Manager Economic Development

Position Details

• Job Category Economic Development, Arts & Culture
• Division & Section Economic Development & Culture, Economic Development
• Work Location City Hall
• Job Type & Duration Full-time, 1 Permanent Vacancy
• Shift Information Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Posting Period 09-SEP-2026 to 30-SEP-2026

Join Us

If you are interested in learning more about the Manager Economic Development role in the Economic Development & Culture Division, you can participate in a virtual Teams webinar information session on September 17, 2026, from 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions related to the position, working with the City of Toronto’s Economic Development & Culture Division, as well as the City’s application process.

Please Register Here:

Your name and email are required to register but will remain private during the session. Attendance is optional but encouraged.

Information session attendance is limited, and registration closes once capacity is reached.

A disabled registration link means the session is full.

There will only be one information session for the posted position.

Job Summary

The Manager, Economic Development will lead the Business Improvement Area (BIA) Office in the Economic Development & Culture division.

Toronto is the birthplace of BIAs and is home to the largest number of BIAs of any city in North America. They are a critical component to Toronto’s local economy and yet are facing incredible challenges and encountering increasingly complex issues. The 10-year Action Plan for Toronto’s Economy has identified ‘Strong Main Streets’ as a priority for the City and specifically sets an ambitious goal of growing the number of BIAs from 85 to 125 by 2035. We are looking for a Manager to lead the BIA office team through this period of change and growth, including the implementation of a new growth plan and accountability model that will support the sector to navigate historic and emerging issues.

The successful candidate will provide leadership in the areas of:

• People leadership: You are a seasoned people leader with an ability to motivate a group of professionals within a unionized environment. You are a champion of creating a culture that supports teamwork, innovation, and service excellence.
• Political acumen: You have a strong ability to navigate and understand complex political contexts and power dynamics. You are as comfortable in front of members of Council as you are speaking with small business owners.
• Emotional intelligence & conflict resolution: You collaborate well with diverse audiences and excel at bringing together differing opinions towards a common goal. You have empathy for the BIAs and are not afraid to roll up your sleeves to help solve a problem.
• Relationship-building and communication: You communicate well with diverse audiences, with an ability to clarify complex processes and build relationships with business owners, BIAs, elected officials and senior leadership.
• Governance: Your experience of working with BIAs or other non-profit board of directors gives you an strong grasp of board governance.
• Change management: You lead teams through change effectively, bringing people together around a common vision, helping them navigate new priorities, processes, and ways of working. You build trust, foster buy-in, and support teams and stakeholders through periods of transition to support successful outcomes.

Major Responsibilities

• Develops and implements detailed plans and recommends policies regarding program-specific requirements. Develops BIA Offices goals and objectives to align with the overall strategic planning of the Section and Division.
• Manages, motivates and trains the unit's staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, and continuous learning; and encourages innovation in others.
• Manages the day to day operation of all assigned staff including the scheduling, assigning and reviewing of work. Authorizes and controls vacation and overtime requests. Monitors and evaluates staff performance, approves salary increments and recommends disciplinary action when necessary.
• Develops, recommends and administers the annual budgets for the unit, and ensures that the unit's expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
• Cultivates a culture of continuous improvement within the Unit, evaluating program delivery on an ongoing basis in consultation with staff, senior management, service users and partners, and implementing and managing change to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Improves the operating performance of contracted and other service partners by providing professional advice, conflict resolution, administrative support, issue management, and leadership.
• Provides leadership on and develops strategies for the implementation of a new growth plan and accountability model that will support the sector to navigate historic and emerging issues.
• Ensures excellent customer service is provided to both internal and external customers.
• Ensures that programs and services are current and relevant, by conducting periodic reviews of program goals and objectives, operating procedures and annual budgets.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals in accordance with the City's policies and procedures and manages evaluation and selection processes and contracts with suppliers.
• Supports revenue-generating programs (e.g. grants, sponsorship, fees), where applicable, to achieve budget goals within City guidelines.
• Participates collaboratively with management in the Division and other Divisions in advancing relevant Divisional and Corporate strategies. Provides leadership and advice to senior management on economic development issues, equity and inclusion, and operations.
• Manages and resolves emerging issues and councillor inquiries. Represents the Division and builds positive relationships with Council and stakeholders in support of the City's economic development opportunities and challenges.