Economic Development Manager Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

About the City of Hamilton

The City of Hamilton of Hamilton is a dynamic urban centre, home to approximately 560,000 residents, a diverse economy, bustling cultural scene, vibrant neighbourhoods and a unique natural environment.

Hamilton is located within close proximity to Toronto and the Niagara Peninsula in Canada’s most populous province, and has strong transportation networks, internationally renowned educational institutions and hospitals, and a well-educated labour force. Home to Canada’s largest integrated steel producers, Hamilton’s economy is driven by manufacturing, health care and life sciences, goods movement and agricultural industries. A day in Hamilton can include a stroll on the waterfront, a hike on the famous Bruce Trail, a game at Tim Hortons Field, and visits to waterfalls and conservation areas.

The City strives to be the best place to raise a child and age successfully, and works to provide high quality, cost conscious public services that contribute to healthy, safe and prosperous communities.

Like many cities, Hamilton is working to address challenges of affordability, sustainability, and livability so it can take care of its residents, build its culture and economy and remain a great place to live, work and play.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the City Manager, the General Manager, Planning and Economic Development will lead a multi-functional, team-oriented department responsible for helping to shape Hamilton’s future growth and economic prosperity. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to provide expert guidance to Senior Management, Standing Committees, and Council on policies, programs, and services. The successful candidate will oversee various divisions, fostering a high-performance, service-driven culture while ensuring compliance with Provincial and Municipal statutes. This role demands effective leadership in policy development, operational efficiency, and service delivery. The General Manager will provide strategic direction and professional expertise, build a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and accountability, ensure the use of modern technology and best practices in municipal administration, and direct the preparation and defense of annual operating and capital budgets, and collaborate with designated managers to implement policies and enhance service delivery.

Responsibilities will include improving efficiencies and establishing long-term continuous improvement principles, as well as best practices under the following jurisdictions:

• Building Services
• Planning
• Parking and By-law Services
• Development Engineering
• Economic Development and Real Estate
• Downtown and Community Renewal
• Tourism
• Strategic Services and Special Projects
• Industrial Parks and Airport Development
• Finance and Support Services (Cartographic Services and GIS)

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with highly developed analytical and business planning skills, recognized for their long-term vision and strategic thinking. They possess exceptional leadership abilities, with the capacity to articulate a compelling vision, inspire others, and drive meaningful change. With strong facilitation, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, they can effectively lead a team within a predominantly unionized environment.

The successful candidate is adept at engaging with elected officials, government representatives, management, peers, staff, and the public. They have a comprehensive understanding of relevant statutes, regulations, and by-laws, along with in-depth knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and related regulations. Strong consensus-building skills and the ability to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders are crucial.

Qualifications

• Progressive management experience in the field of Planning and Economic Development administration, normally acquired through a Degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Civil Engineering, Business or Public Administration from a recognized university or an equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
  

To apply for this key role, submit your application to Phelps by clicking:

Application deadline: Friday, July 3, 2026

AI will not be used in the candidate screening process.

This is an existing position with a current vacancy.

To learn more information, visit our website at https://phelpsgroup.ca/