Job Description

Job Title: Manager, Economic Development
Work Hours: 35 hours per week
Wage: The salary range is $108,308.20 to $131,604.20 ($59.51 to $72.31 per hour)
Anticipated Start Date: May 2025Applications will be accepted until Monday, March 31, 2025 at 4:00pm
Location: Collingwood, ON Manager, Economic Development (Full-Time)Job #: 2025-20Job Type: Permanent Full-TimeA career at the Town of Collingwood is more than a job; its a pathway to thrive. Here, youll be part of a leading-edge team working together to provide excellent services, progressive and accountable decision-making, collaboration and advocacy based on our values of leadership, integrity, respect, excellence, and financial stewardship.If this resonates with you and youre passionate about creating meaningful community impact, then read on!The OpportunityReporting to the Director, Growth & Development, the Manager, Economic Development is responsible for leading development and implementation of economic development strategy, programs and projects, ensuring that Collingwood is investment-ready, local and re-located businesses are supported and assisted to help grow the local and Regional economy, smart decisions and projects are made to support and grow the tourism sector, Collingwood's reputation for knowledge based, innovative, sustainable businesses and business ideas is strengthened and sustained and the Collingwood brand is promoted and marketed. The Manager makes recommendations and implements approved direction to guide the economic growth of the community, as well as leads and facilitates the Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) and Business Development Centre (BDC) operations. The main duties and responsibilities of the position are in the areas of leading development and implementation of economic development strategy, ensuring Collingwood is investment-ready, workforce development, and division administration functions.What You Will Do

• Design and maintain a consultation program, engage and make recommendations, organize public engagements with business leaders, and solicit advice from economic development experts as required, to develop and implement key objectives and action plans to further Collingwood's economic development.
• Consolidate objectives and action plans into recommendations with supporting analysis to secure approval from Council. Establish targets, develop measurements, track, and analyze results, and provide progress reports.
• Develop inter-governmental partnerships; lead preparation of applications for grants; monitor Federal, Provincial, and other agencies policy changes with respect to economic development to update Council and Town staff.
• Monitor market trends, conduct research, and collect competitive information to identify opportunities and key issues, preparing Staff Reports for consideration as needed.
• Manage the BDC building and leases with tenants who help deliver these services (e.g., Collingwood Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA), SBEC, Community Futures South Georgian Bay (CFSGB)).
• Be a champion for Collingwood business and investment, acting as a first point of contact prior to land use planning applications as needed and participating in the preparation of policies that would impact the business community. Support the Planning and Building application process by acting as a concierge for businesses.
• Maintain a current inventory of available land and space. Identify, track and project demands, trends and issues related to the supply of available industrial and commercial supply and work interdepartmentally to identify ways of delivering the required supply in the appropriate configurations/locations.
• Promote Collingwood as a great place to live and work by marketing the attractive lifestyle and relevant Town/third party events through strong social media presence, public relations efforts, collaboration with the tourism association and other regional partners.
• Oversee and track tourism strategy to increase workforce attraction, visitor spending and economic impact, including work with BIA and other tourism partners regionally. Implement and administer a Municipal Accommodations Tax, as applicable.
• Connect employers with workforce service providers and educational institutions and organize networking and educational events. Maintain strong connection with youth and young adults to ensure long term health of workforce.
• Manage the coordination of work activities and provide operational guidance and direction to division staff and oversee the general management and staff of the SBEC, including marketing and data support as well as regional and provincial relationship building and collaboration regarding funding arrangements.
• Prepare and recommend annual budgets, long-range forecasts, and business plans for the division. Administer and monitor the approved budget and expenditures related to the division to ensure effective and efficient use of resources and provide expenditure updates/reports to the Director when required.

Qualifications: Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of structure and operation of municipal government principles, practices, procedures and legal requirements and its political environment. Proven political sensitivity and judgement, and familiar with methods and techniques for business and community involvement.
• Experience developing win-win private-public partnerships, writing agreements, and ensuring ongoing relationship development, and well as demonstrated expertise in developing plans, securing approval, and ensuring their effective implementation through strong project management.
• Proven leadership ability to motivate and bring stakeholders together including business, industry, all levels of government and community groups. Demonstrated success in leading cohesive and motivated teams to meet corporate goals, objectives, and initiatives.
• Excellent administrative, communication, interpersonal, organizational, time management, analytical, problem-solving, report writing, and public relations skills, together with the ability to use tact and discretion and to deal courteously and effectively with the public and fellow staff members.
• Ability to multi-task, cope with interruptions and work under pressure to meet multiple deadlines, exercise discretion and good judgment particularly when handling highly confidential/sensitive information. Possess a high level of initiative and personal integrity.
• Working knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office applications, and office equipment. Strong grasp of social media platforms, promotional strategies, and analytics.

Qualifications

• Degree/diploma in Economics, Business, Public Administration, or related discipline.
• Certified Economic Developer (Ec.D.) designation is an asset.
• Ten (10) years of professional experience in business development, community building, economic development and/or marketing. Broad-based business development experience working with small and large companies and organizations, across a range of leadership levels. Municipal experience is an asset.
• Valid Class G Driver's License and current Driver's Abstract satisfactory to the Employer.
• Possess a current Criminal Record & Judicial Matters Check (Level 2) with results satisfactory to the employer, and a valid standard first aid & CPR/AED Level C certification (or willing to obtain).

Employer: Town of Collingwood
How to Apply: To review the full job description and learn how to apply, please visit the Town of Collingwood website:
Date Posted: March 18, 2025 Posting Expires: March 31, 2025*This posting has been provided by an external Employer.