Manager Strategic Growth Services - Jobs in Niagara, ON

Job Description

DivisionEconomic DevelopmentImportant Notices & AmendmentsAs 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 including hybrid work arrangements to support better work-life balance for our employees. Where operational needs align, and while ensuring business requirements and customer service expectations are achieved, employees may have an opportunity to work within a hybrid model, combining working from home and working in the office.About UsServing 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.Please note that the Niagara Region requires that all newly hired employees are to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of being hired and provide proof of full vaccination, or provide proof of a bona fide medical or Human Rights Code exemption on a form issued from and approved by Niagara Region.Job DescriptionJob SummaryReporting to the Associate Director, Economic Development, the Manager Strategic Growth Services is responsible for promoting and enhancing growth for the Region using a targeted approach aimed at different economic sectors including identifying emerging sectors, facilitating sector retention and development and expansion focused strategies. Undertakes activities and fosters partnerships that support the development of Niagara as location of choice for investment/trade, enterprise, and growth.Education

• Post-secondary degree in Business Administration, Economics, and Economic Development, Public Administration or equivalent related field of study. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Master’s degree level in Business Administration, Economics, and Economic Development, Public Administration or equivalent related field of study is preferred.

Knowledge

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in the following areas:
  • Coordination and implementation of economic/business development activities.
  • Sales development and results.
  • Facilitating partnerships among business, academic and government/agency stakeholders to support economic development.
  • Managing projects of various size, scope and complexity.
  • Principles and practices of community planning, land use/growth management concepts, infrastructure improvement planning and capital facilities budgeting.
  • Federal/Provincial legislation, policy and programs related to business development, innovation and growth.
  • Municipal government organizations and functions.
• Working towards a Certified Economic Developer designation – either IEDC approved CEcD., or ECAD approved (Ec.D.)
• Certified Economic Developer is preferred.
• Recognized Project Management professional (PMP) designation is preferred.

ResponsibilitiesEnhance the local and international competitiveness of the Region’s key economic clusters, facilitate sector retention, development and expansion, attract investment and implement strategies to stimulate economic growth (40% of time)

• Provides advice and support to senior management in the public and private sector related to enhancing competitiveness and growth.
• Leads and promotes creativity and collaboration to enhance and grow the reputation of the Region as a location of choice for investment/trade, enterprise, and growth.
• Manages the preparation and implementation of comprehensive sector development and sector-specific strategies, operational plans and programs, and recommends policies to stimulate economic growth and job creation.
• Maintains awareness of proceedings at Regional and Municipal Councils to identify new initiatives, programs, and procedures passed or discussed and their significance to Economic Development.
• Participates in exercises designed to streamline the development and related approval processes.
• Works with staff in other Regional departments and Local Municipalities to improve business/development approval/regulating processes and provide assistance to employers and compare business practices.
• Participates in the development of economic development strategies, objectives and long range plans for a unified economic development and investment attraction program.

Manages and delivers client services programs, initiatives, business outreach, Business Improvement Area (BIA) management, and activities including providing information and advice aimed at supporting businesses that grow new emerging economic sectors, and retain and expand on existing economic sectors. (20% of time).

• Acts as a primary contact and expeditor for business attraction.
• Acts as primary contact for Gateway CIP applications and Industrial Development Charge Grants.
• Assists businesses and developers in the navigation of the development approvals process and other regulating processes in the region applicable to building/facility expansion, employment land development and new building/facility construction development/ redevelopment of employment lands within Niagara.
• Develops custom reports for potential new or expanding businesses that highlight Niagara as a Region of choice.
• 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 match potential business and industrial development with area resources available immediately.
• Prepares Council reports, business cases, terms of reference documents for tender, requests for proposals and other documents as required.
• Interacts on a regular basis with Regional/Municipal departments concerning land use amendments and infrastructure plans.
• Collaborates for the purposes of information collection, data analysis and policy formulation regarding land development patterns supportive of economic development.

Internal/External Relations (15% of time)

• Participate in the development and implementation of region-wide-strategies, structures, systems and policies as a member of the Economic Development Team; Region, Local Area Municipalities, Provincial and Federal Ministries.
• Assist private enterprise and community agencies to resolve community needs that have direct bearing on economic development attraction.
• Work directly with potential and existing investors, and in close collaboration with local economic development offices and region municipalities.
• Act as a liaison with Local Municipal Economic Development and Planning departments on major employment land proposals.
• Respond to and resolve sensitive inquiries, complaints and issues from both internal and external sources.
• Provide advice and guidance to Regional Departments, Local Area Municipalities, Provincial and Federal Ministries and the community on services, policies and strategies as required.
• Encourage cooperation between private enterprise and public agencies to increase their workforce training and placement programs for generation of jobs.
• Participate in several external and industry committees representing the needs of the Region and advancing common goals and objectives.

Initiate and champion special projects for sector specific development, based on current environment, often in partnership with external organizations. Manage all aspects of the development and implementation of economic and business development initiatives, managing project life cycle activities (15% of time)

• Define project scope, goals, success criteria and deliverables that support economic development goals in collaboration with project team and key internal/external stakeholders.
• Communicate project expectations to team members and stakeholders, liaising on an ongoing basis to manage expectations.
• Plan and schedule project timelines and milestones using appropriate tools.
• Track project milestones and deliverables.
• Determine the frequency and content of status reports from the project team, analyzing results and troubleshooting problem areas.
• Report project status, including project KPI’s to stakeholders.
• Monitor and track project costs, schedules, resources, risks, issues, and performance to ensure the optimal success.

Financial Accountability. Develops, manages and administers annual and multi-year operating budgets for the operating unit ensuring support of Council’s objectives, financial transparency and accountability, monitoring budget adherence, identifying and explaining variances and financial reporting is effectively managed in compliance with corporate financial policies. Ensure goods and services are acquired in accordance with the procurement policy. Authorize, and administer the acquisition of goods and services for the operating unit and direct reports in accordance with the procurement policy and procedures. (10% of time)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.
• Must maintain ability to travel in a timely manner to other offices, work locations or sites as authorized by the Corporation for business reasons.
• 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 StatementUncover 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.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 ext. 3252 or 1-800-263-7215
• Bell Relay: 1-800-855-0511
• In-person: Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON L2V 4T7 – Human Resources Department

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