Economic Development Consultant

Watershed Management Consulting; Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic consulting firm is seeking an Economic Development Consultant to guide municipalities in strategic planning and sustainable growth initiatives. The role involves collaborating with government and community members to create impactful economic development strategies. Ideal candidates should possess extensive experience in economic planning and stakeholder engagement, bringing a proven track record of successful project execution.

Benefits

Flexible work environment

Exposure to diverse municipal projects

Qualifications

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in economic development.
• Strong understanding of governance structures and economic policies in Canada.
• Proven ability to work with municipal officials and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of comprehensive economic strategies.
• Conduct economic scans and opportunity assessments.
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations and public engagement sessions.

Skills

Strategic Insight

Public-Private Collaboration

Stakeholder Engagement

Communication

Education

Graduate degree in Economic Development, Planning, Public Administration, Business, or related field

Tools

EMSIs

GIS

Site Selector Data

Job description

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Job Title : Economic Development Consultant

Location : Hybrid with some On-site meetings

Employment Type : Contract (varying project based # of hours)

Duration : 6–12 months or Project-Based

Compensation : Competitive; commensurate with experience

About the Role

Watershed Management Consulting is seeking experienced and strategic Economic Development Consultants to support municipal and regional clients in the design, development, and implementation of initiatives that stimulate sustainable economic growth. The ideal candidate will bring a strong mix of public-private collaboration skills, strategic insight, and a track record of delivering community-impact-driven economic plans.

You’ll work closely with government stakeholders, industry partners, and community members to guide economic development strategies, business retention / expansion programs (BR+E), investment attraction frameworks, and branding or tourism initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of comprehensive economic development strategies , including sector prioritization, investment attraction, and business ecosystem analysis.
• Conduct economic scans and opportunity assessments , including SWOT and competitive benchmarking for municipalities or economic regions.
• Design and implement BR+E (Business Retention & Expansion) strategies to support local business growth and stakeholder engagement.
• Support investment readiness assessments and develop investment marketing materials, land inventories, and digital toolkits.
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations and public engagement sessions , integrating community input into final deliverables.
• Develop implementation roadmaps with defined goals, KPIs, and performance monitoring frameworks.
• Advise municipalities on grant and funding opportunities , policy alignment, and intergovernmental partnerships.
• Collaborate with marketing / branding teams to create economic development brands, promotional campaigns, and community messaging.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in economic development, regional planning, public policy, or community economic revitalization.
• Strong understanding of municipal and regional governance structures , economic policies, and funding mechanisms in Canada.
• Experience leading projects involving BR+E, investment attraction, tourism development , or workforce development .
• Proven ability to work with municipal officials, Indigenous communities, Chambers of Commerce , and regional economic alliances.
• Strong writing, presentation, and facilitation skills —capable of developing executive-level reports and engaging stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Economic Development, Planning, Public Administration, Business, or a related field.
• Familiarity with tools such as EMSIs, GIS, Site Selector Data, MuniSight , or other regional analysis platforms.
• Bilingual (English / French) or fluency in Indigenous languages is an asset.
• Certified Economic Developer (Ec.D.) or equivalent designation is preferred but not required.
• Experience working with Indigenous economic development corporations or rural communities is a strong asset.

Why Join Us?

Watershed Management Consulting is a growing, community-focused firm specializing in municipal consulting, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement across Canada. Our consultants support projects that make real local impact—from business ecosystem growth to climate-adapted economic strategies.

You'll join a flexible, mission-driven team, get exposure to diverse municipal projects, and have the opportunity to grow with us as we expand our footprint in local government advisory.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume, portfolio or project examples , and daily / hourly rate expectations to [emailprotected] with the subject line : “Economic Development Consultant – Application”

Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for an interview or included in proposals to our municipal clients.

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