Application Closing Date:

Oct 10, 2025

Note: Posting comes off at 12:00am on the closing date, with the competition closing at 11:59pm the day prior.

Salary Range:

$125,778.45 - $147,974.64

Reporting to the Director of Planning & Community Services, the Senior Manager Partnerships & Innovations will lead a high-performing, externally focused team dedicated to delivering impactful results. This role oversees a multidisciplinary portfolio that includes Economic Development, Tourism, Real Estate & City Land Management and Park Planning. The Senior Manager, Partnerships & Innovations ensures the department acts as a central point of contact for businesses, investors, developers, and tourism and park partners - streamlining processes, enhancing interdepartmental collaboration with the Planning Department, and strategically managing city-owned land to achieve community, economic, and tourism outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

Partnership Development and Management: Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships across non-profit, public, and private sectors, as well as inter-governmental relationships, to deliver measurable outcomes that benefit the community.
City Land Management: Oversee the full lifecycle of the City’s land portfolio, including the activation of current assets, targeted acquisitions to support capital priorities, and strategic dispositions to achieve community goals.
Business Concierge Oversight: Lead the City’s Business Concierge service, ensuring proactive support for businesses and investors to foster a business-friendly environment.
Tourism Strategy: Leverage tourism assets, initiatives, and community branding to maximize economic returns and enhance community vibrancy.
Park Projects & Initiatives: Oversee the Park Projects and Community Initiatives Department to ensure strategic parkland acquisitions and impactful park developments that enhance the city’s livability.
Planning Integration: Collaborate closely with the Planning Department to support land development and guide sustainable, strategic community growth.

Duties Include:

Lead, supervise and mentor a multi-disciplinary team responsible for Economic Development, Tourism, Real Estate & City Land Management and Park Projects & Community Initiatives.
Develop and implement policies, programs, and initiatives that advance the City’s strategic goals in economic development, real estate, land use, tourism and parks.
Foster a result-oriented, collaborative team culture focused on innovation, service excellence and community impact.
Establish and manage strategic partnerships with non-profit organizations, governments agencies (intergovernmental relationships) and private sector stakeholders.
Drive collaborative initiatives that support economic development, tourism and community outcomes.
Oversee the City’s land assets, including asset activation and utilization, land acquisitions in support of capital and strategic priorities, strategic sales and dispositions aligned with community and economic objectives
Manage the City’s Business Concierge function to provide tailored support for businesses, investors, and developers, accelerate timelines and reduce barriers to doing business with the City, and enhance the overall business climate in the community.
Oversee the City’s Tourism program and develop and implement strategies to leverage tourism assets and local branding, attract visitors and investment, and generate broad-based economic and community benefits.
Act as a key liaison with the City’s Planning Department to integrate land development process, support sustainable, well-planned community growth, improve cross-departmental coordination and project delivery.
Oversee the Park Projects & Community Initiatives Department.
Represent the City at meetings, events, and forums to promote collaboration and investment.
Monitor and evaluate program outcomes and performance metrices
Provide regular updates and strategic recommendation to senior leadership and City Council.
Assists the Director during periods of increased workload and/or special projects.
Performs other duties, as required.
All persons employed by the City of Vernon will be required to assist the City in providing emergency services as required. Duties assigned during an emergency may differ from regular duties.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Business Management, Economic Development, or a related field.
Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in economic development, land management, urban planning, or a related field.
Proven track record of building strategic partnerships and leading multi-disciplinary teams.
Experience in working with public sector organizations, inter-governmental agencies, and the private sector.
BC Class 5 Driver’s Licence.
A combination of related education and experience may be considered.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture, develop long-term plans, and align resources to meet future goals.
Leadership: Proven ability to inspire and lead diverse teams with a clear focus on results and accountability.
Partnership Development: Strong relationship-building skills and experience managing complex stakeholder environments.
Business Acumen: Deep understanding of economic drivers, investment trends, and business climate issues.
Project Management: Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Communication: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage with a range of audiences.
Political Savvy: Ability to navigate a municipal government environment and work effectively with elected officials and public stakeholders.

Preferred Education and Experience:

A master’s degree is considered an asset.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume, quoting the appropriate competition online at vernon.ca/careers by selecting “apply” and creating a candidate profile. Internal applicants are asked to apply using their worker profile.

By making application, you are authorizing the City of Vernon to verify, through whatever means deemed appropriate, any information included in your applicant profile.

The City of Vernon wishes to thank all applicants; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Senior Manager, Partnerships & Innovations (Exempt)

Job Description