Development Economist Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are

BioTalent Canada is the HR partner for Canada's bio-economy, working at the intersection of people, science, and workforce development. Through a dynamic national network of employers, academic institutions, associations, and service providers, we strengthen skills, connect job-ready talent to industry, and help employers build thriving workforces that fuel Canada's bio-economy.

We're proud to be recognized as a Great Place to Work since 2019 and a 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Employer by Canadian HR Reporter since 2023. BioTalent Canada has also been named a Best Workplace in Healthcare for 2023 and 2026, and an Employer of Choice for 2025 by Canadian HR Reporter. These recognitions reflect the culture we have built together and the standards we strive to model for the sector we serve. In our most recent employee engagement survey, 100% of our team agreed with the statement, "I feel welcome and included in BioTalent Canada's culture."

Being a recognized workplace is an accolade that we work together as a team to uphold. We are looking for team members who are prepared to contribute to and thrive within a best-in-class workplace culture that is collaborative, inclusive, curious, high-performing and committed to leading by example.

Our Purpose & Values

We believe Canada's bio-economy is people-focused, a career of choice, and a key driver of economic growth. Our work is grounded in our values of diversity and inclusion, collaboration, science, transparency, and leadership that fuel our curiosity for data-driven results to achieve impactful outcomes.

What We Do

We conduct labour market research, deliver employer supports, and develop talent connection tools that help organizations hire with confidence and enable bio-economy professionals to build strong careers. We are connection-creators and relationship-builders, and we thrive on opening doors and creating opportunities for the groups we serve.

Our team is the key to our success. We are a high-performing, values-driven group who care deeply about our work and just as much about how we work together. Alongside our commitment to impact, you will find a genuine joie-de-vivre, a positive sense of humour, innovative approaches, diverse perspectives, community-mindedness, and a shared pride of delivering meaningful work.

About The Role

Reporting to the Director, National Talent Strategy, the Economist is responsible for advancing the collection, interpretation, delivery and application of BioTalent Canada's labour market information (LMI) and insights. As BioTalent Canada's internal subject matter expert in labour market economics, the Economist will conduct applied economic and labour market analysis, guide research methodologies, manage relationships with external economic and research firms and review and translate findings into clear and practical insights. The Economist will work across internal teams, sector councils, industry partners, and other key parties to inform research, external communications and organizational decision making.

This is a 1-year contract, with the possibility of permanency if extended. This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

What You'll Do

• Coordinate and contribute to the delivery of LMI relevant to Canada's bio-economy, including the research planning, methodology development, data collection, analysis, reporting, and knowledge sharing
• Work with external consultants to guide research design, determine industry needs, meet deliverables, and ensure final outputs are aligned with BioTalent Canada's standards
• Review research methodologies, analytical assumptions, data sources, findings and consultant deliverables to identify gaps or areas requiring further clarification
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Workforce Development Councils to ensure alignment on LMI
• Translate complex labour market and economic information into clear messages, practical and completing insights for non-specialist audiences
• Partner with Marketing and Communications to ensure labour-market findings, thought leadership content, promotional materials and public messaging are accurate, appropriately contextualized and supported by evidence
• Support proposal writing, consulting, and business development projects where economic research, LMI, data analysis, or sector insight is required
• Provide subject matter expertise to technology, data and product-development initiatives, including helping define user needs, data requirements and appropriate LMI applications
• Prepare and deliver presentations on LMI, economic trends, research findings, and related topics on behalf of BioTalent Canada
• Manage multiple research-related priorities, timelines, consultant inputs, external audiences needs, and internal requests to integrate qualitative and quantitative findings while keeping work moving forward
• Contribute to long-term growth of BioTalent Canada's internal labour market information capacity and support the continued evolution of the research function
• Prioritize lead generation efforts alongside the regular requirements of the role
• Assist with other project deliverables and teams as required in a dynamic work environment

What We're Looking For

• Positive and affable team player, who thrives in high performing teams
• Demonstrated alignment with our corporate values of diversity and inclusion, collaboration, science, transparency, and leadership, to fuel curiosity for data-driven results to achieve impactful outcomes
• A collaborative, curious, and relationship-building approach, with a genuine interest in applying economics to workforce, labour market, and sector-based issues
• Ability to contribute to both quantitative and qualitative research activities, including surveys, interviews, roundtables, analysis, and report development.
• Experience working with consultants or external specialists, ensuring deliverables meet organizational needs
• Strong project coordination skills, including the ability to organize inputs, manage competing priorities, monitor progress and deliver quality work within established timelines
• Clear communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to communicate to non-specialist audiences across internal teams and with external partners
• Confident presentation skills, with the ability to build relationships across workforce councils, provincial associations, and other external parties
• Experience contributing to proposal writing for government projects
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive work forward in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Demonstrated interest and aptitude in artificial intelligence (AI), with a commitment to continuously expanding knowledge and applying emerging AI tools and practices to enhance organizational efficiency, decision-making, and innovation
• 5 or more years of relevant experience in economics, labour market research, applied research, workforce development, or a related field
• A master's degree or PhD in economics with a preference for microeconomics, labour economics, workforce economics, or another related applied economics discipline

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience or interest in Labour Market Intelligence, workforce research or sector-based economic research
• Knowledge of/experience in the biotechnology industry in Canada
• Experience in non-profit or workforce development environments
• Experience with data visualization, dashboards, Power BI, advanced Excel, or related analytical tools
• Proficiency in both of Canada's official languages

Our Work Environment

BioTalent Canada offers a hybrid, collaborative work environment, with regular in-person connection from our Ottawa office. This role requires a minimum of two days per week onsite. We also bring our team together twice a year for in-person gatherings, reinforcing our strong culture of collaboration, learning, and connection.

Highlights of our Total Rewards Package

• A starting base salary range: $80,000 - $92,000 based on skills, experience, and role alignment and determined though our structured recruitment and evaluation process.
• Time off for life outside of work: 15 vacation days (to start), 12 paid personal days, your birthday off, and 2 paid volunteer days.
• Well-being & financial security: Health Care Spending Account, prescription drug coverage, wellness benefits, and employer matched contributions to a Group Retirement Savings Plan.
• Support For Life Events: Parental leave top-up program, RESP contribution, and Canadian citizenship fee reimbursement.
• Growth & flexibility: Professional development opportunities and flexible working hours.

Equal Opportunity

BioTalent Canada is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. We know that diverse perspectives strengthen our impact and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply, even if you don't meet every requirement. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know or contact our People & Culture team at people.culture@biotalent.ca.

Application Process

We kindly ask that all applications to be submitted directly to the application link provided by 12:00pm on Wednesday, September 16th. Due to high volume of interest during recruitment, we are not able to respond to individual emails or messages about job postings. If your profile aligns with what we are looking for, you will be contacted directly to advance in the next stages of our process which may include the following:

• A preliminary call to explore your interest and alignment
• 2-3 interviews with the hiring panel, in person and virtually
• Written assessment directly related to the role at BioTalent Canada
• Reference checks and background checks

All applications are reviewed by members of our team, with all hiring decisions being made by people. As the world of work evolves, AI tools may be used to support aspects of the recruitment process, such as planning, messaging, and administration.