Division

Economic Development

Important Notices & Amendments

This position currently falls within our hybrid model**, allowing the employee to** typically work a minimum of 50% of your time at your regular work location and the other 50% of time at home.

As an employer of choice, Niagara Region offers competitive salaries and benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, a corporate wellness centre, access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), mentorship and training programs, employee recognition programs, and more. In addition, the Region recognizes the value of having flexible work arrangements to support better work-life balance for our employees. Hybrid work arrangements may vary from one employee to another and may also differ in the number of remote workdays. These opportunities remain subject to the alignment of operational needs, business requirements, and customer service expectations.

Temporary Duration

Approximate Duration: 12 months

About Us

Serving a diverse urban and rural population of more than 475,000, Niagara Region is focused on building a strong and prosperous Niagara. Working collaboratively with 12 local area municipalities and numerous community partners, the Region delivers a range of high-quality programs and services to support and advance the well-being of individuals, families and communities within its boundaries. Nestled between the great lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara peninsula features some of Canada’s most fertile agricultural land, the majesty of Niagara Falls and communities that are rich in both history and recreational and cultural opportunities. Niagara boasts dynamic modern cities, Canada’s most developed wine industry, a temperate climate, extraordinary theatre, and some of Ontario’s most breathtaking countryside. An international destination with easy access to its binational U.S. neighbour New York State, Niagara attracts over 14 million visitors annually, as well as a steady stream of new residents and businesses.

At Niagara Region, we value diversity - in background and experience. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aspire to hire and grow a workforce reflective of the diverse community we serve. By doing so, we can deliver better programs and services across Niagara.

We welcome all applicants! For more information about diversity, equity, and inclusion at Niagara Region, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Niagara Region, Ontarioor email related questions to diversity@niagararegion.ca. To send input on reducing barriers in the current hiring process, please email myhr@niagararegion.ca

For the Region's full employee equity statement, Working at Niagara Region - Niagara Region, Ontario.

Don’t have every qualification?

You may be hesitant to apply if you do not have every qualification listed in the posting. While specific qualifications are important for certain roles, we invite individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience and education to apply. Our recruiters will evaluate your suitability for the role.

Please note that for unionized roles, we must follow collective agreement requirements. However, we encourage all interested candidates to submit their applications. We believe success in a role can extend beyond meeting every single requirement.

Job Description

Job Summary

Salary Under Review

Reporting to the Manager, Trade & Investment the Economic Development Officer (EDO), Trade & Investment is responsible for implementing, monitoring and reporting on economic initiatives in support of Niagara Region’s Foreign Direct Investment activities, and Business Development and Expedited Services. In addition, this role serves as the Foreign Trade Zone Coordinator; and supports the Foreign Direct Investment program through follow-up research and client maintenance; and undertakes activities and supports partnerships that enhance the development of Niagara as location of choice for investment/trade, enterprise and growth.

Education

• Post-secondary degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Economics, Economic Development, and Marketing, Public Administration or equivalent related field of study. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Knowledge

• Minimum of 3 years of progressive experience implementing economic/business development activities; and supporting partnerships among business, academic and government/agency stakeholders.
• Municipal sector experience is considered an asset.
• Understanding of Municipal government organization and functions.
• One of the following qualifications (or equivalent) is preferred: Certified Economic Developer (Ec.D.) from the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC), or Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council.
• Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of branding, marketing and sales, community planning, land use/growth management concepts, infrastructure improvement planning and capital facilities budgeting.
• Experience working with Federal/Provincial legislation, policy and programs related to business development, investment/trade, enterprise, innovation and growth.

Responsibilities

Provides support and implementation of a range of services, initiatives, programs and activities related to Foreign Direct Investment. (45% of time)

• Coordinates business outreach, foreign direct investment activities, local economic development, project facilitation, community economic development social enterprise development, workforce development and special projects.
• Acts as the main point of contact for the Niagara Foreign Trade Zone and supports the Foreign Direct Investment Program through client contact and customized research.
• Researches and identifies recruitment prospects and generates direct corporate business leads and prospects for the Manager, Trade & Investment
• Identifies and implements new technologies for lead management and follow-up
• Develops customer reports for potential new or expanding businesses that show what Niagara has to offer.
• Collects and provides information necessary to satisfy each prospect’s request for facts and information in the form of standard marketing materials and/or custom reports.
• Evaluates programs which would couple the immediately available resources of the area with potential business and industrial development.
• Researches and prepares Provincial and Federal funding submissions.
• Coordinates and/or attends recruitment events, trade shows and familiarization tours as Regional representative, marketing and prospecting business opportunities.
• Develops and creates reports and presentations and speaks before citizens’ and advisory groups/committees.

Manages the Niagara Foreign Trade Zone (NFTZ) program, engaging with key stakeholders to facilitate program planning, execution, monitoring and reporting of the Foreign Trade Zone’s goals and objectives: (25% of time)

• Develops the NFTZ annual plan and budget in consultation with the Manager, Trade & Investment.
• Ensures program strategy is aligned with the Economic Development Strategy as well as the Trade and Investment work plan and consults with the Manager Trade and Investment regularly on program updates as well as potential investment opportunities.
• Communicates project expectations and strategies to team members and stakeholders, liaising with them on an ongoing basis to manage expectations.
• Manages day-to-day activities, resources, equipment and information related to managing of projects.
• Stays current on trends and changes to the Federal Programs and trade agreements, to ensure the strategies executed continue to be aligned and provide the best outcomes.
• Reviews processes to identify bottlenecks, risks and opportunities and look for strategic insights.
• Maintains and creates relationships with those companies within the Niagara Region who meet certain criteria, as exporters or potential exporters, to participate in the NFTZ Program.
• Plans, coordinates and facilitates a program of seminars for interested employers to further promote the NFTZ Program in an attempt to increase participation with the Programs.
• Collaborates with the Manager, Strategic Marketing to position branding and marketing of the NFTZ, designation as a competitive advantage for locating in Niagara.
• Manages programing for inward trade missions coming to Niagara where there are identified opportunities for local companies.
• Supports the Manager, Trade and Investment with any investment leads that may come as a result of working with NFTZ clients.
• Promotes the program to local companies, including testimonials from successful applicants in Niagara, through networking, presentations and seminars.

Delivers services to Local Area Municipalities in economic development, encompassing business attraction, innovation, entrepreneurship, advocacy, business expeditor activities and new enterprise development. (10% of time)

• Develops and manages relationships with shared service partners, ensuring strategies, projects and initiatives are executed and economic development performance expectations are fulfilled.
• Collaborates with shared service partners to assist private enterprise and community agencies to resolve community needs that have direct bearing on economic development attraction.
• Collaborates and partners with shared service partners, industry stakeholders (7 Chambers of Commerce, Niagara Industrial Association and Homebuilders Association), academic institutions (Brock University, Niagara College and Niagara District School Boards) and Provincial/Federal governments to support economic development initiatives.
• Participates in several external and industry committees representing the needs of the shared service partners and advancing common goals and objectives.
• Provide support to shared service partners in responding to and resolving sensitive inquiries, complaints and issues from both internal and external sources.

Economic Development – Strategy & Planning. Participates business planning, strategic planning, research initiatives and performance management for specific initiatives in support of economic development. (10% of time)

• Participates in the development of economic development strategies, objectives and long range plans for a unified economic development attraction program.
• Contributes to strategic plan development by researching, implementing and evaluating program initiatives.
• Monitors and examines market conditions and emerging trends which may impact existing and potential economic development and recommend appropriate action(s).
• Evaluates and reports on the impact of government (all tiers) legislative, policy and program changes. Recommends potential risk mitigation.

Initiates and champions special projects based on current environment, often in partnership with external organizations. Manages and support development and implementation of economic and business development initiatives, managing project life cycle activities (10% of time)

• Defines project scope, goals, success criteria and deliverables that support economic development goals in collaboration with project team and key internal/external stakeholders.
• Communicates project expectations to team members and stakeholders, liaising on an ongoing basis to manage expectations.
• Plans and schedules project timelines and milestones using appropriate tools.
• Tracks project milestones and deliverables.
• Determines the frequency and content of status reports from the project team, analyzing results and troubleshooting problem areas.
• Reports project status, including project KPI’s to stakeholders.
• Monitors and tracks project costs, schedules, resources, risks, issues, and performance to ensure the optimal success.

Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned or required.

Special Requirements

• In accordance with the Corporate Criminal Record Check Policy, the position requires the incumbent to undergo a Criminal Records Check and submit a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate.
• Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values.

Closing Statement

Uncover the wonder of the Niagara Region and join a team dedicated to meeting tomorrow’s challenges TODAY!

Let us know why you would be an excellent team member by submitting your online application.

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

We confirm that we do not use AI in screening of applicants, and this position is an existing vacancy.

If you require an accommodation for the application process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the alternate formats for contacting us are as follows:

• Email: myhr@niagararegion.ca
• Phone: 905-980-6000 or 1-800-263-7215
• Bell Relay: 1-800-855-0511
• In-person: Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON L2V 4T7 – Human Resources Department