Economic Development Officer (Temporary, up to 12 months)

Job Summary

Service Area: Infrastructure, Development, and Environment Department: Economic Development and Tourism Work Location: City Hall, 1 Carden Street Work Mode: Hybrid Job Type and Duration: Temporary, Full time Vacancy (up to 12 months) Position Availability: 1 existing vacant position Salary Range: $86,457.28 - $108,071.60 Affiliation: Non-Union Posting Period: October 23, 2026 to November 8, 2026 11:59 p.m.

When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of over 2000 employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment. As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialities within our organization.

Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

What we offer

We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees.

Many of our positions offer

Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service

Paid personal days;

Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching;

Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account;

Employee and Family Assistance Program;

Parental leave top up program;

Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance

Employee recognition programs.

Position Overview

The Economic Development Officer will be responsible for developing and leading economic development programs that enhance Guelph's position as a competitive and prosperous location for private and public investment that will positively contribute to the City's employment and non-residential tax base. Guided by the goals and objectives of the City’s Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Vision for an inclusive, connected and prosperous city.

Key duties and responsibilities

Create and implement viable programs that enhance Guelph's competitiveness, investment readiness and business climate, including employment survey program, visitation program, land and infrastructure planning and other related economic development projects.

Develop a working knowledge of key industry growth sectors in Guelph, identify prospective investment and expansion leads and follow up with outreach calls, visits, meetings and/or real estate tours.

Respond to requests for information and expansion inquiries and prepare responses in a timely manner.

Deliver service excellence and act as the City's champion/advisor for business Investment/expansion clients and address queries regarding ICI real estate, municipal fees, development approval processes (zoning, planning and permitting processes, etc.), timelines and other municipal matters.

Facilitate meetings with clients and staff, collect required information and attend pre-consultation, site plan review, committee of adjustment and/or Council meetings, with business clients and work with staff to find possible solutions where barriers exist.

Maintain economic development networks and connect businesses and potential investors to municipal, provincial and federal government resources, funding programs, business support services and resources that offer solutions and support their growth.

Provide input on corporate policy and program changes and ensure that relevant business stakeholders are appropriately engaged.

Work with corporate communications to ensure impacts of municipal service level changes are being appropriately communicated to impacted businesses.

Manage project timelines, budgets and metrics.

Carry out other departmental and corporate duties as directed by the Manager of Economic Development

Qualifications and requirements

Completion of a Degree in Business/Commerce, Economic Development, Urban Planning, Real Estate Development, Public Administration and/or closely related field. Candidates with an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Considerable experience in economic development, business attraction, investment attraction, business retention and expansion, planning, real estate development, or a related field.

Experience developing, implementing and evaluating economic development programs, initiatives and strategies.

Experience working directly with businesses, investors, developers, site selectors, industry associations and government partners.

Relationship building skills and the ability to initiate, develop, influence and maintain collaborative relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders both internally and externally, including staff, council, higher levels of government, business, community organizations and academia sectors.

Project management skills to manage projects within set timelines and budgetary constraints.

Ability to think and act strategically in a political and community-based service environment.

Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to communicate and work with all levels of staff, stakeholders and the general public.

Exceptional judgement and political sensitivity in complex situations.

Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).

Valid class G Driver's licence with good driving record and a reliable vehicle to be used on corporate business. Successful candidates will be required to provide a current driver's abstract prior to their start date to confirm their licence is held in good standing and that is has not been suspended or revoked under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) or Criminal Code of Canada in the last 5 years. The City of Guelph will take into consideration the number of demerit points an