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Economic Development Officer

Economic development officers promote economic growth and sustainability in a community or region. There are many different roles an economic development officer can take. The most common is supporting and encouraging existing businesses while working to attract new businesses to their area.

Also Known As

Business and Tourism Development Manager, Business / Community Development Officer, Director of Economic Development, Economic Development Coordinator, Economic Development Researcher, Investment Attraction Manager, Tourism and Economic Development Officer, Tourism Marketing Officer

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 4163: Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants

2006 NOC-S

  • E033: Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants

2011 NOC

  • 4163: Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants

2016 NOC

  • 4163: Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants

2021 NOC

  • 41402: Business development officers and market researchers and analysts

2023 OaSIS

  • 41402.00: Business development officers and market researchers and analysts
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

There are many different job descriptions, duties, and responsibilities relating to economic development officers. Each provincial association of economic development has a list of members, a code of ethics, and standards of expectations for economic developers.

Depending on their needs, a community may employ an economic development coordinator or officer. This person liaises between the administration, municipal council, economic development committee, business development organizations (such as the chamber of commerce), and the community.

The duties of an economic development officer can range from coordinating, running, and supervising economic development programs to matching business investment opportunities with investors. This job is about creating an environment where business and investment can thrive.

In general, economic development officers:

  • Connect with the local business community to support, encourage, and connect local businesses to resources based on their need
  • Market the community to existing or potential investors
  • Act as liaison between the municipal council, economic development committee, and community
  • Prepare strategic plans and carry out economic development initiatives by identifying and promoting new opportunities
  • Compile and update demographic information to promote the community
  • Prepare and share communication materials with the planning department and municipal council to keep decision-makers part of a pro-business environment
  • Find resources that are relevant to businesses in the area
  • Develop or source programs to help new business start-ups, or those looking to scale up
  • Maintain contacts with relevant agencies at all levels of government
  • Meet with social support agencies and stakeholders to align housing, transportation, and immigration projects to support businesses in attracting and retaining their workforce
  • Identify and promote government programs to help businesses, communities, or regions with economic development
  • Go to meetings of government, community, and business groups
  • Prepare, keep, and present financial and statistical records and reports
  • Oversee support staff and volunteers
  • Promote and support the municipality’s goals for attracting and retaining relevant business sectors
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Strength requirements vary

Economic development officers work in an office setting, as well as remotely. They often are out in their community areas, attending council and committee meetings and community events. They may work longer than the usual 40-hour week. They may need to travel if their work involves attracting and growing business investment, with activities such as making presentations, attending trade shows or conducting tours for potential investors. Economic development officers may spend long periods sitting at a computer or attending meetings.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants

2006 NOC: 4163

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
DIRECTIVE

Interest in co-ordinating information to plan development projects with representatives of a wide variety of industrial and commercial enterprises, business associations and government agencies, and to develop strategies to attract venture capital; and in administering programs to promote industrial and commercial business investment and tourism

INNOVATIVE

Interest in developing policies and programs to promote industrial and commercial business investment in urban and rural areas, and in developing social and economic profiles of urban and rural areas to encourage industrial and commercial investment and development

SOCIAL

Interest in consulting to advise on procedures and requirements for government approval

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Economic development officers need:

  • An energetic and engaging personality
  • Strong interest in the business community
  • Knowledge of economic drivers of industries and business models
  • Understanding of legislative and regulatory policies and frameworks for business development
  • Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Advanced research skills
  • A strategic mindset
  • The ability to analyze and condense information in a logical way
  • Confidence in presenting ideas
  • Communication skills
  • The ability to give clear, concise advice and recommendations
  • Relationship-building skills
  • The ability to manage complex projects
  • The ability to work under pressure and juggle different agendas
  • Leadership skills
  • The ability to adjust well to rapid change

They should enjoy:

  • Engaging with, speaking to, and inspiring individuals
  • Coordinating information
  • Finding new ways to handle problems
  • Taking a methodical approach to research
  • Dealing with people
  • Reviewing and analyzing data

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants

2016 NOC: 4163

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 333 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 26, 2024 and Dec 02, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Develop policies
Tasks: Develop and implement business plans
Tasks: Respond to enquiries from members of the business community concerning development opportunities
Tasks: Develop marketing strategies
Tasks: Design market research questionnaires
Tasks: Plan development projects
Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years
Tasks: Conduct surveys and analyze data on the buying habits and preferences of wholesale and retail consumers
Tasks: Review and evaluate commercial or industrial development proposals
Attention to detail
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education 4 years post-secondary

Economic development officers must know about local industries, businesses, and municipal land-use and planning legislation. Employers may require a post-secondary degree related to economic development, such as business administration, urban planning, marketing, market research, communications, economics, or political science, or equivalent years of experience in the field of economic development. Many employers consider the certified economic developer (Ec.D) designation an asset.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Red Deer Polytechnic
Thompson Rivers University

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Certification Not Regulated

Economic development accreditation (preferably a designation) or courses that lead to accreditation are an asset.

Voluntary certifications include:

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Economic development officers work in many sectors of the economy. But they most often work for:

  • Municipal, provincial, and federal governments
  • Crown corporations
  • Regional economic development organizations
  • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
  • Industry associations

Experienced economic development officers may advance to senior or management positions. Those with enough experience may go on to become private consultants.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants
2016 NOC: 4163

79.7% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Business development officers and market researchers and analysts
2021 NOC: 41402
High
Demand
3,900
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants
2016 NOC: 4163
2.5%
Annual Growth
(Above Average)
84
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2024

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants

2016 NOC: 4163
Average Wage
$49.95
Per Hour
Average Salary
$98,311.00
Per Year
Average Hours
37.8
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 4163 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $24.15 $86.05 $41.50 $37.31
Overall $24.59 $91.35 $49.95 $47.70
Top $29.33 $120.19 $59.90 $50.98

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Oil & Gas Extraction
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade
Transportation and Warehousing
Information, Culture, Recreation
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
36%
36%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
15%
15%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
4%
4%
Vacancy Rate
2%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Communications
  • Mathematics
  • Social Sciences, Law and Religious Studies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Economic Developers Alberta website: www.edaalberta.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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