Business & Entrepreneurship Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Are you a dynamic, positive and driven individual with a passion for supporting small businesses and fostering economic growth? The Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Trade is looking for a Business and Entrepreneurship Specialist who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is eager to make a meaningful impact on our province's entrepreneurial landscape!
 

Reporting to the Manager of Small Business Supports, the Business and Entrepreneurship Specialist is responsible for engaging with small businesses, ensuring intelligence, opportunities and challenges are informing program development and policy. This position ensures information on Government of Alberta programs flows to stakeholders and businesses to foster increased economic growth for all regions across Alberta.
 

The responsibilities include:

• Develop and maintain relationships with small business support organizations and government colleagues to exchange information and assess emerging trends.
• Stay current on the changing political landscape impacting small businesses, identify gaps in support services, and synthesize findings to inform policy and program recommendations.
• Respond directly to inquiries (email and phone calls) from business owners through the Biz Connect portal and from the Minister’s Office.
• Research and evaluate government programs, services, and resources that may be helpful to guide entrepreneurs in accessing relevant support.
• Manage grants with organizations that deliver small business programs and services, ensuring alignment with department objectives.
• Prepare high-quality written materials, including briefings and responses, analysis to inform senior leadership of small business issues, and manage phone and email inquiries from business owners.
• Represent the Small Business Supports team at stakeholder engagements, government events, and trade shows, and promote the Biz Connect small business team and Alberta supports for businesses (requiring a valid Class 5 driver’s license).

Success in this role requires strong critical thinking and analytical skills to assess small business needs, and a high level of political acumen to understand stakeholder positions in order to help inform decision-making. The Specialist needs solid written communication skills, as well as verbal, and will collaborate with cross-ministry teams, contribute to policy discussions, is proactive and comfortable with ambiguity.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.
 

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:  https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.
 

Key Competencies for this opportunity include: 
 

Build Collaborative Environments: 
This position is required to contribute to and promote collaboration among team members as well as contribute to a positive team culture. The position recognizes diverse people and perspectives, and is open to new ideas.
 

Creative Problem Solving:
This position is required to identify solutions to various challenges that have no set precedent. Must seek information from internal and external stakeholders and consider all perspectives before generating potential solutions.  
 

Agility: 
This position is often faced with various competing priorities that are affected by economic, social, and political stances. Must be able to remain flexible and be able to adapt to quickly changing priorities, or manage multiple priorities, while still meeting timelines. Must anticipate outcomes and pro-actively provide support to other team members.
 

Systems Thinking: 
This position requires strategic thinking and consideration of long-term and holistic implications of present recommendations in line with strategic objectives and economic opportunities.
 

Develop Networks:
This position requires strategic collaboration and relationships development with various internal and external stakeholders. Must maintain and develop strong networks to stay abreast of programs and services offered throughout the region.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards
University graduation in Business, Public Policy, Economics or a related field with a focus in Economics plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below. 
 

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 
 

The successful candidate must have: 

• A valid Class 5 driver’s license 
• Strong written and oral communication skills (writing reports and/or executive briefing notes, etc.) 
• Well-developed critical thinking, research, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of provincial, municipal, and federal legislation, policies
• Provide analysis, reports, briefings, and presentations.
• Experience in analysing of small business challenges, identifying gaps in support services, and synthesizing findings to inform policy and program recommendations.
• Experience in developing relationships with small business organizations and government representatives (various stakeholders) 
• Knowledge in Researching, evaluating, and summarizing government programs, services, and resources to guide entrepreneurs in accessing relevant support.
• Experience managing grants with organizations that deliver small business programs and services, ensuring alignment with department objectives
• Knowledge of emerging issues, trends and needs of Alberta small businesses and entrepreneurs to promote economic resilience, recovery and growth.
• Knowledge of community development practices and economic trends provincially, nationally and globally.
• Knowledge of government processes, and familiarity with the business plan cycle, annual report, and other operational processes. 
• Sound knowledge of project management approaches and experience engaging with stakeholders and small businesses.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is one (1) temporary, full-time 1 Year position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Cover letter is Mandatory. 

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 
 

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.