Economic Development Officer

Municipality of Chatham-Kent; Chatham; On-site; CAD 91,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is seeking two permanent full-time Economic Development Officers to foster a vibrant business environment. You will plan and implement retention, expansion and investment attraction initiatives, collaborate with partners, and deliver client-focused services through the Chatham-Kent Small Business Centre.

Candidates should have 2–4 years of related experience, a college diploma or university degree, strong communication skills, and the ability to work with diverse

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in business/economics or related field.
• 2–4 years of related experience in economic development or similar roles.
• Self-starter with ability to plan and implement initiatives.
• Ability to build relationships with employers, investors and community partners.
• Political acumen and ability to navigate municipal processes.
• Knowledge of municipal services, grants and funding programs.
• Strong public speaking and written communication skills.
• Proficient in MS Office; familiarity with ArcGIS and CRM systems.

Responsibilities

• Foster a thriving business environment in Chatham-Kent through retention, expansion and investment attraction initiatives.
• Lead programs delivered by the Small Business Centre and coordinate provincial funding initiatives.
• Provide concierge-style services to businesses, including advisory support and connections to resources.
• Engage with prospective companies and stakeholders to showcase Chatham-Kent as a destination for investment.
• Prepare monthly/annual reports and manage program targets and metrics.
• Organize events, workshops, webinars, and seminars for the local business community.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Public speaking

Research & analysis

Project management

Customer service

Education

College diploma in business or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Closing Date: October 14, 11:59pm EST. Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has openings for two (2) permanent full-time Economic Development Officers in the Economic Development and Tourism Services division.

Under the direction of the Manager, Economic Development Services, the Economic Development Officer is responsible for fostering a thriving business environment in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. This position plans and implements business retention, expansion, investment attraction, and economic development initiatives that support local businesses and contribute to economic growth in Chatham-Kent through different types of activities including:

• Working collaboratively with businesses, investors, community organizations, regional partners and municipal departments, the Economic Development Officer supports sustainable economic growth and advances Council’s strategic directions. Sectors include agriculture, manufacturing, schools and hospitals (MUSH), information and communication technology, real estate, small business and others required to enhance the economic well-being and resiliency of the community.
• Build and maintain relationships with local businesses, investors, entrepreneurs, developers and industry stakeholders while developing and implementing programs and initiatives that support local business retention and expansion. Identify emerging economic development opportunities, trends, and challenges and recommend appropriate actions and initiatives. Respond to business inquiries and facilitate connections to relevant resources, funding programs and municipal services.
• Playing a key role in organizing and delivering the services of the Chatham-Kent Small Business Centre including collaboration, reporting and community outreach as well as being responsible for the effective delivery to clients of the programs funded by the Province of Ontario as well as other funding partners.
• Engaging with prospective companies or their representation to showcase Chatham-Kent as a desirable place to conduct business. The Investment Attraction portfolio includes collecting appropriate information necessary to a prospective investment, presenting a business case for businesses to invest, making necessary stakeholder connections as well as providing on-boarding supports to ensure a smooth transition into our community.
• Providing concierge services to new and existing companies in Chatham-Kent. Concierge Services include engaging in mentorship, having an understanding of current programs and services available to support employers, providing advisory services, and leveraging relationships within the business community to assist employers as well as municipal partners to achieve their goals.
• As Ambassadors of the Municipality, EDO’s participate in industry associations, sit on various committees, have frequent interactions with business leaders and members of Council, as well as remain relevant by maintaining a personal presence through traditional media sources and/or multiple social media platforms with fresh content. EDO’s additionally organize events, workshops, webinars, and seminars that are suited to the needs of the Chatham-Kent business community and promote local businesses.
• Assisting the Municipality and employers with value-added projects that advance economic growth in the community, Economic Development and Tourism Services, as well as enhancing the understanding of municipal service delivery in our community.

Economic Development Officers play a large role in leveraging community assets by using their knowledge to inform Council, Administration, and members of the public on matters that reinforce the economic well-being of the community as a whole. EDOs leverage their relationships and knowledge of economic principles to inform and recommend policy changes to support the economic well-being of the Chatham-Kent community.

• Demonstrate Chatham-Kent’s core values and competencies.
• Identify opportunities for economic growth and take action to improve the local business environment. Support business retention and expansion activities through frequent interaction with community business leaders and address their concerns directly with actionable solutions.
• Provide virtual and in-person coaching, mentorship, and advice to clients that are developing business plans including industry-specific competitive analysis, economic analysis, marketing strategies, human resources, health and safety, and financial research.
• Assist businesses with obtaining Master Business Licenses, HST #’s, and any municipal licensing requirements.
• Maintaining knowledge of and offering government grants and various programs that periodically become available.
• Prepare accurate and complete monthly, semi-annual and annual reports for the Province of Ontario and other funding agencies, entering and auditing monthly metrics and data into identified software platforms and ensuring all deadlines and requirements are met.
• Contribute to the development of funding agreements with identified agencies or ministries, including the development of program targets, strategic plans for the delivery of program services, review of accuracy of all documentations, and implementation of delivery and reporting standards.
• Ability to research, gather, analyze and interpret information to support Investment attraction efforts and provide market research for Economic Development Services and local employers.
• Coordinate and support regional initiatives which progressively encourage sector and cluster development, community leadership and population growth.
• Act as a personalized concierge to businesses by utilizing exceptional customer service skills and addressing concerns of the local business community.
• Conduct and organize on-site business milestone/celebrations and grand openings with the Mayor and Council
• Assist municipal partners to engage the business community directly or providing insights through interdepartmental committees.
• Liaise with community partners such as Business Improvement Areas, Chambers of Commerce, WeTech, Regional SBC’s, BDC, CFDCK as well as Provincial program representatives.
• Assist with presentations to community groups, service clubs, educational institutions, businesses, or professional organizations.
• Network and maintain contacts with local, provincial, and federal ministries, agencies and organizations related to community Economic Development.
• The ability to formulate a business plan, prepare proposals and presentations to support various subject matter.
• In conjunction with Fire & Emergency Services’, be able to provide in-person physical disaster assistance to business owners as required after hours or provide support to employer’s financial hardships.
• Act as an Ambassador of Chatham-Kent.
• Assist with other Economic Development initiatives as required.
• College diploma or university degree (preferably in a business, accounting, administrative or economic development program), with two (2) to four (4) years of related experience
• A self-starter that can identify issues, plan, and actively work with others to implement solutions. The ability to delivery exceptional customer service.
• The ability to create new relationships and build rapport with employers
• Willingness to adapt and learn new things, and a positive attitude to help business succeed.
• Political acumen and critical thinking skills
• Being resourceful in order to connect businesses to people, business, and various stakeholders that advance business interests of clients
• Demonstrated experience providing assistance to local businesses
• Knowledge of the following:
  • Knowledge of Chatham-Kent municipal services, programs, and their related fees.
  • An acute awareness of the community and localized business-related challenges
  • Knowledge of government funding programs that support investment, jobs, and growth.
  • Familiarity with provincial legislation as it relates to Municipal development (The Municipal Act, The Planning Act, Ontario Building Code, Building Code Act, etc.) and the related internal municipal processes
  • An ability to assist businesses set-up and be able to address all-related areas of a Business Plan.
  • Procedures involved in acquiring real property as well as being able to walk prospective buyers of municipal lands (such as Business Parks) through internal disposition of land processes.
  • Knowledge of numerous workforce-related topics, employment support partners and the ability to identify and connect the necessary employer supports.
• Strong public speaking and an ability to write all audiences.
• Strong computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) use or learn to use municipally related software programs such as ArcGIS and CRM’s effectively.
• An ongoing fluency in social media, as well as the ability to use the internet effectively to research, analyze and disseminate information vast amounts of information.

Certifications, memberships, licenses

• Professional E.D. or Certified Ec.D. designation an asset
• Advanced Degree in a related field of study or other professional designations or certifications are considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in creating and/or managing a successful business is desirable.
• Membership or experience with industry sector organizations or experience serving on a committee is desirable.

Work environment/hours of work

• This position works both indoors and outdoors
• This position works weekday hours, with occasional evening and weekend hours
• Must be able to identify hazards and use personal property equipment properly in different workplaces

Driver's Licence/Vehicle requirements

Because of the responsibilities, this position requires the successful candidate to have a valid class G (or higher) Ontario driver’s licence; a driver’s abstract will be conducted by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. An acceptable driver’s abstract will: be an original document and current (within the previous thirty (30) days); have no more than four (4) demerit points; have no more than two (2) convictions for the same offence; have no criminal code convictions; have no ‘non-medical or administrative’ license suspension in the preceding three (3) years.

Background check requirements

Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to commencement of employment. A background check may include the following: education/certification verification and employment reference check. Because of the environment this position will be working in, the successful candidate will be required to furnish an original Police Information Search (Criminal Record Check) prior to commencement of employment.

Essential physical and/or safety requirements

• Bending: constant stooping (up to 4.55 kgs or 10 lbs) (moving boxes, transferring files)
• Walking: constant walking on level surface (conduct site tours of industrial /commercial buildings with potential clients interested in buying/leasing space)
• Sitting: frequent sitting in a vehicle seat; constant sitting in a chair (office work, driving to and from site tours and meetings)
• Standing: frequent standing inside, outside (onsite meeting at industrial /commercial buildings, working at trade show booths, conferences)
• Hands: constant fine finger dexterity (movement) (office work, computer typing, moving/transferring file folders, boxes, moving large displays)

This permanent full-time position has an annual salary of $90,848 to $102,694 and will receive benefits including: participation in the OMERS pension plan (mandatory) as well as sick and vacation entitlements. Following successful completion of a 3-month waiting period, candidates will also be entitled to a comprehensive group benefits package.

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The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve.

The Municipality does not use artificial intelligence or automated decision‑making tools in its recruitment or selection processes; all hiring decisions are made by people.

Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.