Manager, Economic Development

Department and Commission:
Economic Growth, Culture and Entrepreneurship, Development Services
Affiliation:
Non-Union
Vacancy Type:
Replacement
Posting Date:
June 23, 2026
Final date to receive applications:
July 10, 2026

About the City of Markham

The City of Markham is consistently ranked among Canada’s top municipal employers. In 2026, the City received its sixth consecutive Canada’s Best Employers recognition from Forbes and Statista Inc., placing third among municipalities and 15th overall in Government Services. An award-winning municipality, Markham is recognized for its leadership in sustainability, innovative urban planning, and strong fiscal management. Serving a diverse and growing community of more than 370,000 residents, Markham combines rich heritage with a vibrant local economy and offers employees the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, impactful work that helps strengthen the community we serve.

Join us and make a lasting difference!

Reporting to the Director of Economic Growth, Culture and Entrepreneurship, the Manager, Economic Development is a key member of the Development Services team. Responsible for setting strategic objectives and developing realistic and challenging plans to initiate and implement a strategic economic development program.

• Operationalizes economic development programming to deliver on the goals of the City’s Economic Development and Culture Strategy to align with the Corporate vision and mission.
• Initiates and directs investment growth opportunities to Markham to contribute to local economic growth.
• Cultivates, manages, and leverages strategic relationships with targeted networks (e.g., business community, academic institutions, real estate development and site selection communities, consular corps and trade commissioner service, business and industry associations, provincial and federal levels of government, etc.) to support business retention and expansion (BR+E) and business attraction to foster new investments into the City.
• Positions and promotes Markham as a leading Canadian municipality and destination for businesses, residents, and visitors through developing and leveraging marketing initiatives and collaterals.
• Fosters a supportive ecosystem for business innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization activities through partnership collaborations with local industries, innovation partners, business associations, academic networks, and regional economic development stakeholders.
• Directs Markham’s foreign direct investment (FDI) portfolio and acts as staff lead on international business missions involving government, the development community, businesses, innovation networks, and academic partners.
• Leverages data, trends, and critical thinking skills to understand and navigate agendas and stakeholder relationships (ie. understand issues and identify solutions/new course of actions).
• Represents the City at business meetings and events and identifies opportunities to bring strategic business events, speakers, and partnerships to promote Markham’s innovation and global brand.
• Represents the City on the industry boards and serves main contact between the City and strategic groups (e.g., TechCONNEX, MBT, ventureLAB, YSpace, Seneca HELIX, York Region, Toronto Global, etc.).
• Provides strategic input/advice by leveraging economic development knowledge and relevant subject matter expertise to support corporate and planning/development projects (ie. Markham Centre, Yonge Street Corridor, Markham Transportation Masterplan, Employment Land Study, Smart City, etc..)
• Provides support and respond to internal stakeholder requests (ie. Mayor and Council and City Departments) with economic data and analysis, marketing collaterals, briefings, memos and council reports.

• Provides leadership, supervision, and mentorship to the team.
• Guides staff in the implementation of the strategic vision and creates a shared vision by soliciting and valuing diverse input obtained from each team member on their work and that of the team.
• Oversees staff collaboration on City-building initiatives including working…