Business Development Officer

City of Barrie; Barrie; Hybrid; CAD 84,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government entity in Barrie is seeking a Business Development Officer to strengthen the local economy by attracting new businesses and supporting existing employers. The successful candidate will develop economic strategies, lead marketing efforts, and engage with numerous stakeholders to drive investment. A four-year degree and five years of related experience are required. This position offers hybrid work options and a range of employee benefits including health, dental, and pension plan enrollment.

Benefits

Extended health and dental benefits

Employee and Family Assistance Program

Discounted rates for City Fitness Memberships

Qualifications

• Five years experience in economic development or business attraction roles.
• Ability to develop compelling marketing plans and communicate effectively.
• Experience in engaging stakeholders at multiple levels.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen the local employment and tax base by attracting businesses.
• Develop and implement economic development initiatives and marketing materials.
• Represent the City at trade shows and economic development events.

Skills

Economic development strategies

Stakeholder engagement

Market analysis

Project management

Education

Four-year University Degree in Business or related field

Job description

Posting Number: TC-26-03

Job Type: Temporary Full-time, Up to 2 Years, Union

Salary Range: $84,211.40 to $100,937.20 per year

Application Deadline: Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 11:59 pm

The Economic Development Department, within the Infrastructure and Growth Management Division, drives the attraction and facilitation of new business investment and supports the retention and growth of existing employers. The department also encourages and promotes the creation of new Barrie‑based enterprises, including start‑ups and small businesses.

The Business Development Officer strengthens Barrie’s employment base and non‑residential tax base by attracting and relocating new businesses and enabling the expansion of existing ones. This position develops and implements economic development strategies, marketing plans, and programs; represents the City’s interests in regional economic partnerships; and engages stakeholders at the local, regional, provincial, federal, and international levels to advance investment and talent attraction/retention. Expected outcomes include growth in jobs, capital investment, assessed value, and talent.

This position delivers effective economic development initiatives, including: producing and distributing compelling sector‑ and market‑specific marketing materials; stewarding companies establishing operations in Barrie; sharpening and communicating Barrie’s value proposition; identifying and qualifying new business opportunities; and building, managing, and growing a pipeline of prospective investors from target markets. Additionally, this role will conduct research and respond to incoming information requests covering new business investment, expansions, labour market and economic trends, real estate and development, and funding programs. The Business Development Officer advances the economic development needs of local industries and provides strategic connections to businesses and partners across local, regional, provincial, and federal networks while maintaining strong internal and external relationships with City departments, trade and investment agencies, site selectors and the real estate community, business leaders, senior levels of government, and other ecosystem partners.

This position also represents the City at trade shows and industry conferences and plans and delivers economic development events.

Our Culture and Qualifications of the Job

Your workplace values align with our corporate values of Strive, Share and Care and you want to join us in providing exceptional services and programs to build a prosperous, growing and sustainable community.

Equally important to what we do is how we do it - your actions reflect our core accountabilities of Personal Awareness, Teamwork and Collaboration, Respect and Inclusion, Innovation, Service Excellence, which define how we work together to succeed.

Education (degree/diploma/certifications)

• Four (4) year University Degree in Business, Public Administration, Economics, Urban Planning, Marketing, Communications, or a related discipline

Don’t meet the credentials as outlined but have years of directly related experience? Please see the City’s Education Equivalency Policy to determine if you may qualify for equivalency. Further information is available at www.barrie.ca/government-news/jobs

• Position Equivalency Code: F

Experience

• Five (5) years of experience performing duties related to the major responsibilities of the position

Conditions of Employment

• Valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s Licence in good standing with a reliable vehicle for use on corporate business
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check

Location: City Hall, 70 Collier Street, Barrie, Ontario*

*Please note that the City has a Hybrid Work Program Procedure in place that may allow for up to one (1) remote day per week for employees who meet the eligibility requirements

Hours:

The normal hours of work are 35 hours per week in accordance with the Collective Agreement.

What We Offer:

This position includes extended health and dental benefits, optional enrollment in the OMERS Primary pension plan, prorated paid sick time based on the expected duration of employment, and prorated vacation time based on calendar year and in accordance with the Employment Standards Act, access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), discounted rates for City Fitness Memberships and Transit Passes, and access to the Perkopolis Perks program, which provides exclusive access to discounts on a wide range of products and services available to all City employees.

For full position details and to apply, please visit: https://barrie.hiringplatform.ca/processes/42328d33-e274-46ff-babb-f29d400311a7?locale=en