Business Development Associate

Calgary Economic Development; Calgary; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading economic development organization in Calgary seeks a Business Development Associate to support business retention and investment attraction. The role involves engaging with industry leaders, preparing investor packages, and building networks to promote Calgary as a preferred investment destination.

Benefits

100% employer paid benefit premiums

Health care spending account

Generous vacation and flex time policy

Professional development funding up to $2500

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in business development.
• Good understanding of economic development is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Support CED's efforts to promote Calgary to businesses.
• Prepare investor attraction packages and business cases.
• Develop a local and international network of stakeholders.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communications

Negotiation

Network building

Sales and marketing

Education

Undergraduate degree in Marketing

Diploma in investment promotion

Tools

CMS

CRM

Job description

Calgary Economic Development (CED) is an opportunity-maker, helping to spark and fuel Calgary’s growth. Our mandate is to position Calgary for long term economic success, through the expansion, retention and attraction of companies, capital and talent. We offer a wealth of information to help everyone succeed and we tirelessly promote Calgary, in Canada and around the world. We are passionate about our role in shaping and sharing Calgary’s story, a place of blue sky thinking and unexpected opportunities.

Job Summary

As part of Calgary Economic Development’s Business Development team, this position will support the Business Development Managers in their responsibilities for business retention, expansion, and investment attraction to Calgary.

Working closely with Business Development Managers, The Business Development Associate will proactively engage with businesses and leaders in industry within the sectors of: Energy and Environment/ Agribusiness/Aerospace and Logistics/ Life Sciences/Enterprise Technology/Digital Media & Entertainment to promote Calgary as a preferred destination for investment and expansion of their businesses

Key Responsibilities:

• Support CED's efforts, in collaboration with industry and the region, to promote Calgary to companies locally and around the world. Identifies and facilitates expansion, attraction and relocation of businesses within the industry.
  
• Work closely with the Business Development Managers (BDM’s) to prepare and assemble customized investor attraction packages and business cases and coordinates targeted responses to customer requests.
  
• Support the BDMs in prospecting, lead development and post-meeting follow-up to help build and maintain an investment pipeline.
• Works closely with our Investor Experience team in support of fulfilling client requests for services, this may include - real estate, referrals to industry and government contacts, arranging meetings with key industry executives, or providing market intelligence to potential investors/companies.
  
• In harmonisation with the BDMs, develop a local and international network of private, public, and government stakeholders to assist with all aspects of the FDI strategy (e.g. Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), City of Calgary, etc.)
  
• Support the creation and delivery of special projects designed to advance the industries and to engage/recruit local companies. This may include the activation at major conferences, advocacy strategies and new initiatives for the organization.
  
• Compiles business intelligence and other available data for enhanced investment into Calgary
  
• Uses CRM to track all client opportunities and touchpoints in support of the BDM Sector Lead.
  
• Investigate the prospects of new and emerging sectors and subsectors in the Calgary ecosystem that may generate significant investment opportunities.
  
• Active liaison with other divisions of CED in quest of finding answers/solutions to an investor’s key issues.
  
• Assist in creating sector value proposition and knowledge documents
  
• Additional responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Business Development.
  

Let’s Talk About You

You are effective at working independently and as a member of a team with an ability to collaborate and build consensus across the business. You have proven project management skills with the ability to multi-task several projects at once. You are able and available to travel globally.

You are passionate about our city and are excited at the prospect of working on projects that build on the energy of our community. You are collaborative, detailed-oriented, deliver high-quality work and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Education:

Undergraduate degree in Marketing, Communications, Economic, Political Science, or Commerce or related diploma/experience in investment promotion

Experience:

Minimum of 2 years of experience in business development or in a directly related area.

A good understanding of economic development or membership in industry associations is an added advantage

Key Competencies:

• Interpersonal skills / strong verbal communications skills and ability to negotiate
• Experience with CMS and CRM platforms
• Strength in network building with key business contacts and staying current with industry trends in Calgary and region, as well as internationally.
• Takes a supporting role in the industry by identifying key issues that impede growth and providing solutions to overcome impediments.
• Demonstrated understanding of, and effectiveness in, sales and marketing from lead generation through to complex deal strategy.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the local and international market / ecosystem and ability to build relationships with key international stakeholders (government/agency/associations).
• Exceptional business relationship management skills with a demonstrated commitment to customer service.
• Experience working with politically sensitive and confidential information
• Understanding of international trade

CED offers more than a competitive base salary to our employees. We have a comprehensive benefit plan that includes 100% employer paid benefit premiums, RRSP’s, a health care spending account, and a generous vacation and flex time policy. We are committed to our employee’s mental health and offer resilience training with Headversity, free counselling with an EAP program, in addition to paramedical coverage through our medical benefits plan.

CED encourages and supports life-long learning and professional development. Employees are encouraged to access up to $2500 per year of funded professional development training opportunities. If you are looking for purpose driven work and are interested in joining us on our mission to diversify Calgary’s economy, we invite you to apply.

EDI Commitment Statement:

Calgary Economic Development celebrates diversity and is committed to advancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). Through EDI, we create a path to success for all our employees, where they have equal opportunity for advancement, have the voice to contribute to our collective growth and development and work in an inclusive environment.

We strongly believe in accessibility in the work we do and welcome requests to make the hiring process as accessible as possible. Accommodations are available for candidates on request duringall aspects of the selection process. Please advise at any point and we will do our best to work with you to meet your needs.

Calgary Economic Development adheres to the Alberta Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples and persons of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities and expressions. Please be aware that Calgary Economic Development is committed to having a safe work environment.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and resume in confidence to:calgaryeconomic.bamboohr.com/careersby4:00pm, May 26, 2025.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.