Economic Development Officer

Cape Breton Partnership

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join Our Team as an Economic Development Officer! The Cape Breton Partnership is looking for a collaborative Economic Development Officer (EDO) to serve as our local anchor in Inverness County. As a key representative of the Partnership, you will build strong ties between local entrepreneurs, regional developers, municipal staff, and provincial/federal agencies. In this role, you will focus on supporting business retention, accelerating regional business growth, and protecting community interests through data-informed guidance. If you thrive in a community-facing role and want to work alongside a dedicated team passionate about regional development, we want you on our team. The ideal candidate will be based in or around Inverness County to effectively engage with the local communities and stakeholders. By joining our team, you will turn business inquiries into real-world economic action, directly helping local entrepreneurs launch, existing small businesses expand, and new developers invest in Inverness County. You will manage municipal priority initiatives that address regional economic resilience, housing readiness, tourism, and workforce development. Your work will modernize commercial land data and map out clear development pathways for future investors while strengthening the strategic delivery alliance between the Cape Breton Partnership, the Municipality of the County of Inverness, First Nations and local business networks.

Requirements

Post-secondary level education in a relevant discipline from a recognized academic institution, such as Business Administration, Commerce, Economics or similar designation, or equivalent experience.
Relevant experience in economic development, business development, community economic development, municipal government, planning or development, tourism development, commercial or residential development, real estate, investment attraction, entrepreneurship support, or a related field.
Knowledge of rural and regional economic development, business retention and expansion, investment attraction, entrepreneurship, municipal government, and the role of public-sector partners in enabling private-sector investment.
Working understanding of municipal planning, zoning, development approvals, infrastructure servicing, taxation, land-use frameworks, and the practical steps involved in moving a business or development inquiry forward.
Understanding of Inverness County and Cape Breton-Unama’ki economic opportunities, including tourism, culture, agriculture, fisheries and ocean-related activity, forestry, retail, real estate and development, creative industries, and innovation-based businesses.
Strong project management and contract management skills.
Ability to network with communities, businesses, economic development professionals and a wide variety of other organizations.
Attention to detail and solid planning skills while approaching a project.
Must be a self-starter, someone who takes initiative and has the ability to work effectively and efficiently with minimal direction.
Political acuity and sensitivity.
Strong English communication skills are required (verbal/written).
Exemplary presentation and analytical skills.
Strong computer skills (Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams and Zoom and other similar tools).
Positive attitude and proven interpersonal skills; must be tactful and able to exercise sound judgement and discretion when working or interacting with community leaders, diverse community groups, and all levels of government.
Valid Driver's License and access to a reliable vehicle is required.
Employment is conditional upon the successful completion and maintenance of a valid Criminal Record Check.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with elected officials, senior staff, businesses, community organizations, developers, and government partners would be considered an asset.
Certification or training in economic development, project management, planning, business analysis, public administration, community economic development, or a similar designation.
Experience using productivity and project-management software such as Monday.com, Microsoft 365, CRM systems, GIS/site databases, or similar tools.
Ability to provide service in French, Mi'kmaw, or another language relevant to Inverness County communities and investors.
Experience working in rural, coastal, tourism, Indigenous, Acadian, or small-business communities.
Knowledge of investment attraction, site selection, development-readiness, housing, workforce attraction, or newcomer retention.

Responsibilities

Act as the primary local navigator for entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners looking to launch, expand, or establish operations within the Inverness County region of the Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network (CBREN).
Engage regularly and systematically with existing local employers to identify sector-specific barriers, support workforce attraction or succession plans, and directly connect businesses to provincial, federal, and community funding programs.
Assist local business owners, project proponents, and developers in understanding local planning frameworks, municipal zoning, permitting, subdivisions, and utilities, while updating a commercial land database to support investor readiness.
Manage key economic development, housing readiness, and tourism infrastructure projects from research to completion, while providing data-informed updates and briefings to the CAO, organizational leadership, and Municipal Council during evening sessions.