Cape Breton Partnership

Full-Time Contract

Description

Employer: Cape Breton Partnership (CBP)

Reports to: Director of Economic Development

Position type: Full-time contract, 40 hours per week

Service area: Dedicated economic development capacity for CBRM, with regional and First Nation collaboration as outlined below

Work location: Sydney-based, with business visits and municipal and community meetings throughout CBRM; up to two remote days per week may be approved.

Compensation: Competitive salary, based on knowledge and experience. Paid vacation, sick and personal days, plus an additional week of paid time off in December, health and dental benefits, and access to our Employee & Family Assistance Program.

Application deadline: November 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time.

About the opportunity

Help businesses grow and investment move forward in CBRM. Reporting to the Director of Economic Development, you will support local businesses, advance investment and development opportunities, and deliver agreed municipal economic development projects.

You will work closely with CBRM’s Planning and Development Department, particularly its Community Development Officer, and collaborate with other municipal staff as appropriate. You will be supported by the Director, CEO and colleagues in Creative/Film, Labour Market & Immigration, innovation, and marketing and communications.

CBRM’s contribution anchors dedicated local delivery, complemented by provincial and federal programs, including the Regional Economic Partnership Program (REPP), and the Partnership’s wider resources.

What you will do

Business support retention and expansion

• Provide business navigation and follow-through: assess inquiries, connect clients with relevant programs and specialists, agree next steps and follow up. Draw on and contribute to the team’s regional, national and international networks.
• Help businesses navigate planning, zoning, permitting, servicing, financing, workforce and other requirements with responsible municipal staff, agencies and specialists.
• Undertake proactive employer outreach and Business Insights Program (BIP) interviews to identify expansion, succession and workforce needs, recurring barriers and opportunities for shared workshops or responses.
• Help entrepreneurs strengthen business cases, align with market and funding opportunities, and communicate their unique selling proposition through pitches and customer-facing messaging, with appropriate specialist support.

Investment and municipal readiness

• Identify, qualify and advance investment opportunities through outreach, investor information, site visits and coordinated follow-up with investors, developers and business support partners.
• Support the marketing and sale of Northside Business Park and other business and industrial park lands. Work with CBRM staff to maintain commercial land and site-readiness information and investigate future commercial and business park lands.
• Improve development guides and digital investment information with CBRM staff and Partnership Communications colleagues.

Project delivery and regional collaboration

• Develop practical workplans with the Director, in consultation with CBRM’s Planning and Development Department and other designated municipal staff, with clear responsibilities, milestones and achievable deliverables.
• Lead or support assigned economic development projects, including commercial growth, housing and growth enablers, investment readiness and strategic initiatives. Coordinate partners and approved budgets, monitor milestones and bring barriers or decisions to the Director promptly.
• Deliver REPP business navigation, BIP and regional coordination activities within the broader CBRM workplan. Connect CBRM priorities with regional initiatives that strengthen supply chains, workforce connections, shared infrastructure and investment readiness.

Partner relationships and team collaboration

• Work closely with CBRM’s Planning and Development Department and Community Development Officer to coordinate business support, investment readiness and agreed municipal projects, sharing relevant information and following through on joint priorities.
• Prepare for and contribute meaningfully to regular CBRM check-in meetings with Planning and Development staff and the Partnership’s Director. Bring substantive business and investment file updates, identify barriers and opportunities, recommend next steps and follow through on agreed actions.
• Support the Director’s collaboration with the Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Engineer & Director, Strategic Projects, and other municipal staff on strategic projects, infrastructure, land development, funding and partnerships. Maintain awareness of related files and contribute research, coordination and follow-up as assigned.
• Build productive relationships with municipal staff, elected officials, businesses, community organizations and funders, with sound judgement and political awareness. Collaborate with Membertou and Eskasoni economic development representatives on business connections, referrals and shared opportunities that advance agreed CBRM and regional priorities, respecting each Nation’s priorities and economic development capacity.
• Work with the Creative Economy Development Officer on local Creative/Film opportunities, training and follow-up. Connect employers with the Labour Market & Immigration team and businesses with innovation and Design Cube expertise. Coordinate with colleagues and sector partners on energy, port, industrial, technology and other opportunities.

Reporting and accountability

• Maintain accurate, confidential client and project records in Monday.com and designated CRM systems, documenting business services, referrals, milestones, qualified investment opportunities and outcomes to support follow-up and reliable impact reporting.
• Prepare CBRM service and impact updates, council briefings and presentations, and provide information for funder reporting, coordinating relevant team contributions with the Director.

What you can achieve

Businesses will have clearer next steps and better access to support. Investors will receive informed follow-up. CBRM will have practical economic development advice, stronger information about land and business needs, progress on agreed projects, and a clear account of services delivered and opportunities advanced.

What you will bring

• Relevant post-secondary education in business, commerce, economics, public administration, community development or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience in economic or business development, municipal government, planning, tourism, real estate or development, entrepreneurship support or a related field.
• Working knowledge of municipal government, development approvals, land and business park development, infrastructure requirements and taxation, and of business retention, expansion and investment readiness.
• Strong relationship-building, project management, analytical, presentation and written communication skills in English, with political awareness, discretion and initiative.
• Ability to manage competing priorities independently, collaborate respectfully with diverse partners, and use Microsoft 365, virtual meeting tools and client or project tracking systems.

Assets include knowledge of CBRM’s economy, communities and municipal environment; experience working with First Nation partners; additional relevant languages; certification in economic development or project management; and experience building national or international networks and securing funding.

Working conditions

Work normally takes place Monday to Friday, based in Sydney, with regular business visits and municipal and community meetings throughout CBRM. Remote work of up to two days per week may be approved under Partnership policy and service needs. A confidential workspace and reliable internet are required.

Travel within CBRM and elsewhere on the Island, and occasional evening or other commitments outside regular hours, are required. A valid driver’s licence and access to a reliable vehicle are required. Employment is conditional on successful completion and maintenance of a valid Criminal Record Check.

Employment is subject to the Partnership’s terms and policies, including confidentiality, intellectual property, non-solicitation and conflict of interest requirements.

About the Cape Breton Partnership

The Cape Breton Partnership works with businesses, investors, municipalities, First Nations and community partners to support economic development across Unama’ki – Cape Breton. Our team brings together business navigation, investment attraction, creative economy, workforce, immigration and innovation expertise to help local opportunities progress.

Location Information

Community

Sydney

County

Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Province

Nova Scotia

Country

Canada

Opportunity Information

Employer

Cape Breton Partnership

NOC Code

—

Experience Required

Yes

Available Openings

1

Pay Type

To be Determined

Pay Period

To be Determined

Remuneration Per Pay Period

Estimated Weekly Hours

—

Start Date

—

End Date

—

Language

English

Posted on

November 2nd 2026

Expires

November 20th 2026