DIRECTOR, TRADE

As the Director, Trade, you will lead Edmonton Global's trade portfolio, working with businesses, governments, industry associations, and international partners to accelerate exports, expand market access, and create new opportunities for companies across the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. The role provides strategic leadership for trade initiatives while helping businesses navigate international markets, connect with global partners, and pursue growth beyond Canada's borders.

This is a highly visible leadership role for someone who enjoys building relationships, creating opportunities, solving complex challenges, and bringing people together around a shared vision for economic growth. One day you may be meeting with exporters and industry leaders to identify market opportunities; another day you may be leading an international trade mission, briefing senior stakeholders, working with government partners, or helping a regional company enter a new market for the first time.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Director, Trade provides strategic and operational leadership for Edmonton Global's trade portfolio. The role is responsible for developing and executing trade strategies, international partnerships, market development initiatives, export programs, and performance measures that help Edmonton Region companies grow through global commerce.

The Director works closely with Business Development to create a seamless company-support model. While Business Development focuses on identifying opportunities and supporting company growth, the Trade team helps businesses access international markets, participate in trade missions, strengthen export readiness, and connect with global partners. Together, these teams help regional businesses access the knowledge, connections, and opportunities needed to succeed internationally.

This position will involve occasional travel within Canada and internationally, as well as participation in trade missions, conferences, stakeholder events, and meetings outside regular business hours when required.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Develop and execute Edmonton Global's trade strategy, aligning regional opportunities with international market demand.
• Identify priority international markets, sectors, supply chains, and export opportunities for regional businesses.
• Lead trade missions, business delegations, buyer forums, export-focused events, and international partner engagements.
• Develop the framework for local industry ecosystems and their relationship to investment attraction through engagement and processes.
• Responsible for targeting, marketing and progressing a pipeline of trade opportunities.
• Build relationships with regional companies to understand their growth plans, capabilities, competitive advantages, and international ambitions.
• Help companies assess export readiness and connect them with programs, resources, partners, and opportunities that support international growth.
• Work alongside Business Development to identify companies with export potential and create coordinated pathways for support, introductions, and follow-up.
• Build and strengthen relationships with municipal, provincial, federal, and international stakeholders, including trade agencies, industry associations, research institutions, and private-sector partners.
• Represent Edmonton Global at domestic and international events, conferences, industry forums, and trade-related initiatives.
• Provide strategic advice, market intelligence, briefings, and recommendations to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Establish and monitor performance measures that demonstrate trade outcomes, business engagement, export growth, and program impact.
• Lead, mentor, and support trade staff while fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.

WHAT YOU BRING

• A bachelor's degree in International Business, Business Administration, Commerce, Economics, Public Policy, International Relations, Economic Development, or a related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• 8-10+ years of progressive leadership experience in international trade, export development, economic development, business development, investment attraction, international market development, government relations, or a related field.
• Experience developing and implementing trade, export, market development, or economic development strategies.
• Experience leading trade missions, international delegations, stakeholder engagement initiatives, or export development programs.
• Experience working collaboratively with business development, investment attraction, or client-facing teams to support business growth.
• Strong leadership experience, including coaching teams, setting priorities, and driving results.
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong understanding of global markets, export development, supply chains, trade agreements, international business practices, and market-entry strategies.
• Experience using CRM tools and performance tracking systems; HubSpot experience is an asset.
• Additional language capabilities, professional trade designations, or economic development credentials are considered assets.

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK HERE

Edmonton Global is a purpose-driven organization with a regional mandate and a collaborative culture. We move at the speed of business, embrace innovation, and are committed to helping businesses succeed in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region and beyond.

This role is ideal for a connector, strategist, and relationship-builder who wants to have a meaningful impact on regional economic growth. You will work with ambitious companies, influential stakeholders, and global partners while helping shape the future of trade and investment for our region.

JOIN US

If you are passionate about international business, trade, and economic development, and you want to help Edmonton Region companies succeed in global markets, we would love to hear from you.

Join us in building connections, creating opportunities, and helping local businesses compete and grow on the world stage.