MANAGER BUSINESS GROWTH SERVICES ED&C

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• Job Category: Economic Development, Arts & Culture
• Division & Section: Economic Development & Culture, EDC Business Growth Services
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Temporary (24 month) Vacancy
• Shift Information: Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Number of Positions Open: 1
• Posting Period: 31-MAR-2025 to 21-APR-2025

Job Summary

The Manager Business Growth Services ED&C will provide strategic leadership for the Business Improvement Area (BIA) Office in the Economic Development & Culture division. Toronto is the birthplace of BIAs and is home to the largest number of BIAs of any city in North America. They are a critical component to Toronto’s local economy and yet are facing incredible challenges and encountering increasingly complex issues. The 10-year Action Plan for Toronto’s Economy has identified ‘Strong Main Streets’ as a priority for the City and specifically sets an ambitious goal of growing the number of BIAs from 85 to 125 by 2035. We are looking for a Manager to steward this growth, help innovate the BIA model, and support BIAs as they navigate historic and emerging issues.

The successful candidate will provide leadership in the areas of:

• People leadership: You are a seasoned people leader with an ability to motivate a group of professionals within a unionized environment. You are a champion of creating a culture that supports teamwork, innovation, and service excellence.
• Political acumen: You have a strong ability to navigate and understand complex political contexts and power dynamics. You are as comfortable in front of members of Council as you are speaking with small business owners.
• Emotional intelligence & conflict resolution: You collaborate well with diverse audiences and excel at bringing together differing opinions towards a common goal. You have empathy for the BIAs and are not afraid to roll up your sleeves to help solve a problem.
• Relationship-building and communication: You communicate well with diverse audiences, with an ability to clarify complex processes and build relationships with business owners, BIAs, elected officials and senior leadership.
• Governance: Your experience of working with BIAs or non-profit board of directors gives you an excellent grasp of board governance.

Major Responsibilities:

• Develops the BIA Office’s goals and objectives that align with the overall strategic planning of the Section and Division.
• Manages, motivates, and trains the unit's staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, and continuous learning; and encourages innovation in others.
• Manages and resolves emerging issues and councillor inquiries.
• Manages the facilitation of new business improvement areas by providing advice and guidance, facilitating information meetings, ensuring proper notification, reporting on feasibility, and (where applicable) coordinating statutory polling and by-law preparation.
• Manages the day-to-day operation of all assigned staff including the scheduling, assigning, and reviewing of work. Authorizes and controls vacation and overtime requests. Monitors and evaluates staff performance, approves salary increments and recommends disciplinary action when necessary.
• Manages a streetscape capital program including managing the budget and ensuring all City financial and procurement protocols are followed.
• Develops, recommends, and administers the annual budget for the unit, and ensures that the unit's expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
• Cultivates a culture of continuous improvement within the Unit, evaluating program delivery on an ongoing basis in consultation with staff, senior management, service users and partners, and implementing and managing change to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Improves the operating performance of contracted and other service partners by providing professional advice, conflict resolution, administrative support, issue management, and leadership.
• Ensures excellent customer service is provided to both internal and external clients.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals in accordance with the City's policies and procedures and manages evaluation and selection processes and contracts with suppliers.
• Participates collaboratively with management in the division and other divisions in advancing relevant Divisional and Corporate strategies.
• Engages and consults with City divisions, programs, agencies, and boards on priorities, policies and service delivery impacting small businesses and BIAs.
• Manages the development and administration of programs, services, and grants designed to enhance the vibrancy and economic well-being of commercial areas and sectors.
• Negotiates and enters funding agreements with organizations and other orders of government.
• Provides leadership to the Economic Development Division by providing advice to Senior Management on economic development issues, inclusivity and equity, and operations.
• Represents the division at Community Councils, Standing Committees, and City Council, and at adjudicative bodies, on specific projects, policy issues and administrative issues relating to business growth services.
• Ensures compliance, including by partners and associations, with applicable City and Provincial policies related to unit programs and services.
• Monitors Standing Committee agendas to identify items which might impact on the business community and determines appropriate staff actions.
• Prepares reports for City Council and Committees.

Key Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in a professional discipline pertinent to the job function (e.g. Business, Economic Development, etc.) combined with relevant management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive experience working with Business Improvement Areas, community organizations or non-profit organizations.
• Considerable experience leading, motivating, and building effective, diverse work teams to meet high performance and quality standards. Experience leading in a unionized environment is considered an asset.
• Extensive experience working with stakeholders, including senior management, community organizations, political staff (e.g. City Council) to build strategic alliances, and navigate complex political landscapes.
• Considerable experience in the planning, developing and implementation of business improvement initiatives (e.g. the Action Plan for Toronto’s Economy), using best practices and opportunities to support change, innovation, and service delivery.
• Considerable experience managing budgets and cashflow.
• Political acumen, strategic judgement and strong communication skills to effectively engage with all organizational levels, media and a diverse community stakeholder.
• Strong problem solving, negotiation and conflict resolution skills to analyze complex issues, develop strategic solutions, forge strong relationships and facilitate consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Fundamental knowledge of municipal government responsibilities, services, issues, and legislation.
• Ability to work well under pressure and deliver projects within precise constraints.
• Effective decision making and sound judgement handling labour and public relations.
• High accountability, adaptability and customer service orientation skills to address client needs while balancing corporate policies, goals and stakeholder interests.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and public policy shaping investment decisions, business operations, and community economic development.
• Familiarity with government legislation in the area of occupational health and safety.
• Economic Development Certification would be an asset in this position.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.