Officer, Economic Development - Byward Market 200

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Ottawa 200 Program Manager, the Economic Development Officer (EDO) is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and delivery of the ByWard Market 200 commemoration and related initiatives. The EDO serves as the City's lead for the ByWard Market 200 project, working collaboratively with internal City departments, the ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA), Ottawa Tourism, event producers, businesses, community organizations, cultural groups, and other stakeholders to deliver a successful and impactful celebration.

The EDO provides strategic leadership and project management support for commemorative programming, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, communications coordination, and event planning and execution. The position is responsible for fostering collaboration among partners, supporting advisory and working group engagement, and ensuring activities align with broader economic development, tourism, cultural, and community objectives.

The EDO plays a key role in advancing the vision for the ByWard Market 200 commemoration, developing partnerships and initiatives that celebrate the district's rich history, support economic vitality, and create meaningful experiences for residents and visitors.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of 4 year university degree, with a focus on courses relating to commerce, economics, public relations or related fields

Minimum of 5 years of related and progressively responsible professional work experience in areas such as public sector economic development, private sector business development, marketing, public relations, or project management.

Experience in governmental affairs

Entrepreneurial experience

Broad experience with private, public, non-profit and academic sector employment

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

KNOWLEDGE

• Structure and processes of government, including inter-governmental stakeholders
• Strong knowledge of the local economy, and of the local business and economic development environment
• A broad understanding of the various industry sectors and areas of economic development focus in the Ottawa region
• A broad understanding of the drivers of the knowledge based economy
• Practical knowledge of working in multiple sectors and in partnerships
• Exposure to international business trends and practices
• Project management principles and practices
• Applicable computer technology and tools
• General knowledge of the City’s growth plan and City building objectives and how economic developments fits into City building
• Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Municipal planning and development approvals processes
• Knowledge of applicable legislation, policies and practices, such as Municipal Act, Business Improvement Area legislation

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Able to represent and promote the City of Ottawa in economic and business development initiatives
• Able to work independently, with minimal direction, and collaboratively with all staff
• Able to manage a high volume of public contact, to lead multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder initiatives, and to organize and facilitate focus group consultation processes
• Able to advance the City’s Economic Development Strategy and related, approved City plans
• Demonstrated ability to think and act strategically
• Possess organizational skills and flexibility to deal effectively with multiple demands, conflicting priorities, pressures and deadlines
• Possess a client service focus tempered by the recognition of the need for compliance to corporate standards, formats and systems
• Able to develop and maintain excellent relations with representatives from other departments, partner organizations and outside agencies
• Able to influence and work collaboratively with others representing a wide range of interests and bring conflicting points of view to consensus
• Able to plan, lead, coordinate, implement and manage projects to completion and to lead/support/mentor project teams
• Monitor and synthesize information from a variety of sources to establish future directions, research and data collection needs
• Possess persuasive and assertive interpersonal and oral/written communication skills
• Possess strong documentation, report writing and presentation skills
• Research skills
• Business-oriented
• Possess a focus on quality of services, innovation and on-going process improvement
• Possess a positive, inclusive approach to project development and implementation