Industrial Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Specialist

The City of Edmonton is looking for an Industrial Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Specialist to join our Industrial Growth Hub team. This role, reporting to the Industrial Growth Hub Program Manager, will serve as the primary point of contact to provide direct support for the retention and expansion of industrial businesses located within Edmonton. This will involve assisting industrial businesses with challenges they are experiencing in relation to: continued successful business operation, expansion, and relocation within city limits.

This position will also directly support BRE activities for Indigenous, ethnocultural and all equity deserving industrial businesses within Edmonton. This will include leading the development and coordination of new programs both in the City and across the Edmonton economic ecosystem.

Individuals with a passion for economic development, a strong understanding of Edmonton’s existing industrial businesses, and a desire to positively influence Edmonton's future are encouraged to apply.

What will you do?

• Provide guidance and support to industrial businesses in understanding and navigating complex policies and processes both in the City and across Edmonton’s economic ecosystem to facilitate smooth industrial business operations
• Provide dedicated industrial support and customer service to Indigenous, ethnocultural and all equity deserving community members in navigating the industrial investment and development landscape
• Build new and maintain existing strategic relationships with industrial businesses, corporate decision-makers, business associations and industry leaders and establish and maintain an industrial business database
• Follow up with industrial businesses that have completed the permitting process, and maintain an annual contact for BRE support (i.e. aftercare)
• Conduct annual assessments with a diverse range of industrial businesses to understand their challenges, opportunities, and growth aspirations
• Connect industrial entrepreneurs and businesses with relevant programs, funding opportunities, and support services, such as grants, loans, mentorship, and training programs
• Serve as a champion, within the organization, for advancing work of the industrial growth hub by including and leveraging internal staff, resources, policies and programs
• Develop strategies and plans to support existing industrial businesses including the creation of process efficiencies to reduce red tape
• Work with organizations and agencies to lead the development of new and enhance existing industrial business support programs that foster industrial startups, encourage new industrial investors/land developers, and create resources to address the specific needs of underrepresented entrepreneurs, such as mentorship programs, business skills training, and on access to funding opportunities
• Actively work with Edmonton Global to connect Edmonton's industrial businesses with potential international partners, distributors, and international export programs
• Represent Edmonton's industrial sector at trade shows, conferences, speaking engagements, professional networks and business missions to network with potential investors, partners, and customers
• Contribute to and develop management briefings, reports and presentations on industrial economic metrics for various audiences
  
  
  

Qualifications:

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in Commerce, Economics, Urban Planning, Marketing, Business Administration or a related field
• Minimum of 4 years of progressive experience within a municipal or private industry setting, leading economic development, industrial land use planning and development, marketing, business retention and expansion and/or project management initiatives
  
  
  

Assets:

• Membership or eligibility for membership in a related professional accreditation would be an asset
• Experience working with industrial businesses in Edmonton
• Demonstrable experience in investment attraction
  
  
  

Skills required for success:

• Strong economic development knowledge covering a broad variety of topics including, comprehensive understanding of industrial sectors, municipal industrial growth, competitive pressures, issues and economic forecasts
• Detailed knowledge of policy development and their potential impact on land use, local industrial businesses, and business retention and expansion programs and services
• Understands relevant municipal, provincial and federal economic and environmental policies and strategies that impact industrial business operations and expansion
• Possesses advanced skills in building and maintaining strong relationships with industrial businesses, business organisations and other levels of government.
• Exhibits excellent communication, interpersonal and customer service skills with the ability to effectively convey information and ideas
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to analyze situations, identify solutions, and implement effective strategies
• Possesses strong project management skills including change management, performance measurement, policy development, business case development, strategic and business planning, and strong political acuity with the ability to plan, execute, and monitor projects effectively
• Exhibits strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to gather, interpret, and utilize data to inform decision-making
• Demonstrates proven leadership ability, with the capacity to initiate, execute, and oversee initiatives
• Possesses a strong focus on achieving results and delivering measurable outcomes
• Exhibits knowledge and awareness of the challenges and opportunities faced by Indigenous, ethnocultural and all equity deserving communities
• An ability to achieve results in the context of a respectful, inclusive and service-minded style
• Significant skill and ability with Google applications (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Gmail, etc.)
• Alignment to our Art of Inclusion: Our Diversity and Inclusion Framework
• A lignment to our Cultural Commitments
• Alignment to our Leadership Competencies
• Applicants may be tested
  
  
  

Conditions of employment:

• The successful candidate will be required to provide their own vehicle for City use and where appropriate, may be reimbursed according to City policy; this may require the successful applicant to obtain auto business use insurance
• Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s Licence (or provincial equivalent)
• Hire is dependent on a Criminal Records Check (CRC) security clearance that is satisfactory to the City of Edmonton and is a requirement of this position. There may be a cost associated with this requirement
  
  
  

Work Environment:

• The weekly hours of work for this position are currently under review and may change at a future time. Any changes will be made in accordance with the City of Edmonton/Civic Service Union 52 collective agreement and the incumbent will be notified in advance
• This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with the flexibility to work from both home and the worksite as per the Letter of Understanding between the City of Edmonton and Civic Service Union 52
  
  
  

The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about our benefits .

Up to 1 permanent full time position

Hours of Work: 33.75 hours per week

Salary Range: $51.171- $65.301 Hourly $90,150.51 - $115,044.04 Annually

Talent Acquisition Consultant: PO/MM

• Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.