Community Economic Development Officer

THE OPPORTUNITY

We have an exciting opportunity for a Community Economic Development Officer (CEDO) to join the City of Lacombe.  Reporting directly to the Director of Community Services, the CEDO will empower the community from within, foster trust, and drive sustainable economic impacts through a collaborative, community-driven approach. This role will support the ECHO Lacombe organization, analyze data and trends to inform strategic initiatives, and build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including City Council, the local Chamber of Commerce, and neighboring municipalities. The CEDO will play a vital role in shaping economic development processes, driving long-term goals, and ensuring that these efforts align with the community’s values. This is a three-year term position with the potential for permanent appointment based on performance and organizational needs.

IDEAL PERSON

The ideal candidate is a strategic, community-focused leader with a background and passion in economic development. They bring experience in data analysis, project management, and fostering relationships with diverse stakeholders. A strong communicator and problem-solver, they possess a collaborative, stewardship-driven mindset and the ability to navigate complex environments. With a passion for empowering communities and aligning economic growth with local values, they are adaptable, results-oriented, and committed to driving sustainable change in a dynamic municipal setting.

THE ORGANIZATION

The City of Lacombe is a vibrant and fast-growing community of over 14,500 residents that embraces innovation and enterprise while celebrating its historical architecture and rich heritage. Centrally located along Alberta’s vital Highway 2 corridor, Lacombe provides strategic access to major economic centres across the province. Its strong, collaborative relationships with Lacombe County and surrounding regional partners support a unified, forward-thinking approach to economic development. Surrounded by a beautiful natural environment of lakes and green spaces, Lacombe also offers an exceptional range of lifestyle amenities and recreational opportunities. Residents enjoy modern subdivisions, a full range of schools, Burman University, a hospital, and top-tier recreation facilities. The city’s high quality of life makes it an ideal place to live, work, learn, and invest.

For more information, please visit their website: www.lacombe.ca

RESPONSIBILITIES

Data and Research

• Conduct forward-looking research on economic trends, market conditions, and development opportunities to inform strategic priorities.
• Analyze and synthesize community-specific data to shape actionable, long-term economic strategies that reflect Lacombe’s values and potential.
• Maintain and regularly update the City’s Economic Development micro-site with accurate statistics, insights, and trend data.
• Translate complex data into accessible insights for internal and external stakeholders, supporting evidence-based decisions by Council, ECHO Lacombe, and the broader business community.

Strategic Leadership 

• Provide strategic support to ECHO Lacombe as a central partner in advancing community-based economic development aligned with the City’s broader priorities.
• Focus on empowering and growing local businesses through initiatives rooted in community needs, while also advancing efforts to attract new investment and external business opportunities.
• Enhance business attraction strategies by improving the Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) process to better engage prospective investors and developers.

Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders including ECHO Lacombe, City Council, the District Chamber of Commerce, CAEP, regional municipalities, and other economic development partners.
• Serve as a primary point of contact and trusted liaison for businesses, vendors, and investors navigating City processes or seeking support.
• Champion regional collaboration and partnership opportunities that align with Lacombe’s economic goals and values.
• Engage proactively with local stakeholders to ensure economic development initiatives reflect community priorities and foster trust.
• Encourage and integrate innovative, community-informed ideas—especially nontraditional or custom solutions—to address business and development challenges.
• Identify and assume responsibility for relevant economic development tasks currently dispersed across other departments, where feasible, to streamline operations and enhance coordination.

Administration and Operations

• Provide operational support to ECHO Lacombe, including administrative duties such as organizing board meetings, supporting marketing efforts, and coordinating grant administration.
• Manage business inquiries and vendor inquiries, ensuring timely and informed responses to all inquiries related to economic development.
• Coordinate and improve economic development processes such as the City’s building lease agreements, RFEOI process, land sales, and sponsorship tracking to ensure transparency and effectiveness.
• Manage programs such as the Rural Development Stream, aligning administrative activities with strategic economic priorities.

Community Empowerment

• Develop and implement strategies to empower local businesses, encourage innovation, and strengthen community connections for a sustainable, thriving local economy.
• Facilitate the integration of business and community development to ensure growth is both community-driven and sustainable.
• Collaborate to cultivate a stewardship mindset, aligning the city’s economic development with the long-term well-being of its residents.

First-Year Focus

• Develop a strong foundational understanding of ECHO Lacombe and the role of the CEDO within it, including operational responsibilities, governance dynamics, and strategic opportunities to enhance its impact as a local business empowerment vehicle.
• Build relationships with key community and regional influencers by proactively facilitating introduction meetings with prominent business leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.
• Redesign and improve the Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) process to ensure it is more accessible, strategic, and aligned with the City’s long-term economic goals.
• Arrange and coordinate business tours for the City Council, focusing on both local and regional businesses, to foster stronger ties between municipal leadership and the business community.
• Enhance the communication and utilization of community ECDEV data by synthesizing relevant statistics, trends, and insights, and proactively sharing this information through appropriate channels.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in business, economics, public administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in economic or community development with a focus on fostering local business growth and attracting new investments.
• Proven experience working within municipal operations or local government economic development settings.
• Demonstrated success in building and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders, including businesses, municipal leaders, non-profits, and community organizations.
• Experience in grant coordination, economic data analysis, and overseeing business attraction initiatives.
• Knowledge of property management or municipal finance is considered an asset.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives that support sustainable, community-aligned economic growth, balancing support for local businesses with efforts to attract new investment.
• Demonstrated leadership and operational oversight in managing economic development programs, including support for ECHO Lacombe and related initiatives.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage and collaborate effectively with local businesses, Council, regional partners, and the broader community.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and present insights clearly to diverse audiences.
• Deep commitment to community-driven development that reflects local needs, values, and long-term sustainability goals.
• Highly organized and effective at managing multiple projects, deadlines, and evolving priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Creative, adaptable, and solutions-oriented, with a track record of fostering innovation in economic development efforts.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

SANDY JACOBSON | T: 780.944.1327| E: [email protected] | www.richardsonsearch.ca