Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Community Growth and Infrastructure, the Economic Development Officer (EDO) is the City's primary resource for business retention, expansion, and long-term investment attraction. The EDO develops and implements strategies that grow Chestermere's commercial and industrial tax base, support existing businesses, and position the City as a premier destination for sustainable investment in the Calgary Metropolitan Region. This role serves as the key liaison between City administration, Council, the business community, the Chamber of Commerce, and regional and provincial economic development partners.

Key Accountabilities

Among other duties as assigned from time to time, the following are the key accountabilities for this position:

Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) — Primary Focus

• Design, implement, and manage a structured Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) strategy and program, including regular business visitation and needs assessments.
• Build and maintain a database of existing businesses, tracking key metrics (employment, growth plans, challenges) to proactively identify retention risks and expansion opportunities.
• Act as the primary point of contact for businesses experiencing barriers to growth and connect them to appropriate municipal, provincial, and federal programs and resources.
• Develop and implement a "Buy Local / Shop Local" program and coordinate Small Business Week and other business support events.
• Liaise with and provide support to the local Chamber of Commerce to strengthen the overall business ecosystem.

Investment Attraction & Long-Term Development

• Develop and execute an investment attraction strategy targeting commercial, industrial, and mixed-use sectors aligned with the City's land use and growth plans.
• Prepare and maintain a current investment-ready package (community profile, available land inventory, demographic and economic data, incentive programs) for distribution to prospects, leads, and site selectors.
• Respond to investor and developer inquiries in a timely, professional manner and facilitate site tours, due diligence support, and introductions to relevant City departments.
• Represent the City at trade shows, investment conferences, real estate forums, and industry networking events to build the City's investment profile.
• Develop and maintain relationships with commercial real estate brokers, developers, site selectors, and industry associations.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to grow the City's non-residential tax base through targeted sector strategies (e.g., light industrial, professional services, retail, agri-business).

Research, Strategy & Reporting

• Lead the development and regular updating of the City's Economic Development Strategy and annual work plan.
• Prepare sector analyses, labour market profiles, commercial vacancy reports, and quarterly economic briefs for Council.
• Monitor regional and provincial economic trends and assess implications for Chestermere's growth trajectory.
• Gather and maintain current community and economic data for use in marketing, planning, and investment materials.
• Respond to data requests from internal and external stakeholders.

Marketing & Communications

• Maintain and continuously improve the City's business and investment website content and collateral materials.
• Develop and coordinate digital marketing, social media, and communications strategies for economic development initiatives.
• Coordinate production of investment-ready marketing materials, including community profiles, sector one-pagers, and land inventory maps.
• Build and leverage media relationships to promote Chestermere's economic development wins and opportunities.

Grants, Partnerships & Stakeholder Relations

• Identify, apply for, and manage provincial and federal grant funding to support economic development initiatives and programs.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with Alberta Municipalities, Invest Alberta, Calgary Regional Partnership, Alberta Economic Development, Trade and Tourism, and relevant federal agencies.
• Act as the City Representative for the Invest Greater Calgary (IGC) Advisory Board.
• Network with economic development peers in neighbouring municipalities and participate in regional economic development initiatives.
• Participate in the City's emergency management planning as a member of the Chestermere Emergency Response Team.

Administration & Governance

• Prepare and manage the economic development operating budget, including forecasting, monitoring, and reporting.
• Participate in the development and review of relevant City policies and bylaws.
• Prepare Council reports, briefing notes, and presentations as required.
• Maintain confidentiality of all sensitive City, business, and investor information.
• Uphold the City's Health & Safety Management System and participate in workplace safety initiatives.

Required Education & Experience

• University degree in Economic Development, Business Administration, Commerce, Urban Planning, Marketing, or a related discipline and a minimum of 5 years of progressive economic development, business development, or investment attraction experience; OR
• Diploma in a related discipline and a minimum of 10 years of progressive, directly relevant experience.
• Experience in a municipal government or public sector setting is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record in business retention & expansion programs and/or investment attraction is highly desirable.

Required Certifications & Documentation

• Valid Class 5 Alberta Driver's Licence with a satisfactory recent Driver's Abstract.
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check.

Preferred Certifications

• Economic Development designation (Ec.D.) from the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) — strongly preferred or commitment to pursue.
• Membership or eligibility for membership in the Economic Developers Alberta (EDA).

Required Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of municipal land use, planning processes, and development approval workflows.
• Knowledge of commercial and industrial real estate markets, site selection criteria, and investment decision-making factors.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Working knowledge of digital marketing, social media platforms, and website content management systems.
• Ability to analyze and interpret economic, demographic, and market data and translate findings into clear, actionable reports.
• Experience identifying and writing provincial/federal grant applications.

Core Competencies

• Proven relationship-builder with the ability to engage credibly with business owners, developers, investors, elected officials, and senior administrators.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to prepare compelling presentations, reports, and investment materials.
• Strategic thinker with strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and political acuity in a municipal environment.
• Self-motivated and entrepreneurial mindset — comfortable working independently and taking initiative.
• Strong negotiation and facilitation skills.
• Genuine commitment to community economic growth and long-term sustainability.

Working Conditions

• Office-based with regular travel within Chestermere and the Calgary region; occasional provincial and national travel for trade shows and conferences.
• Some evening hours required for Council, committee, and community meetings.
• Regular public and stakeholder interaction.
• May be called upon during community emergencies as part of the Emergency Response Team.

Compensation

Salary ranges from $125,000.00 to $135,000.00

Note: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities.