Senior Manager, Business and Economy

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), 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 engaging workplace. Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service can be a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

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.

• 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.

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…