ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

• Job ID: 50027
• Job Category: Economic Development, Arts & Culture
• Division & Section: Economic Development & Culture, EDC Business Growth Services
• Work Location: City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Temporary (12-month) Vacancy
• Salary: $93,734.00 - $123,449.00, Wage Grade 6.5
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Number of Positions Open: 1
• Posting Period: 04-Oct-2024 to 18-Oct-2024

Job Description 

The Economic Development Officer will primarily support small businesses and main street activation through programming, coordination, and partnership via key initiatives such as public markets and CaféTO. This position will be required to lead an interdivisional working group consisting of various City divisions to identify and address challenges for public market operators, vendors, and patrons. Key to this work will be drawing on the expertise of City of Toronto staff across the corporation to review and collect key learnings to develop the Public Markets Action Plan to present to Toronto City Council in 2025. Some assistance will be directed to funding programs that support main street businesses and local economic resiliency. This position reports to the Manager, Main Street Initiatives in Business Growth Services. 

Major Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements detailed plans and recommends policies regarding program specific requirements.
• Delivers assigned projects and programs, ensuring effective teamwork and communication, high standards of work quality and a commitment to organizational performance and continuous learning.
• Conducts research into assigned area ensuring that such research takes into account developments within the field, corporate policies and practices, legislation and initiatives by other levels of government.
• Ensures that the project expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.

• Provides project management and strategic advice for projects and activities. Coordinates inter-divisional programs, including program development, resource allocation, monitoring service standards and delivery levels.
• Advises companies currently located outside the City (and sometimes the country) on the advantages of Canada generally, and Toronto specifically. Includes providing advice on the Canadian and Ontario regulatory environment, as well as potential business locations.
• Advises companies on investment and expansion proposals (e.g. permits, planning regulations, and other approvals) and site relocation issues and opportunities including special projects involving land development, negotiations, and property acquisitions.
• Advises external clients (realtors, developers, and businesses) and internal clients (Councillors, other Economic Development divisions and City departments) on economic profiles, industry trends, and business activities and business investment opportunities in the City of Toronto.
• Researches and reports on a range of new projects and initiatives as they arise, including writing and preparing reports to City Council and Standing Committees
• Facilitates business expansion by acting as liaison between business owners and their development consultants and City Development Review staff to explain the City's development requirements and practices (i.e. Development Charges, Development Review procedures, Building Permit processes).
• Recommends policies to assist in the retention of the City's existing business tax base by identifying issues under the City's influence and control which, if not resolved, might result in business migration to nearby municipalities. These include a wide range of concerns, and issues such as taxes and assessment, traffic, property standards, parking and access, and City licenses.
• Encourages the expansion of the City's tax base by targeting those businesses most likely to expand (and thereby need a new location) in the near future and demonstrating the advantages of a Toronto location.
• Builds relationships through corporate calls and a contact network to monitor the business climate and continuously improve service delivery.
• Plans and co-ordinates promotional and prospecting events, including lead generation and management at international, national and local trade shows.
• Reviews, influences and provides comments on city wide policies, re-zonings, variances, site plan applications, and official plan amendments relating to their economic impact.
• Prepares reports for senior management making recommendations on changes in operational processes
• Liaises with City departments, government agencies, developers, banks, utilities, and other agencies to facilitate and expedite development and business expansion by resolving a wide range of municipal issues.
• Represents the Division at Community Council, City standing committees, boards and agencies.
• Prepares and delivers presentations to stakeholder groups (business groups, foreign delegations, public, and other levels of government).

Key Qualifications

1. Post-secondary education in a relevant discipline related to the job function or the equivalent combination of education and experience. An Ec.D. Designation and/or  Certified Economic Developer or CEcD will be considered an asset.
2. Considerable experience in economic development and / or Business Improvement Areas (BIA’s) and / or not-for-profits and community organizations including developing and implementing plans and recommending policies.
3. Considerable experience in community economic development, community advocacy, infrastructure, capacity building, stakeholder management, program development and/or in fostering collaborations, coalitions, and inter-sectoral linkages with individuals and/or organizations.
4. Considerable experience advising internal and external clients and various stakeholders.
5. Experience interpreting and applying municipal governance policies, issues, all relevant legislation, municipal programs, and services.
6. Experience in the food sector, the restaurant sector and/or local markets thorough knowledge of issues and trends, including relevant legislation, standards and policies affecting economic growth and competition in Toronto.
7. Experience in the design, facilitation, and delivery of stakeholder engagement initiatives (such as events, workshops, and webinars) and in leading community engagement with various stakeholders.
8. Experience leading consultations and gathering feedback to support continuous learning. 
9. Experience with community grants and the various stages of the grant management process.
10. Highly developed research, analytical, conflict-resolution and problem-solving skills. Ability to conceptualize information, develop options and recommend solutions to support decision-making.
11. Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in dealing with politically sensitive and confidential matters as it relates to senior business executives, Council and other senior staff.
12. Ability to negotiate persuasively and effectively and forge solid internal and external relationships.
13. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with staff at all levels of the organization, external clients and other levels of government.
14. Ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure and produce effective results under tight timelines, and adjust work priorities in response to competing demands.
15. Ability to ensure project expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
16. In-depth technical knowledge of relevant legislation affecting economic growth and competition in Toronto and proficiency in business administration, research, marketing, customer service and policy development.
17. Possession of a valid Ontario Class "G" Driver's License and access to a vehicle for field work, would be an asset.

All interested candidates are invited to attend a virtual information session on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 12:00 PM Noon, where they will have an opportunity to learn more about the Economic Development & Culture Division, the role and responsibilities of the Economic Development Officer position. Click here to join the session: Virtual Information Session: Economic Development Officer 50027 
 

Note To Current City of Toronto Employees

City of Toronto employees are eligible to apply for the posted job opportunity, but cannot hold two different jobs. To be considered for this job posting, you must indicate that you are a "Current City of Toronto employee" on the on-line application form, and provide your "Employee Number".

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.