Economic Development Officer

**Division**:
Growth Strategy and Economic Development

**Job Summary**:
Reporting to the Associate Director, Economic Development, the Economic Development Officer (EDO) is responsible for implementing, monitoring and reporting on economic initiatives in support of the various economic development sectors; Strategic Marketing and Strategic Economic Initiatives. Ongoing provision of economic development support to Local Area Municipalities as identified in the shared economic development plan(s). Undertakes activities and supports partnerships that enhance the development of Niagara as a location of choice for investment/trade, enterprise and growth.

**Education**:

- Post-secondary degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Economics, Economic Development, and Marketing, Public Administration or equivalent related field of study. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

**Knowledge**:

- Minimum of 3 years of progressive experience implementing economic/business development activities; branding, marketing and sales; and supporting partnerships among business, academic and government/agency partners.
- Municipal sector experience is considered an asset.
- Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of community planning, land use/growth management concepts, infrastructure improvement planning.
- Experience working with Federal/Provincial legislation, policy and programs related to business development, enterprise, innovation and growth.
- Understanding of Municipal government organization and functions.
- One of the following qualifications (or equivalent) is preferred: Certified Economic Developer (Ec.D.) from the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC), or Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council.

**Responsibilities**:
**_ Delivers services to Local Area Municipalities in economic development, encompassing business attraction, innovation, entrepreneurship, advocacy, business expeditor activities and new enterprise development. (35% of time)_**:

- Builds and maintains shared service consulting relationships.
- Participates in the development and implementation of strategies, projects and initiatives for shared service partners (Local Area Municipalities - LAM’s).
- Develops and manages relationships with shared service partners, ensuring strategies, projects and initiatives are executed and economic development performance expectations are fulfilled.
- Provides service to the development community regarding navigating the permitting process in cooperation with the shared services partners.
- Collaborates with shared service partners to assist private enterprise and community agencies to resolve community needs that have direct bearing on investment attraction.
- Collaborates and partners with shared service partners, industry stakeholders (7 Chambers of Commerce, local Business Improvement Areas, Destination Marketing Organizations, Niagara Industrial Association and the Homebuilders Association, etc. as required), academic institutions (Brock University, Niagara College and Niagara District School Boards) and Provincial/Federal governments to support economic development initiatives.
- Provides advice and guidance to shared service partners on strategies and initiatives as required.
- Participates in several external and industry committees representing the needs of the shared service partners and advancing common goals and objectives.
- Interacts on a regular basis with shared service partners concerning land use amendments and infrastructure plans.
- Provides support to shared service partners in responding to and resolving sensitive inquiries, complaints and issues from both internal and external sources.
- Administers funding to shared service partners to support local economic initiatives (Local Area Municipality Funding) - LAM Fund.

**_ Supports and implements a range of services, initiatives and activities in support of sector development. (30% of time)_**:

- Business outreach, local economic development, project facilitation, community economic development social enterprise development, workforce development and special projects.
- Evaluates programs which would couple the immediately available resources of the area with potential business and industrial development.
- Researches and prepares Provincial and Federal funding submissions.
- Makes presentations before citizens’ and advisory groups/committees.
- Provides support to the tourism and agribusiness sectors in Niagara which includes representation on industry membership groups (i.e. Ontario Tourism Education Corporation, Ontario/Niagara Federation of Agriculture, Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance, etc. as required), developing programing and strategies from a regional perspective for both sectors, partnering on projects and monitoring sector statistics.

**_ Participates in business planning, strategic planning, research initia