Manager of Economic Development

Avanti Software Inc.; Welland; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

OMERS Pension

Five Wellness days

Flexible work arrangements

Benefits package

Job summary

The City of Welland is seeking a Manager of Economic Development who will identify, cultivate, and secure new business opportunities aligned with the city’s strategic goals. Reporting to the Director of Economic Development and Strategic Initiatives, this role drives growth and supports communities and industries in Welland.

With a required EDAC certification and substantial managerial experience, you will lead partnerships, develop strategies, and work across departments.

Qualifications

• University degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or similar, or equivalent experience.
• Five years of progressively responsible managerial experience, preferably in municipal/public sector.
• EDAC certification (Ec.D.) is required.
• Strong marketing and communications knowledge with proposal-writing experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Well-developed computer skills, especially Microsoft Office and related software.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, and secure new business opportunities in alignment with city goals.
• Build relationships with government agencies, industry partners, and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop tailored solutions for investors and businesses.
• Stay informed on industry trends to inform development strategies.
• Promote economic development initiatives and assist with grant and sponsorship activities.
• Prepare and present reports on development projects and investment opportunities.

Skills

Marketing knowledge

Proposal writing

Verbal & written communication

Data analysis

Computer skills

Education

University degree in Business Admin/Marketing

EDAC certification (Ec.D.)

Managerial experience in public sector

Tools

Microsoft Office

Other relevant software

Job description

About the City of Welland...At the City of Welland, we’re continuously rewriting our story. Not because we don’t know where we’re going, but because we are constantly reaching for new heights, engaging in new approaches, and pursuing what many believe to be unattainable or too ambitious. At the City of Welland, we’re not satisfied with the status quo. And we’re certainly not satisfied with doing things simply because that’s how they were done in the past.
We expect our population to increase to over 80,000 in the next 20 years, and serving a diverse, growing community requires strategic thinkers, norm breakers, and passionate civil servants. In Niagara, Welland’s growth leads every other municipality, and the City is becoming the region’s heartbeat. So, we invite you to author your chapter and contribute to the overall body of work the City of Welland is creating. At the City of Welland, your ideas are nurtured, your input is invited, a healthy work‑life balance is available, and most importantly, your voice will make a difference. So, if that sounds like something you want to be a part of, we want to hear from you. We’re ready when you are.

About the Position

The Manager of Economic Development is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing new business opportunities in alignment with the organization’s strategic goals. Reporting directly to the Director of Economic Development and Strategic Initiatives, the Manager will play a critical role in driving the growth and success of the city.

Duties & Responsibilities

• -Conduct market research and analysis to identify potential customers, industry trends, and competitive landscape.
• -Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners, and potential clients.
• -Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to develop tailored solutions that meet the needs of clients and drive business growth.
• -Stay up to date on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to inform business development strategies.
• -Identify and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, such as local businesses, industry leaders, and government agencies, to promote economic development initiatives.
• -Implement strategic business development plans to attract new businesses to the city and support existing businesses in their growth and expansion efforts.
• -Work closely with economic development partners to create a supportive business environment that facilitates growth, innovation, and job creation.
• -Collaborate with the marketing and communications team to promote the city as a competitive and attractive destination for businesses.
• -Represent the organization at business conferences, networking events, and other industry gatherings to promote economic development opportunities within the region.
• -Forster trust with businesses, identify potential issues and when necessary, elevate them to senior management for early risk mitigation.
• -Seek out, apply for, and manage grants and sponsorships to help fund economic development initiatives.
• -Respond to enquiries and provide status reports on current leads; share and coordinate with Planning and Building divisions.
• -Maintain a current inventory of available land and space. Identify, track and project demands, trends and issues related to supply of available industrial and commercial supply and work interdepartmentally to identify ways of delivering the required supply in the appropriate configurations/locations.
• -Encourage business growth and job creation, by actively promoting the full range of support, information, and advice available to businesses in the municipality.
• -Participate in team Niagara meetings, task forces and roundtables. Maintain strong relationships with employers, educational institutions, and other regional partners to ensure key workforce services are available.
• -Connect employers with workforce service providers and educational institutions and organize networking and educational events. Maintain strong connection with youth and young adults to ensure long term health of workforce.
• -Support small businesses by providing guidance, resources, and incentives to help the businesses thrive.
• -Manages the preparation, assembly, and dissemination of data and analysis, in support of the local economy. Manages research, projects, and studies relate to economic trends, sectors, industries, and funding sources/incentives.
• -Reports on economic development projects, investment opportunities and economic development support programs to the Director of Economic Development and Strategic Initiatives.

What you need to Succeed...

• -A University Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or similar, or equivalent in experience and education.
• -Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience including experience in managerial capacity, preferably in a Municipal Government setting, or a similar type of public sector organization.
• -Ec.D. Certification from Economic Development Association of Canada (EDAC).
• -Valid passport and ability to travel within and outside of the province and country, to support economic development initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and business attraction efforts.
• -Strong knowledge of marketing, and communications strategies.
• -Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience with proposal writing.
• -Excellent interpersonal with the ability to interact courteously, diplomatically, and tactfully with employees, officials, members of the public and members of Council.
• -Strong organizational skills to ensure proper work planning and scheduling, as well as the ability to expedite issues to promote effectiveness and efficiency.
• -Well‑developed computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Office Suite, and a strong working knowledge of relevant software programs.
• -Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to attend meetings, events, conferences, and business development activities as required.

Salary and Benefit Information

$110,059-$128,754 (2026 rates)

Why Choose Welland?

OMERS Pension: Secure your future with an OMERS pension, one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans. To learn more visit https://www.omers.com/.
Five Wellness days: We understand the importance of mental and physical well‑being. That’s why we offer five wellness days that can be taken in succession, giving you the opportunity to recharge, rejuvenate, and prioritize self‑care when you need it most.
Adaptable and generous benefits package: Your health and happiness matter to us. That’s why we offer a flexible and generous benefits package. From medical and dental coverage to additional perks, we’ve got you covered, ensuring you and your loved ones receive the care and support you deserve.
Flexible work arrangements: We believe in work‑life harmony, and that means something different to each of us. Embrace flexibility with our assortment of work arrangements, including hybrid, condensed work weeks, and flexible schedules. Whether you thrive in a traditional office setting or prefer the comfort of your home office, we empower you to tailor your work environment to suit your needs.
Fair‑market value salary: We recently conducted a comprehensive compensation review to ensure our pay aligned with current market values and fairly reflected the skills and contributions of our team. This process involved industry benchmarking and employee feedback to maintain competitive and equitable compensation.

Corporation of the City of Welland | 60 East Main Street | Welland, ON | L3B 3X4 | welland.ca