Overview

The City is offering an exciting 18 month secondment and growth opportunity focused on retail attraction and commercial revitalization in Downtown Kitchener for an energetic, self motivated individual with strong relationship building and problem solving skills.

As part of the Downtown Development and Innovation team, the Business Growth & Outreach Lead is responsible for leading and implementing strategies and initiatives that advance retail attraction and commercial revitalization in Downtown Kitchener, in alignment with the Downtown Vision and Guiding Principles and in support of the City’s Make It Kitchener economic development strategy. The role focuses on strengthening the downtown commercial ecosystem by building strong relationships with existing, expanding, and new retail and commercial businesses, coordinating City services, and improving the experience of businesses navigating approvals and regulatory processes. Drawing on strong academic and professional experience, the incumbent leads and contributes to high profile economic development and service improvement initiatives that support a vibrant, inclusive, and economically thriving downtown.

Responsibilities

• Assessing and prioritizing retail leads based on alignment with downtown strategy, market fit, and space availability.
• Recommending potential retail prospects (local, regional, and national) for outreach, engagement, and business development follow-up.
• Deciding on outreach approaches—e.g., which businesses to contact, appropriate messaging, and timing for engagement.
• Evaluating available spaces and determining which locations to recommend to prospective retailers based on business needs and downtown development goals.
• Determining participation in events such as retail-focused trade shows, site selection meetings, and business attraction events, including identifying which opportunities will yield the highest value for the City.
• Making operational decisions during events, including how to represent the City, how to position downtown opportunities, and how to manage lead generation.
• Identifying barriers and recommending solutions to help prospective retailers navigate municipal processes (permitting, zoning inquiries, etc.).
• Coordinating with internal teams and deciding when to escalate issues or involve planners, economic development colleagues, or leadership.
• Tracking and evaluating retail attraction activities, making decisions on which strategies to continue, modify, or discontinue based on results.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

3-year degree diploma in business, economic development, real estate, marketing, sales or related field

Experience

• Minimum 4 years of related and relevant experience including business development, retail, hospitality, sales, relationship management, and industry participation.
• Must have demonstrated experience leading, managing and implementing major projects, including a track record of successfully completing projects within scope, on-time and on-budget.
• Must have experience with, and working knowledge of, marketing, sales and brand development principles. 

Skill Equivalency

• 2-Year Diploma (or 2-Year Specialized Post-Secondary Program) with minimum 7 years related and relevant experience OR 4-Year Honours Degree with minimum 2 years related and relevant experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to design and execute a project plan that collaboratively engages a variety of stakeholders while ensuring project timelines are met
• Must have working knowledge of the principles, practices and theories of economic development, real estate, business growth, retail and investment.
• Must demonstrate the abilities to establish new client relationships, foster relationships and complete sales transactions.
• Exceptional analytical, problem solving, communication and organizational skills
• Superior written, oral and presentation skills, with demonstrated strength in report writing and presentation skills; proven ability communicating effectively at all levels of both internal and external organizations
• Demonstrates an ability to work alone/independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively as part of a team
• Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.
• May require evening and weekend work commitment