Manager, North America

Economic Development Winnipeg; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Economic Development Winnipeg is seeking a Manager, North America, to lead efforts in attracting foreign investments and driving economic growth in Winnipeg. This pivotal role requires a dynamic leader skilled in strategic networking and relationship building, with a strong passion for the city and its future. Join a collaborative team dedicated to promoting Winnipeg's economic strengths and enhancing the local business landscape.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in business development roles.
• Proven success in international business and investment attraction.
• Bilingual/multilingual communication skills preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies for Foreign Direct Investment.
• Foster relationships with North American businesses.
• Collaborate with the Business Development team for lead conversion.

Skills

Strategic networking

Relationship building

Communication skills

Leadership

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a business-related field

Job description

MANAGER, NORTH AMERICA

Economic Development Winnipeg (EDW) is looking for a dynamic, driven, and connected leader who is passionate about Winnipeg and its future, and interested in making a meaningful impact in our community. If you believe in our city, want to fuel the growth of our private sector businesses, and are a natural ambassador for what makes Winnipeg great, consider joining our dynamic and growing team!

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Economic Development Winnipeg’s (EDW) mission is to promote and influence economic growth in Winnipeg. The team is made up of passionate Winnipeggers who build connections across our city and diverse industries to lead, facilitate and promote Winnipeg’s economic development and tourism efforts. With a flexible, respectful, and dynamic work environment, EDW is an ideal place to expand your knowledge and build your career.

Reporting to the Director of FDI, the Manager, North America, is senior-level position plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth and development in Winnipeg and the surrounding region. As the strategic leader, this Manager, North America leads efforts to attract investments, foster job creation, and cultivate business relationships with investors and businesses in North America.

The North American region covers the United States and Mexico.

RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS

• Develop and implement strategies to attract new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from North America.
• Utilize comprehensive market research and analysis to identify potential investors that align with Winnipeg's economic strengths and value proposition.
• Promote Winnipeg as the preferred destination for investment through compelling messaging and targeted outreach.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with North American-owned businesses in Winnipeg and their regional and global headquarters, providing tailored client services to address their specific needs and challenges.
• Oversee the market’s client accounts across the business attraction and retention cycle, ensuring consistent engagement, customized support, and seamless coordination from the first point of contact through post-investment follow-up.
• Collaborate closely with the Business Development team to enhance the value proposition, convert investment leads into opportunities and wins, and ensure activities are effectively and promptly captured in the organization’s CRM.
• Utilize knowledge of Winnipeg’s local industry ecosystem to provide information, services, advice, and connections to qualified clients and prospects.
• Lead efforts to increase awareness of Winnipeg in international markets through various tools and collaboration with the Marketing and Communications team to develop and amplify the right messaging, thereby enhancing the city’s attractiveness to potential investors and stakeholders.
• Work with EDW’s national and international partnerships and lead generation channels and tools to proactively identify and connect with potential companies that can leverage Winnipeg’s value proposition for business in the city’s core economic sectors.
• Lead through collaboration with Economic Development Winnipeg’s (EDW) partners by identifying, building, and maintaining key relationships with clients, investors, industry associations, business groups, and other organizations and stakeholders in North America.
• Work collaboratively with municipal, provincial, and federal government partners, aligning and advancing these relationships to deliver EDW corporate priorities while maintaining political awareness and sensitivity.
• Foster a team approach with other municipal and provincial partners when competing for international investment projects abroad and at home.
• Manage and coach the North America team, providing guidance, support, and mentorship to team members to ensure alignment with organizational goals and objectives while fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Contribute to EDW’s strategic planning cycle as appropriate by establishing Market Action Plans in support of the FDI departmental plan and of the overall corporate plan.
• Accountable for the market’s focus, business activities, targets and deliverables, resources required, budget planning/management, and demonstration of value for money.
• Deliver consistently high levels of client service and cultural appropriateness, differentiating Winnipeg through sector value propositions, and through the strength and speed of the investment facilitation services provided.
• Develop and maintain business knowledge of Canada’s international relations with the assigned region, and expertise in the relevant trade agreements. Build and maintain strong expertise on the Canada-United States-Mexico free trade agreement (CUSMA).
• Represent Winnipeg and Economic Development Winnipeg with exceptional professionalism in high-level engagements at the C-suite level.
• Oversee and manage a diverse range of reactive requests, effectively manage competing priorities and adjust workflows to meet tight deadlines.
• Collaborate with the Tourism Winnipeg team to nurture opportunities to attract leads on business events to Winnipeg from the market.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong understanding of Winnipeg's local industry ecosystem, in-depth knowledge of the city, energetic, hardworking, and passionate about strengthening Winnipeg’s economy.
• Strong multicultural capability to work effectively and respectfully with foreign businesspeople.
• Bilingual/multilingual, able to communicate fluently in another language other than English (Spanish ideal).
• Superior communication skills, including excellent presentation, listening, and writing skills.
• Strong aptitude for strategic networking and relationship building.
• A natural self-starter; able to work proactively and manage a diverse portfolio of files.
• Sound judgment and able to anticipate and diffuse potential issues before they occur.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Ability to think creatively and work well independently and within a team environment.
• Flexible in participating in meetings outside office hours, as required, to accommodate the client’s time zone.
• Excellent business acumen.
• Politically astute, with a basic understanding of the language of government and how to work with it effectively.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a business-related field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of professional experience and previous success identifying, advancing, and closing opportunities in sales/strategic business development-related roles.
• Proven experience in international business and investment attraction.
• Computer literacy/proficiency with Microsoft Office products as well as CRM and virtual platforms.
• An acceptable combination of education and experience may be considered.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be willing and able to travel within Canada and internationally for convention/event/investment missions. (4-8 trips annually)
• Valid passport and/or required visas to enter the target countries
• Class 5 driver’s license and a clean driving abstract; access to a reliable vehicle is required
• Full-time, in-office position with standard business hours.

DIVERSE TEAMS CREATE BETTER IDEAS AND GROWTH IN OUR CITY!

A strong connector between business, industry, educational institutions and governments, Economic Development Winnipeg knows the most diverse teams bring about the best results when it comes to innovation, growth, and impact on a community.Economic Development Winnipeg values team members who are diverse in age, gender identity, race and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientation, physical and mental abilities. Diverse voices are critical in the next chapter of Winnipeg’s economic growth and contribute to our city’s success.

HOW TO APPLY

If your passion for Winnipeg is matched by your proven track record as a collaborative and motivating sales leader, and an ability to execute effectively on business development and corporate strategies, then this opportunity is ideal for you. This position requires a natural ability to build rapport with diverse business leaders, partners, and staff.

Interested candidates can apply by submitting cover letters and resumes to [e-mail]. Applications will be accepted until 9 am Wednesday, July 30th.

We thank all applicants for your interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.