Manager, Foresight (9-Month Term)

Calgary Economic Development (CED) is an opportunity-maker, helping to spark and fuel Calgary’s growth. Our job is to connect people with resources that can help them grow their careers or businesses, thrive in new locations or markets, and feel at home in our community. We offer a wealth of information to help everyone succeed and we tirelessly promote Calgary, in Canada and around the world. We are exhilarated about our role in shaping and sharing Calgary’s story and we’re proud to be part of the energy. 

Job Summary 

The Foresight Manager plays a critical role in advancing CED’s sector intelligence and long-term strategic planning. This role leads applied foresight research, develops future-focused perspectives, and supports executive-level decision-making.

You will lead a major, three-year foresight initiative—establishing a foresight hub, leveraging digital tools, and building strategic partnerships. Working across teams and with technical experts, you will position CED as a leader in anticipatory thinking and future-readiness.

This is a full-time 9-month contract position (maternity leave cover) with a minimum in-office requirement of 3 times a week.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership

• Lead and design strategic foresight projects using mixed research methodologies.
  


• Build and manage foresight tools including trends databases, scenarios, and horizon reports.
  


• Integrate foresight into strategic planning, investment decisions, and policy frameworks.
  


• Lead scenario planning and strategy stress-testing exercises.
  


• Guide multi-phase, cross-sector foresight initiatives, including a landmark three-year project.
  

Research & Analysis

• Conduct horizon scanning and monitor global trends across economic, technological, environmental, and policy domains.
  


• Translate emerging signals into foresight artifacts (e.g., reports, presentations, interactive tools).
  


• Assess the impact of new technologies and societal shifts on Calgary’s economy and sectors.
  


• Continuously evolve foresight methodologies and assess their strategic value.
  

Partner Engagement

• Build strong relationships with internal teams, external partners, researchers, and civic leaders.
  


• Facilitate inclusive foresight workshops and stakeholder dialogues.
  


• Represent CED in foresight-related forums, conferences, and publications.

Let’s Talk About You 

You are a strategic and forward-thinking professional with a passion for anticipating change and shaping the future. You thrive on applying foresight tools to uncover emerging trends, identify risks and opportunities, and translate insights into bold, actionable strategies.

You are skilled at working independently and collaboratively across complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Whether facilitating a workshop, leading a research initiative, or co-creating strategy with partners, you align diverse perspectives toward a shared vision for Calgary’s economic future.

You bring a deep curiosity about global shifts—technological, social, environmental, and economic—and have a knack for distilling complexity into clear, compelling narratives. Your experience in strategic foresight, innovation, or policy allows you to connect the dots and guide long-term planning with confidence.

You are both analytical and creative, with strong project leadership skills and an ability to manage multiple priorities under tight timelines. You’re energized by ambiguity, motivated by impact, and committed to using your work to drive meaningful change.

Above all, you’re passionate about Calgary and excited by the opportunity to help shape the city’s position as a leader in the future economy.

Education: 

·         Degree or professional certificate in Future Studies, Strategic Foresight, Innovation, Public Policy, or related field

Experience: 

• Minimum 5 years of experience in foresight, strategic planning, innovation, or sector intelligence.
  


• Demonstrated expertise in strategic foresight tools (e.g., trend analysis, horizon scanning, scenario planning).
  


• Experience working with cross-functional teams and managing complex projects.
  


• Comfort navigating ambiguity and translating future signals into practical insights.
  

What's In It For You? 

CED offers more than a competitive base salary to our employees. We have a comprehensive benefit plan that includes 100% employer paid benefit premiums. We are committed to our employee’s mental health and offer resilience training with Headversity, free counselling with an EAP program, in addition to paramedical coverage through our medical benefits plan.

EDI Commitment Statement:  

Calgary Economic Development celebrates diversity and is committed to advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Through EDI, we create a path to success for all our employees, where they have equal opportunity for advancement, have the voice to contribute to our collective growth and development and work in an inclusive environment. 

We strongly believe in accessibility in the work we do and welcome requests to make the hiring process as accessible as possible. Accommodations are available for candidates on request during all aspects of the selection process. Please advise at any point and we will do our best to work with you to meet your needs.

Calgary Economic Development adheres to the Alberta Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples and persons of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities and expressions. Please be aware that Calgary Economic Development is committed to having a safe work environment.

To Apply: 

Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and resume in confidence to: calgaryeconomic.bamboohr.com/careers by 9:00am June 2, 2025

We thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.