Manager of Economic Development
Under the general direction of the Chief Administrative Officer, this role is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring and reporting on strategic economic initiatives that are aligned with long-range economic development; business development and expedited services, trade and investment and/or strategic economic initiatives. Promote tourism initiatives for the City and engage in government relations. Undertakes activities and fosters partnerships that support the development of Thorold as location of choice for investment/ trade, enterprise and growth.
Economic Development – Strategy and Planning
Participates in business planning, strategic planning, research initiatives and performance management for specific initiatives in support of economic development.
- Participates in the development of economic development strategies, objectives and long-range plans for a unified economic development attraction program
- Assist in the development of strategic plans by researching facilitating, coordinating, implementing and evaluating major policy and program initiatives which align with long term economic development strategies.
- Monitors and examines market conditions and emerging trends which may impact existing and potential economic development and recommend appropriate action(s).
- Evaluates and reports on the impact of government (all tiers) legislative, policy and program changes. Revises strategies, programs and initiatives accordingly.
Economic Development – Programs / Initiatives and Implementation
Leads a range of programs, services, initiatives and activities including (but not limited to): business outreach, tourism initiatives, local economic development, business improvement area (BIA) management, project facilitation, community economic development social enterprise development, workforce development and special projects.
- Act as a primary contact and expeditor for business attraction.
- Research and target recruitment prospects – generates and manages a portfolio of direct corporate business leads and prospects and maintains record of lead/ generation activities.
- Develop customer reports for potential new or expanding businesses that show what Thorold/Niagara has to offer.
- Collect and provide information necessary to satisfy each prospect’s request for facts and information in the form of standard marketing materials and / or customer reports.
- Solicit development proposals from private development companies
Internal / External Relations
Participates in the development and implementation of region-wide strategies, structures, systems and policies as a member of the Economic Development Team(s), Regional, Local Area Municipalities, Provincial and Federal Ministries.
- Develops and manages relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring divisional strategies are managed and economic development performance expectations are fulfilled
- Collaborates and partners with local area counties and municipalities, industry stakeholders, (e.g. Chambers of Commerce, Industrial Associations and Homebuilder Associations), academic institutions (e.g. Brock University, Niagara College and Niagara District School Boards) and Provincial / Federal governments to develop and support join economic development action plans and initiatives.
- Positions the City within the larger political arena as a strong player, earning credibility and recognition as an influential advocate on the organization’s behalf.
- Encourages cooperation between private enterprise and public agencies to increase their workforce training and placement programs for generation of jobs.
Projects
Initiates and champions special projects for sector specific development, based on current environment, often in partnership with external organizations. Manages all aspects of the development and implementation of economic and business development initiatives, managing project life cycle activities.
- Defines project scope, goals, success criteria and deliverables that support economic development goals in collaboration with project team and key internal / external stakeholders
- Communicates project expectations to team members and stakeholders, liaising on an ongoing basis to manage expectations.
- Plans and schedules project timelines and milestones using appropriate tools.
- Tracks project milestones and deliverables.
Please visit www.thorold.ca for a detailed job desciption.
