Senior Economic Development Officer Town of Milton

Economic Developers Council of Ontario; Milton; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

OMERS pension

Paid time off

Discounts for Active Living Pass and e

Hybrid work options

Compressed work week

Job summary

The Town of Milton is seeking a Senior Economic Development Officer to provide strategic guidance and lead economic development priorities within the Executive Services team. You will drive sector strategies, market intelligence, marketing for InvestMilton, and partnerships that advance investment, retention, and growth in Milton.

Reporting to the Manager of Economic Development, you will oversee business growth, market analysis, and digital engagement, coordinating with Halton Region and local

Qualifications

• Degree in Urban/Economic Geography, Business, Marketing, Public Administration, Economics, Environmental Studies or Planning.
• 7 years of experience in Economic Development or related field.
• Post-secondary training in Digital Marketing or Digital Data Tools and Analysis used in Economic Development considered an asset
• Previous experience developing and implementing Economic Development strategies and action plans
• Demonstrated business development and client relationship management experience, with the ability to establish, cultivate, and maintain productive relationships with business leaders, investors, developers, site selectors, industry associations, and community partners to advance Economic Development objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead investment attraction, retention and expansion initiatives.
• Develop and implement innovation programming and entrepreneurial initiatives, including pursuing business and development leads and opportunities with owners, executives, developers and site selectors to promote Milton.
• Act as the primary point of contact for businesses, investors, developers, entrepreneurs, and site selectors.
• Develop, review and lead business retention initiatives and maintain strong relationships with local business leaders.
• Provide direction and advice to investors, developers, contractors and businesses navigating planning and building processes, and resolve issues through cross-departmental collaboration.
• Lead business development, retention activities, inquiries, active files, and reports on outcomes and metrics.
• Builds and fosters relationships with the innovation ecosystem, consultants, government representatives, institutions and other community organizations / local bodies to drive Economic Development goals.
• Active problem-solving with Town staff, Halton Region and external agencies to resolve issues for existing businesses.
• Develop and implement sector-related programs and initiatives to attract and grow businesses.
• Foster relationships and drive partner activities with Halton Region Small Business Centre and Innovation Factory and other organizations on matters pertaining to business support, investment attractions, data projects, and events.
• Contributes data to CRM database (Executive Pulse) including leads and inquiries for economic development projects.
• Leads meetings, event coordination and represents the Town at industry events.

Skills

Business development

Client relationship management

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in Urban/Economic Geography, Business, Marketing, Public Administration, Economics, Environmental Studies or Planning

Master’s in Urban/Economic Geography, Business, Public Administration, Economics, Environmental Studies or Planning

Ec.D or related certification

Tools

PowerBI

Costar

GIS

WordPress

CRM systems

Lightcast

ZoomProspector

Job description

Town of Milton

Job Title: Senior Economic Development Officer

Executive Services

About Milton

Join one of Ontario’s fastest-growing and most dynamic municipalities. The Town of Milton is proud to deliver high-quality, sustainable municipal services that support a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking community where residents thrive, businesses succeed, and nature is respected and protected.

Our vision is to foster a safe, diverse, and welcoming environment—one that honours its natural landscapes and rich heritage, supports thriving and inclusive neighbourhoods, nurtures a strong and balanced economy, and offers exceptional opportunities to live, learn, work, and play.

About InvestMilton

InvestMilton is the Town dedicated economic development division and Milton’s economic engine — leading businesses and investors to real opportunities on the ground. The team is focused on supporting business growth, investment attraction, innovation, economic research, and strategic partnerships that advance Milton’s economic prosperity.

What We Offer?

This position is eligible for the following:

• Annual Salary Range: $99,994 – $124,994
• Benefits: Regular full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefit package, with all premiums paid by the Town, an Employee Assistance Program, top-up maternity/parental leave benefits and life insurance.
• Eligibility to participate in the OMERS pension plan
• Paid time off, including vacation, incidental and volunteer days
• Employee perks/discounts: Discount on Active Living Pass and Perkopolis
• Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work options and participation in the Town’s compressed work-week program (for eligible positions)
• For further details of what we offer, please visit Why Milton

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Economic Development, this position provides strategic insight and guidance, subject matter expertise, and project management support to advance key economic development priorities. Responsibilities include the development and enhancement of core economic development functions, including: sector strategies, market and data intelligence/ analysis, marketing/brand development, and strategic partnership activities that support investment attraction, business retention and expansion, and Milton’s long-term economic growth and competitiveness.

This position specifically serves as the division’s lead for:

1. Business growth, business retention and expansion (BR&E), and innovation ecosystem development;
2. Market intelligence, economic analysis, and competitiveness research; and
3. Economic development marketing, digital engagement, and growth of the InvestMilton brand.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Business Growth, Retention, Expansion & Innovation

• Leads implementation of investment attraction, retention and expansion initiatives, innovation ecosystem programming and entrepreneurial support in alignment with Milton’s Economic Strategic Plan
• Creates and implements effective innovation programming and entrepreneurial initiatives, including pursuing business and development leads and opportunities with owners, executives, developers and site selectors to promote Milton
• Acts as the primary point of contact for businesses, investors, developers, entrepreneurs, and site selectors.
• Develops, reviews and leads business retention initiatives and maintains strong relationships with local business leaders
• Provides direction and advice to investors, developers, contractors and businesses navigating planning and building processes, and resolves issues through cross-departmental collaboration, as required
• Leads business development, retention activities, inquiries, active files, and reports on outcomes and metrics
• Builds and fosters relationships with the innovation ecosystem, consultants, government representatives, institutions and other community organizations / local bodies to drive Economic Development goals
• Actively problem-solves with Town staff, Halton Region and other external agencies providing assistance and referrals that resolve issues for existing businesses
• Develops and implements sector-related programs and initiatives to attract and grow businesses
• Fosters relationships, consults and drives partner activities with Halton Region Small Business Centre and Innovation Factory, as well as other community organizations on matters pertaining to business support, investment attractions, local innovation programming, co-marketing campaigns, research and community data projects, and other various economic development activities/events
• Contributes data to customer relations management database (Executive Pulse) including contact information for leads, prospects, brokers and other representatives of properties and site selection inquiries for economic development projects and activities
• Leads meetings, event coordination and represents the Town at industry events, conferences, investment and trade initiatives, as required
• Collaborates with the departmental and corporate internal staff to support inquiries and special projects

Market Intelligence, Competitiveness & Economic Analysis

• Leads implementation of market intelligence plan and data strategy for division in alignment with Milton’s Economic Strategic Plan
• Develops economic reporting dashboard leveraging PowerBI and other similar digital tools to support Milton Economic Development Advisory Board Updates, Council and internal memos, reports, presentations and events
• Works with EDO’s to conduct ongoing research, analysis and monitoring of key data to support reporting across various channels and on InvestMilton’s Digital Data Hub
• Develops robust investment pipeline tracking/reporting for inquiries, active files, leads, opportunities and outcomes
• Identifies, monitors, and analyzes investment and business leasing, and sales activities, as well as data within the community available digital tools – Costar, MGIS, etc.
• Undertakes trends analysis and visual storytelling using economic, community, demographic and development data to support key initiatives that enhance Milton’s value propositions and competitiveness
• Establishes, cultivates and maintains strategic relationships essential to intelligence gathering, local market intel and ongoing analysis
• Monitors key economic indicators, including non-residential data, real estate and market trends.
• Prepares reports and updates using internal growth forecasts, investment pipeline activity, sector dynamics and market trends for Manager and leadership teams
• Analyzes and monitors performance metrics, tracks results to achieve objectives -making adjustments throughout the year as needed
• Prepares Council reports, presentations and briefing materials for the Chief Administration Office, Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives, and Manager, Economic Development

Economic Development Action Plan & InvestMilton Digital Marketing Assets

• Implements annual Digital Asset & Marketing Strategy for InvestMilton, as division’s subject matter expert – working with division EDOs and Corporate Communications team
• Develops and contributes content, property information, key data and business stories for InvestMilton digital channels with help from departmental staff
• Develops key narratives as subject matter expert for marketing and promotional materials that drive investment opportunities and support the knowledge-based economy
• Manages all website content with help from EDO’s, including property listings, community statistics/data, business support resources and digital mapping tools with help of departmental staff
• Leads the development and implementation of annual Economic Development Action Plan and facilitates activities, initiatives, events and partnerships required to forward the goals of Milton’s Economic Strategy
• Monitors and analyzes performance metrics to assess progress against the Economic Strategy and Action Plans, identifies opportunities for improvement, and adjusts activities as needed to achieve objectives
• Project manages creation of the Economic Development Annual Report and supports development of other key marketing and digital promotional materials that advance divisional strategic objectives

Corporate, Strategic & Financial Support

• Tracks and forecasts non-residential development in collaboration with Planning department to aid in determining the anticipated non-residential impacts for corporate budget and annual reporting
• Represents Economic Development at quarterly variance meetings, as back-up for Manager, if required

Minimum Qualifications

• Degree in Urban/Economic Geography, Business, Marketing, Public Administration, Economics, Environmental Studies or Planning
• 7 years of experience in Economic Development or related field
• Post-secondary training in Digital Marketing or Digital Data Tools and Analysis used in Economic Development considered an asset
• Previous experience developing and implementing Economic Development strategies and action plans
• Demonstrated business development and client relationship management experience, with the ability to establish, cultivate, and maintain productive relationships with business leaders, investors, developers, site selectors, industry associations, and community partners to advance Economic Development objectives.
• Proven ability to manage complex multi-stakeholder relationships, identifying opportunities, influencing decision-making, and delivering exceptional client service to support business attraction, retention, expansion, and investment outcomes.
• Strong communication skills including preparation and delivery of presentations and reports
• Excellent business advisory, facilitation, and meeting management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent project management and organizational skills
• Proficiency with data dashboard creation and reporting of market intelligence, as well as the ability to leverage digital real estate assets and channels to promote Milton – i.e. Lightcast, PowerBI, Costar, ZoomProspector, etc.
• Experience with industry relevant GIS and digital mapping tools
• Experience with CRM systems/dashboard for tracking and monitoring investment pipeline and local data
• Knowledge of key branding and marketing tools and tactics for Economic Development, including, but not limited to, web writing, SEO knowledge, digital content creation expertise
• Proficiency with WordPress websites, and digital media strategies for investment attraction and business retention

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s in Urban/Economic Geography, Business, Public Administration, Economics, Environmental Studies or Planning
• Certified Economic Developer (Ec.D)
• Knowledge of Municipal Act, Planning Act, and related legislation

Note to Applicants

This posting is for an existing job vacancy. Interviews will be conducted in-person. This recruitment process may include a second-round interview.

The Town is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, accessible, and respectful workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and are dedicated to fair and transparent hiring practices.

We thank all who apply, however only those selected to move forward in the process will be contacted.

Accommodations

Should you be selected to participate in the recruitment process, please inform Human Resources of any accommodations you may require. We will work with you to ensure your full participation in the process.