Business & Economic Development Officers and Consultants

Learn about this occupation – including typical duties, education required, salary and job outlook information, job boards and more.

Business development officers and consultants conduct research, formulate policies and manage programs to stimulate industrial and commercial business investment or tourism in urban and rural areas, or to promote commercial or industrial products and services. They are employed by government departments, international organizations, and business associations or may be self-employed. (NOC)

Economic development officers (EDOs) promote economic growth in communities through initiatives such as, attracting new businesses and encouraging the expansion of existing businesses. (alis)

Business Development Officers/Executives/Managers assist companies to acquire new customers and sell additional products or services to existing ones; this means the role is a crucial one for any business with the ambition to expand or the necessity to diversify its clientele. (The Telegraph Media Group Ltd.)

Occupational profile

Find detailed information about the occupation, including typical duties and working conditions, in the links below:

Education

Educational requirements vary by position. A bachelor's degree in economics, commerce, business administration or public administration may be required (NOC). Students interested in this field may also consider other majors with a complimentary minor. Students are encouraged to speak with employers and view a sample of job postings to better understand employment requirements.

At the University of Manitoba, in addition to the faculties and departments below, other faculties and departments offer courses related to business, marketing, research, leisure and tourism.

U of M Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar & Catalogue outlines program admission and course requirements. Use the left menu to navigate to a specific faculty and program. To determine which degree path suits your unique occupational goals, speak with a Career Consultant. For support with course registration and academic issues, speak with an Academic Advisor.

Faculty and Department Homepages
Visit the faculty and department homepage to learn about program application deadlines and processes, as well as additional in-house resources and opportunities.

Exploring Other Education Options

Information for foreign-trained Business Development Officers - Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials

Labour market information

Labour market information informs users of supply and demand for specific occupations and sectors. It includes such things as salary and job outlook information. These resources support informed career decision making and job search efforts. 

Resources

Professional Associations
Professional associations organize events and directories, job postings, career and labour market information. Student membership opportunities are also available. This is a great way to learn and network. 

Directories, Industry Associations, and Sector Councils
These resources provide industry news, labour market information and a list of potential employers. Remember, there are usually multiple industries worth exploring. 

Job Boards
Search occupations of interest in the industry-specific job boards below to learn about skill requirements, employers, job duties and available jobs. You may also wish to search more general online job boards. 

Other links

External resources that will provide you with additional information about the occupation, areas of work and opportunities to build experience: 

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Last updated: April 23, 2021