Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants
(NOC 4163)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesBusiness development officers and marketing researchers 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. For example, economic development officers design and administer programs to encourage and support the development of new industries in rural areas. Tourism industry consultants research and recommend marketing strategies to attract more tourists to an area. They work for government departments, international organizations, marketing firms and business associations or may be self-employed.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow slightly over the next few years, which should provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat to employment opportunities over the coming years. Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants most commonly work full-time hours. Also, a fair portion of the workforce is self-employed, so having the option to "work for yourself" may appeal to some individuals’ interests/motivations.
The median employment income for 63% of Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $60,235. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$12.95
Minimum$28.85
Median$49.23
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,136
Minimum$50,929
Median$100,093
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$14.74
Minimum$33.28
Median$46.76
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Business development officers and marketing researchers 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. For example, economic development officers design and administer programs to encourage and support the development of new industries in rural areas. Tourism industry consultants research and recommend marketing strategies to attract more tourists to an area. They work for government departments, international organizations, marketing firms and business associations or may be self-employed.
Job duties
Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants:
- Develop policies and administer programs to promote industrial and commercial business investment in urban and rural areas.
- Design market research questionnaires.
- Conduct social or economic surveys on local, regional, or national areas to assess development potential and future trends.
- Plan development projects and coordinate activities with representatives of a wide variety of industrial and commercial enterprises, community and business associations, and government agencies.
- Assess business opportunities and develop strategies to attract venture capital.
- Respond to questions from members of the business community and public concerning development opportunities.
- Review and evaluate commercial or industrial development proposals and provide advice on procedures and requirements for government approval.
- Conduct surveys and analyze data on the buying habits and preferences of wholesale or retail consumers.
- Evaluate customer service and store environments.
- Conduct comparative research on marketing strategies for industrial and commercial products.
- Develop social and economic profiles of urban and rural areas to encourage industrial and commercial investment and development.
- Prepare reports, research papers, educational texts, or articles.
- Plan and develop E-commerce strategies.
- Provide consultation on planning and starting of new businesses.
Sample job titles
- advertising analyst
- business development officer
- economic development consultant
- economic development officer
- marketing consultant
- marketing researcher
- regional development officer
- small business counsellor
- tourism development officer
Skills
You should be organized, resourceful, and able to co-operate with others in a team. You must be able to communicate clearly, both in speaking and in writing. You will need an interest in research and familiarity with computers. Advanced computer and technical skills for data manipulation and statistical analysis may be required in some positions.
Job requirements
- A bachelor's degree in economics, commerce, business administration or public administration is required.
- Certification as a certified economic developer (Ec.D.) may be required.
Other considerations
Progression to managerial positions is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Annapolis Valley
North Shore
Southern
Cape Breton
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Professional, scientific and technical services
Finance and insurance
Public administration
Retail trade
Wholesale trade
What is the age of Employment?
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
15-24
65+
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$55,887 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$43,506 median annual incomeHigh school
$16,482 median annual incomeMaster
$52,673 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$56,476 median annual incomeCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor
$45,929 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$35,398 median annual incomeMaster
$71,043 median annual incomeHigh school
$29,055 median annual incomeDoctorate
$100,443 median annual incomeEducation & training
Advertising
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on creating, implementing, transmitting, and evaluating commercial messages in various media intended to promote and sell products, services, and brands and prepares students to function as advertising assistants, technicians, and managers. They include courses in advertising theory, marketing strategy, advertising design and production methods, campaign methods and techniques, media management, related principles of business management, and applicable technical and equipment skills.
Institutions providing this program
Business Administration and Management
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. They include courses in management theory, human resources management and behaviour, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.
Institutions providing this program
Lower Sackville, NS
Halifax, NS
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Truro, NS
Stellarton, NS
Port Hawkesbury, NS
Business/Commerce
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs focus on the general study of business, including the processes of interchanging goods and services (buying, selling and producing), business organization, and accounting as used in profit-making and non-profit public and private institutions and agencies. They prepare students to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.
Institutions providing this program
Computer and Information Sciences
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs focus on computing, computer science, and information science and systems as part of a broad and/or interdisciplinary program. Such programs are undifferentiated as to title and content and are not to be confused with specific programs in computer science, information science, or related support services.
Institutions providing this program
Development Economics and International Development
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the systematic study of the economic development process and its application to the problems of specific countries and regions. They include courses in economic development theory, industrialization, land reform, infrastructural development, investment policy, the role of governments and business in development, international development organizations, and the study of social, health, and environmental influences on economic development.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Economics
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the systematic study of the production, conservation and allocation of resources in conditions of scarcity, together with the organizational frameworks related to these processes. They include courses in economic theory, microeconomics and macroeconomics, comparative economic systems, money and banking systems, international economics, quantitative analytical methods, and applications to specific industries and public policy issues.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
International Business
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to manage international businesses and/or business operations. They include courses in the principles and processes of export sales, trade controls, foreign operations and related problems, monetary issues, international business policy, and applications to doing business in specific countries and markets.
Institutions providing this program
Marketing/Marketing Management
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to undertake and manage the process of developing consumer audiences and moving products from producers to consumers. They include courses in buyer behaviour and dynamics, principles of marketing research, demand analysis, cost-volume and profit relationships, pricing theory, marketing campaign and strategic planning, market segments, advertising methods, sales operations and management, consumer relations, retailing, and applications to specific products and markets.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Public Administration
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to serve as managers in the executive arm of government and focus on the systematic study of executive organization and management. They include courses in the roles, development, and principles of public administration, the management of public policy, executive-legislative relations, public budgetary processes and financial management, administrative law, public personnel management, professional ethics, and research methods.
Institutions providing this program
Sydney, NS
Public Policy Analysis
University ProgramThese programs focus on the systematic analysis of public policy issues and decision processes. They include courses in the role of economic and political factors in public decision making and policy formulation, microeconomic analysis of policy issues, resource allocation and decision modelling, cost/benefit analysis, statistical methods, and applications to specific public policy topics.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
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