Senior Manager, Business and Economy

Requisition ID: 42991 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.
 

Main Purpose and Function
The Senior Manager, Business and Economy will work closely with the Director, Business and Economy to focus on addressing the dynamic and challenging issues and opportunities facing businesses in Vancouver. Working actively with the local business community and supporting a range of City teams, the work of the Business and Economy office focuses on minimizing obstacles for local business, bringing a business lens to policy and program development, and supporting investment attraction efforts with our partners.
 

This position is responsible for providing sophisticated business and strategic advice to City staff, executive and City Council on a broad range of issues, for leading a portfolio of projects related to business support and the local economy, for developing and supporting the implementation of policies related to business and economic issues, and for managing Business and Economy Office team members. 
 

A substantial part of this role involves stewarding internal relationships with senior executives, staff across City departments, and elected officials, and external relationships with business, non-profit agency and public sector leaders, Board directors, and academics. This position requires a proactive and strategic thinking team player, with a sophisticated skillset and experience in stewardship and project management of complex files. 
 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides internal strategic, policy and operational advice and makes recommendations concerning ongoing operations and complex issues/opportunities related to business and the economy, including for specific sectors. This work is often very significant in terms of implications such as strategic direction, resource implications and risk. 
• Leads a portfolio of strategic initiatives within the City, playing a leadership role managing cross-departmental teams to ensure support to local business, investment and collaboration within the local business ecosystem – drawing on your leadership, project management, policy, governance and stakeholder management skills. Manages external business advisory consultants in the course of some of this work.
• Stewards relationships with external parties such as business leaders, public sector peers, and industry associations representatives.
• Works closely with the Director, Business and Economy to lead the Business and Economy Office team, including responsibility for staffing decisions, performance and attendance tracking and employee development.  
• Leads qualitative and quantitative analysis of economic and business data to be used in policy and program recommendations, and for presentation materials.
• Develops research and information materials, as well as presentations, reports and other materials for both internal and external audiences.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• A post-graduate degree in Business Administration or Public Administration, Economic Development, Commerce, or equivalent (e.g., MBA, MPA) or technical equivalent.
• Minimum eight years' experience working in a corporate or institutional environment at an intermediate or senior level, with increasing responsibility for complex business or economic strategy and/or business planning-related work.
• Significant experience working directly with senior management, boards of directors, elected officials, business organizations and/or other governance bodies.
• Experience working in the public sector, working in an environment that balances public policy and business objectives, and/or knowledge of or experience with local government issues are all considered assets for this position.
   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of the BC Lower Mainland’s economy and local business issues and opportunities.
• Excellent leadership skills, balancing independence, initiative and decisiveness with good judgement and a collaborative approach and is able to leverage a strong leadership skillset to contribute to the achievement of teams’ goals. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain effective and respectful working relationships with internal and external peers, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Sophisticated research, analytical and problem-solving skills that can be applied to complex, multi-faceted issues, with the ability to think objectively and innovatively, and to present solutions in clear and compelling terms.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including effective presentation skills. 
• Ability to meet timelines and objectives and demonstrates persistence to overcome obstacles.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to concurrently manage multiple tasks and competing priorities.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Office of the City Manager (1010) 

Affiliation: Senior Exempt 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: March, 2025 

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-111: $121,960 to $160,467 per annum. The salary offered to the successful candidate will consider a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skillset, level of experience applicable to the role they are being offered and internal equity considerations.

Application Close: January 19, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.