Economic Development & Tourism Manager - (26-059) - External Closes Aug 16/26
About The Position
The City of Campbell River is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and results-oriented professional to join our leadership team as Economic Development and Tourism Manager. Reporting to the Director of Economic Development and Indigenous Relations, this position plays a key role in advancing the City's economic vitality, tourism growth, investment readiness, destination development, and departmental priorities. The successful candidate will lead the implementation of economic development and tourism strategies, business retention and attraction initiatives, MRDT-supported tourism programs, annual work plans, and strategic projects that contribute to a vibrant and prosperous community. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader who enjoys building relationships, managing complex projects, and turning strategy into action. The Manager provides day-to-day leadership to staff, manages budgets and reporting requirements, monitors performance, secures external funding opportunities, and helps ensure the effective delivery of departmental initiatives. Working closely with businesses, Indigenous Nations, tourism partners, community organizations, senior governments, funding agencies, and internal departments, the Manager will help advance initiatives that strengthen Campbell River's economy, enhance visitor experiences, support local businesses, and create long-term community benefits. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and innovative professional with strong leadership skills, political acumen, and experience in economic development, tourism, local government, or a related field. They are comfortable working in a dynamic and politically sensitive environment, leading staff and projects, managing competing priorities, exercising sound judgment, and building meaningful relationships with diverse partners. As a key member of the Department leadership team, they bring initiative, accountability, and a solutions-focused mindset to support Council's vision and help shape Campbell River's future.
Requirements
- Post-secondary degree in economic development, commerce, marketing, public/business administration, tourism or a related field.
- Must possess and maintain a valid BC drivers’ licence as per City policy.
- Minimum of five (5) years’ recent, progressively responsible experience in economic development, tourism or closely related field.
- Minimum of three (3) years’ recent progressive supervisory experience, preferably in a unionized environment.
- Previous local government experience.
- Experience in destination marketing and promotion using multiple mediums and digital platforms.
- Experience in the development of departmental and corporate long-range plans as well as budget formulation and reporting processes.
- Experience working effectively with Indigenous communities.
Nice To Haves
- Certified Economic Developer (Ec.D.) designation or equivalent professional certification.
- Local Government Administration training or equivalent municipal leadership training.
- Experience administering or reporting on MRDT programs.
- Experience working with Destination BC, Destination Canada, or destination management organizations.
- Experience supporting Indigenous tourism initiatives, intergovernmental relations, or reconciliation-related programs.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in a local government environment.
Responsibilities
- Lead the implementation of economic development and tourism strategies.
- Lead business retention and attraction initiatives.
- Lead MRDT-supported tourism programs.
- Lead annual work plans and strategic projects.
- Provide day-to-day leadership to staff.
- Manage budgets and reporting requirements.
- Monitor performance.
- Secure external funding opportunities.
- Ensure the effective delivery of departmental initiatives.
- Advance initiatives that strengthen Campbell River's economy, enhance visitor experiences, support local businesses, and create long-term community benefits.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation: Salary range of $111,346 to $126,506 commensurate with experience.
- Attractive vacation package: 6 weeks in your 1st year, increasing to 7 weeks at the start of the 2nd year.
- Comprehensive benefits package: Extended health and dental coverage, a defined pension plan, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage.
- Work life balance: Flexible work options, including compressed work week schedules.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
