MANAGER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (Trade & Investment)

Job ID: 62318
Job Category: Economic Development, Arts & Culture
Division & Section: Economic Development & Culture, Economic Development (Trade & Investment)
Work Location: Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Toronto, ON, M5V 3C6.
Job Type & Duration: Permanent, Full-time Vacancy
Salary Range: $123,833.00 - $170,184.00, TM2152, Wage Grade 8.0

Ideal Hiring Zone: $138,040.00 - $149,664.00
Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
Affiliation: Non-Union
Number of Positions Open: 1
Posting Period: D19-Feb-2026 to 05-Mar-2026

Job Summary:

Toronto is one of the world’s most diverse, innovative, and connected cities - a place where ideas, talent, and opportunity converge to create a dynamic environment for growth. As a global economic hub, our city benefits from strong international relationships, attracting investment that fuels innovation, supports emerging industries, and creates pathways for local businesses to thrive in markets around the world. With a vibrant ecosystem spanning technology, life sciences, creative industries, and advanced manufacturing, Toronto stands out as a city that turns ambition into tangible economic impact.

The Manager, (Trade & Investment) will play a pivotal role in advancing this mission. This position is responsible for advancing Toronto’s Trade Diversification Initiative -#TradeTO, fostering high-impact partnerships, and positioning the city as a premier destination for investors, entrepreneurs, and global trade partners. A core part of the role will involve enhancing Toronto’s export capacity -helping local companies identify new opportunities, expand their international sales, and raise the profile of Toronto-made products, services, and innovations on the world stage.

This is a leadership opportunity for a strategic, results-oriented professional who can navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving global economy. The successful candidate will act as a champion for Toronto’s strengths, leveraging the city’s diversity, innovation, and connectivity to drive measurable outcomes. By supporting Toronto businesses export, enabling trade, and supporting local business growth, this role directly contributes to creating high-quality jobs, stimulating economic growth, and ensuring long-term prosperity for communities across Toronto.

Major Responsibilities:

Develops and implements detailed plans and recommends policies regarding program specific requirements. Develops unit's goals and objectives that align with the overall strategic planning of the Section and Division.
Manages, motivates and trains the unit's staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, and continuous learning; and encourages innovation in others.
Manages the day-to-day operation of all assigned staff including the scheduling, assigning and reviewing of work. Authorizes and controls vacation and overtime requests. Monitors and evaluates staff
performance, approves salary increments and recommends disciplinary action when necessary. Develops, recommends and administers the annual budget for the unit, and ensures that the unit's expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
Cultivates a culture of continuous improvement within the Unit, evaluating program delivery on an ongoing basis in consultation with staff, senior management, service users and partners, and implementing and managing change to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
Improves the operating performance of contracted and other service partners by providing professional advice, conflict resolution, administrative support, issue management, and leadership.
Ensures excellent customer service is provided to both internal and external customers. Ensures that programs and services offered to clients are current and relevant, by conducting periodic reviews of program goals and objectives, operating procedures and annual budgets.
Develops and manages requests for proposals in accordance with the City's policies and procedures and manages evaluation and selection processes and contracts with suppliers.
Supports revenue-generating programs (e.g. grants, sponsorship, fees), where applicable, to achieve budget goals within City guidelines.
Participates collaboratively with management in the division and other divisions in advancing relevant Divisional and Corporate strategies. Provides leadership and advice to senior management on economic development issues, equity and inclusion, and operations.
Manages client services to the Toronto business community, such as provision of information and advice, site selection and related business retention and expansion support and sector development assistance. Represents the Division and builds positive relationships with Councillors and senior staff from the City and external organizations to facilitate the development of partnerships, leverage resources, and build support for the unit's mandate and programs.
Acts as an advocate on business competitiveness issues, opportunities and challenges with other City divisions and City Council.
Engages and consults with City divisions, programs, agencies, and boards on priorities, policies and service delivery impacting business development, retention, expansion and competitiveness.
Manages the development and administration of programs, services, and grants designed to enhance the vibrancy and economic well-being of commercial areas and sectors.
Develops and implements detailed project plans and links with appropriate external partners and management regarding program specific requirements, ensuring program support for the project. Defines resources required for project implementation and service delivery and works with senior management and partners to source and secure requirements.
Develops programs and supports initiatives to meet Council objectives for economic opportunity and social inclusion. Works collaboratively with various partnerships. .
Manages the facilitation of new business improvement areas, incubators or business association development by providing advice and guidance, facilitating information meetings, ensuring proper notification, reporting on feasibility, and (where applicable) coordinating statutory polling and by-law preparation.
Negotiates and enters into funding partnerships with the private sector and other orders of government. Provides leadership to the Economic Development Division by providing advice to Senior Management on economic development issues, inclusivity and equity, and operations.
Represents the division at Community Councils, Standing Committees, and City Council, and at adjudicative bodies, on specific projects, policy issues and administrative issues relating to business growth services.
Manages, supports, and represents the division on inter-divisional and inter-agency working groups, committees and projects. Works with various stakeholders to develop City policy on matters related to the economic competitiveness of the City and provides an economic development perspective and comments to other City divisions on their policy and program development activities.
Builds effective relationships with other orders of governments to encourage support for the competitiveness and inclusiveness of local businesses and represents the division on intergovernmental teams. Serves on the Boards of Directors of non-profit agencies and non-governmental organizations as the City's representative.
Represents the City on major trade and investment projects, proposals and negotiations involving senior management of private sector corporations and other levels of government.
Monitors and reports on program results, the economic state of areas and sectors, and the regional / national / international positioning of Toronto businesses and clusters.
Identifies economic trends through the gathering of field intelligence and provides input to new policies and programs supporting the economic growth of the City and builds consensus and partnerships to ensure implementation.
Works closely with external partners on the attraction of foreign direct investment at a local level.
Develops and implements industry specific economic development strategies in partnership with industry stakeholders.
Monitors policy, program and regulatory changes at all levels of government for impact on business clients and sector and initiates appropriate municipal response.
Ensures compliance, including by partners and associations, with applicable City and Provincial policies related to unit programs and services
Monitors Standing Committee agendas to identify items which might impact on the business community and determines appropriate staff actions.
Prepares reports for City Council and Committees.
Represents the City/Division by participating in local, national and international conferences, trade shows and business missions.

Key Qualifications:

Post-secondary education in international business, economics, trade, or a related professional discipline, combined with substantial experience in international trade, investment promotion, export /economic development, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. CITP designation is an asset.
Proven expertise in managing comprehensive international trade and investment initiatives, including organizing inbound and outbound trade missions, engaging with government officials, and navigating complex international trade policies.
Proven ability to lead, inspire, and manage diverse teams to deliver high-impact results in complex, fast-paced global environments.
In-depth understanding of municipal government operations, economic development policies, trade legislation, and international regulatory frameworks, with experience engaging senior management, elected officials, and political stakeholders on sensitive or high-profile initiatives.
Strong ability to analyze, interpret, and leverage trade data and analytics to inform strategic decision-making and optimize program outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-priority projects / events under tight deadlines, consistently delivering measurable results.
Strong strategic decision-making skills and sound judgment in handling complex issues, including international partnerships, labour considerations, and public relations matters.
Advanced negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with a track record of forging and sustaining strong relationships with international investors, trade partners, and domestic business leaders.
Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, including experience presenting to senior executives, political leaders, community stakeholders, and the media.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution capabilities, particularly in the context of international trade and investment initiatives.
Strong client and action-oriented focus, with the ability to balance stakeholder needs, corporate objectives, and global market considerations to drive business growth and economic impact.
Knowledge of relevant legislation and public policy shaping investment decisions, business operations, and international economic development and experience working with all levels of government.

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.

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