Manager Economic Development

City of Hobart; City of Hobart; On-site; AUD 154,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Above Award wages

Employer superannuation 13.5%

Flexible work arrangements

Leave entitlements

Health and wellness programs

Onsite gyms

Discounted aquatic centre membership

Additional leave after 12 months

Employee assistance program onsite

Corporate health plan discounts

Job summary

The City of Hobart is seeking a proactive Manager Economic Development to lead the City’s economic development programs, including investment attraction, business engagement and support, innovation, funding programs, and parking services.

This role places you on the Hobart Leadership Team, directing a diverse portfolio to strengthen Hobart’s economy and enhance its reputation as a thriving place to live, work, invest and visit.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Economics, Public Policy or related discipline.
• Senior leadership experience managing complex programs and services.
• Expertise in economic development, investment attraction and business support.
• Experience delivering innovation and smart city initiatives.
• Strong strategic planning, project management and contract management capabilities.
• Proven ability to prepare high-level reports, business cases, funding submissions and strategic plans.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Collaborative leadership style that inspires high performance and accountability.
• Postgraduate qualifications in a related field highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the City Economy Strategy and Framework.
• Drive investment attraction, business development and economic growth initiatives.
• Lead the development and delivery of the Hobart Innovation District.
• Build strategic partnerships across government, industry, education and business community.
• Provide expert advice on economic development, innovation, funding programs, community safety and parking services.
• Lead strategic development and continuous improvement of parking services.
• Oversee economic research, analysis and stakeholder engagement to identify trends.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team with a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Influencing

Communication

Collaboration

Change leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Economics/Public Policy or related

Postgraduate qualifications in a related field

Job description

Group and Team: Economic and Development

Location: Council Centre

Employment status: Temporary (5 years) Full-time 1.0 FTE

Classification: Municipal Officer Level 7

Agreement: Hobart City Council Enterprise Agreement 2024

Salary range: $154,325 to $161,153 per annum + 13.5% superannuation.

About The Role

The Manager Economic Development leads the City’s economic development programs, including investment attraction, business engagement and support, innovation, funding programs, community safety and parking services.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence Hobart’s economic direction and support sustainable, knowledge-based growth. As a member of the Hobart Leadership Team, you will lead a diverse portfolio and work closely with government, business, industry, academia and the community to deliver initiatives that strengthen Hobart’s economy and enhance the city’s reputation as a thriving place to live, work, invest and visit.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Leading the implementation of the City Economy Strategy and Framework.
• Driving investment attraction, business development and economic growth initiatives.
• Leading the development and delivery of the Hobart Innovation District.
• Building strategic partnerships across government, industry, education and the broader business community.
• Providing expert advice on economic development, innovation, funding programs, community safety and parking services.
• Leading the strategic development and continuous improvement of parking services.
• Overseeing economic research, analysis and stakeholder engagement to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
• Leading and developing a high-performing team while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Learn more about the role in the position description: Manager Economic Development Position Description

About You

You are a strategic and influential leader with extensive experience in economic development, investment attraction and business engagement. You combine commercial acumen with a strong understanding of the public sector and are passionate about creating sustainable economic outcomes for communities.

You are known for building trusted relationships, navigating complex stakeholder environments and translating strategy into action. You are a confident communicator who can influence at all levels and lead teams through change with clarity and purpose.

To Be Successful In This Role, You Will Bring

• A degree in Business, Economics, Public Policy or a related discipline.
• Significant senior leadership experience managing complex programs and services.
• Demonstrated expertise in economic development, investment attraction and business support initiatives.
• Experience delivering innovation and smart city initiatives.
• Strong strategic planning, project management and contract management capabilities.
• Proven ability to prepare high-level reports, business cases, funding submissions and strategic plans.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills.
• A collaborative leadership style that inspires high performance and accountability.

Postgraduate qualifications in a related field will be highly regarded.

About Us

The City of Hobart offers something for everyone, with connections between nature, history, culture, businesses and each other. We are proud to provide a range of services and facilities that support the wellbeing, safety and participation of the community as well as continuously look to improve and embrace new approaches to achieve better outcomes for all. With an industrious and diversified economy, wherever your skills, talents and passions lie, we can offer you the opportunity to have a rewarding career with ongoing learning and development opportunities.

We Recognise Contributions To Our Workforce And Offer

• Above Award wages and Employer Superannuation at 13.5% with salary sacrifice options.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• A wide range of leave entitlements.
• Health and Wellness programs, including onsite gyms.
• Discounted membership at Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre.
• Ability to purchase additional leave after 12 months of service.
• An Employee Assistance Program that offers onsite visits.
• Corporate Health Plan discounts with BUPA, St. Lukes and Medibank.

Learn more about what the City of Hobart can offer you.

The City of Hobart is committed to building an inclusive community and workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, ages and identities.

City of Hobart has a strong commitment to health and safety. Appointment will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment background checks. These will include reference checks, verification of qualifications, National Criminal History record check, and Medical Assessment including drug and alcohol testing.

The City of Hobart operates within the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework, safeguarding children and young people accessing our services and facilities. Your commitment to this framework is essential to improving the way we work, by implementing strategies and actions to promote child safety and wellbeing and preventing harm to children and young people. The City of Hobart incorporates Tasmania’s Child and Youth Safe Standards in its recruitment process, ensuring the safety and well-being of children and young people in our community.

Learn more about our vision, mission and values.

Applications close 11:59 pm Sunday 27 September 2026.

Selection process

Candidates are initially selected for interview based on the details provided in their application.

The City of Hobart assesses all applications based on merit.

Positions are filled, based on how well the successful candidate meets the requirements of the position.

Learn more about the selection process on our website.