• Permanent Full-Time
• Band 7($111,073 - $123,429) + 12% super + monthly ADO
• Footscray, Melbourne

Help shape the future of Maribyrnong's local economy.

Maribyrnong has one of Melbourne's most diverse and dynamic local economies, with established businesses, emerging industries, major institutions, vibrant activity centres and a strong community of entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Council is developing a new approach to economic development focused on making it easier to do business, strengthening local industries, supporting investment and employment, and finding practical ways to use innovation and technology to improve outcomes for businesses and the community.

We are looking for an experienced economic development professional to help lead this work.

This is a senior role combining economic development, business support, team leadership, partnerships and innovation. You will help turn Council's new Economic Development Strategy into practical programs and services, while identifying new opportunities for Maribyrnong's economy.

The role

Reporting to the Coordinator Economic Development and Smart Cities, you will provide senior specialist expertise and day-to-day leadership for Council's Economic Development program.

You will supervise Council's business-facing team and work across Council, government, industry and education to develop initiatives that respond to business needs and create new economic opportunities.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Contributing to and delivering Council's new Economic Development Strategy.
• Leading and coordinating Council's business-facing services, including business engagement, concierge support, capability building, events and communications.
• Supervising, coaching and supporting the Business Events and Communications Officer, Business District Officer and Business Concierge employees.
• Developing initiatives that support business retention and growth, entrepreneurship, productivity, investment, employment and key industries.
• Using economic data, business intelligence and stakeholder insights to understand local conditions and identify emerging opportunities.
• Providing clear, evidence-based economic development advice to Council leaders.
• Building partnerships with government, industry, universities, research organisations and business groups.
• Identifying external funding, partnership and investment opportunities.
• Improving the experience businesses have when dealing with Council.
• Leading assigned Smart City, innovation and emerging technology projects where they can improve economic, business or Council outcomes.
• Developing practical initiatives that help local businesses understand and adopt artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
• Working closely with Council's precinct revitalisation team so business needs and economic opportunities inform work in Footscray and other activity centres.
• Managing projects, budgets, consultants, contracts, procurement processes and risks.
• Monitoring programs and preparing reports, briefings, business cases, funding submissions and recommendations.

About you

You are an experienced economic development professional who understands businesses, local economies and how government can help create the conditions for them to succeed.

You will be comfortable moving between strategic thinking and practical delivery. One day you might be analysing economic data or developing a funding proposal; the next you could be meeting a local business, working with a university on an innovation initiative, briefing senior leaders or helping your team solve a problem.

You do not need to be a technology specialist, but you should be curious about new ideas and comfortable exploring how data, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies can be applied practically and responsibly.

You will bring:

• Strong experience in economic development, business support, industry development or a related field.
• Experience developing and delivering programs that respond to business and industry needs.
• The ability to interpret economic data, research and business intelligence and turn it into practical advice and action.
• A strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses, activity centres and local economies.
• Experience leading, supervising and developing staff.
• Strong project and program management skills.
• Experience managing budgets, consultants, contracts, procurement and risks.
• Excellent relationship-building, negotiation and partnership skills.
• The ability to work effectively with businesses, government, industry, education providers and internal Council teams.
• Strong writing and presentation skills.
• An interest in innovation and practical applications of data, technology and new approaches.
• A good understanding of how local government works.

Experience delivering Smart City, digital adoption, innovation or data-informed improvement initiatives would be highly regarded.

You will also have a degree or diploma in economic development, economics, business, commerce, public policy, urban or regional development, innovation, project management or a related field and significant relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of qualifications and extensive experience.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to help shape the next phase of economic development in Melbourne's inner west.

You will join at a time when Council is developing a new Economic Development Strategy, strengthening the way it works with local businesses and exploring new opportunities around innovation, artificial intelligence, investment and industry partnerships.

You will have the opportunity to lead a business-facing team, build partnerships with major institutions and industries, and turn ideas into programs that have a visible impact on local businesses and the economy.

The role also works closely with Council's precinct revitalisation program, connecting economic development with the future of Footscray and Maribyrnong's other activity centres.

At Maribyrnong, our work is guided by the values of Respect, Courage and Integrity.

If you understand what makes local economies work, enjoy building partnerships and want to develop practical new approaches to economic development, we would like to hear from you.

How to Apply

To apply for this job go to: https://maribyrnong.recruitmenthub.com.au/Vacancies & enter ref code: 6932849.

To express your interest in this role, please forward your resume and a cover letter, outlining your relevant experience and addressing the Key Selection Criteria defined in the position description, in support of your application.

Enquiries: For further queries, please contact Luke O'Connor, Coordinator Economic and Development and Smart Cites on 9688 5855, for a confidential discussion.

Closing Date: Sunday 4^th October - 10pm

Maribyrnong City Council (Council) is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and to operating in a manner that complies with its obligations under the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 and the Victorian Child Safe Standards. Council promotes an organisational culture that embeds within it child safe practices and expects its staff to perform their roles and engage with the community in a manner that is consistent with its child safe practices. To guide expected standards of child safe behaviours of all staff, Council has a Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy.

As part of the appointment process, Council may undertake appropriate child safety pre-screening checks of candidates in accordance with Council Child Safety policies and procedures where appropriate. This may include asking child safety-related questions during interview, conducting relevant checks of the candidate's prior contact with children in employment and/or requiring proof of a valid Working With Children Check prior to commencement.

Council welcomes applications from all interested candidates including from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities. Council's recruitment process will be reasonably adapted to ensure all candidates have equitable access to Council's recruitment process and job opportunities.