recruit, train, and lead staff, establish and monitor performance and development plans, and provide coaching and discipline as required.
- Develop goals and objectives for the area and set action plans to achieve them. Align goals and objectives with the City’s Strategic Plan and the Economic Development & Tourism Strategy as approved by Council.
- Grow relationships with the community and users.

**Department and Financial Management**:

- Develop and monitor capital and operating budgets, track actual performance against budgets, provide financial forecasts, report on variances and mitigating strategies.
- Ensure compliance with collective agreements, City policies, Council resolutions/by-laws and other applicable federal and provincial legislation. Support all legislated inspection and safety programs.
- Recommend and prepare staff reports and presentations for Council and executive teams, as required. Represent the department at Council as required.
- Manage and develop business plans that ensure the sustainability and growth of the Guelph Junction Railway.

**Relationships and Networking**:

- Develop and maintain positive relationships with local, regional, provincial, national, and international investment networks and stakeholders.
- Liaise with local, provincial, and federal government economic development programs to realize economic development benefits for the city.
- Develop working knowledge and intelligence for key industry clusters and leverage relationships with key partners at local, regional, provincial, and federal levels.
- Conduct outreach calls and/or visits to maintain ongoing relationships with prospect generators and other business influencers.
- Connect clients to local, provincial, and federal economic development programs and opportunities.
- Be the point of contact for potential investors interested in coming to Guelph, providing advice to businesses in navigating City processes to promote development.

**Qualifications**
- Extensive experience related to the duties listed above, normally acquired through a degree in business, commerce, urban planning, marketing, economic development, tourism, or a related field.
- Professional membership in one or more of the following: Canadian Institute of Planners, Ontario Professional Planning Institute (or equivalent), Economic Developers Association of Canada, Economic Developers Council of Ontario.
- Considerable experience in destination marketing and promotion. Experience in multiple mediums and digital platforms.
- Experience fostering relationships and partnerships with businesses, a variety of local and regional agencies, City departments and community organizations.
- Leadership skills acquired through previous experience leading and motivating staff.
- Ability to initiate, develop, influence, and maintain collaborative rela