About the job
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 are employed by government departments, international organizations, marketing firms and business associations or may be self-employed.
- 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 enquiries from members of the business community and general 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.
- advertising analyst
- business development officer
- economic development consultant
- economic development officer
- marketing consultant
- marketing researcher
- regional development officer
- small business counsellor
- tourism development officer
To work in these fields, you should be organized, resourceful, and able to co-operate with others in a team. You must be able to communicate clearly, both orally 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.
- 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.
Progression to managerial positions is possible with experience.
Labour Market Information
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 large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.
The median employment income for 65% 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)
Occupation | Estimated employment in 2018 | Estimated change in employment between 2017 and 2019 | Estimated openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019 | Estimated rate of unemployment in 2018 | Estimated hourly earnings in 2015 (learn more) | Estimated annual earnings in 2015 |
Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants | 1,105 | Weak growth | 45 | Moderate | Minimum: $24.00 Median: $36.69 Maximum: $54.95 | Minimum: $5,136 Median: $50,929 Maximum: $100,093 |
Occupations in Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services | 55,420 | Moderate growth | 4,880 | Low | Minimum: $14.00 Median: $26.88 Maximum: $46.15 | Minimum: $5,616 Median: $44,335 Maximum: $92,599 |
Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants | Compared to: Occupations in Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services | |
Percent employed full-time | 90% | 79% |
Percent self-employed | 0% | 6% |
Area of Employment | Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants | Compared to: All NS Occupations | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Southern | 7% | x | 12% | $30,581 |
Northern | 9% | x | 16% | $33,660 |
Cape Breton | 7% | x | 13% | $32,974 |
Halifax | 66% | x | 47% | $41,209 |
Annapolis Valley | 10% | x | 13% | $32,958 |

Age | Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants | Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services |
% Employed | % Employed | |
15-24 | 11% | N/A |
25-34 | 24% | 5% |
35-44 | 23% | 37% |
45-54 | 17% | 29% |
55-64 | 14% | 24% |
65+ | 8% | 5% |
Median Age | 43 | 44 |

Gender | Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants | Compared to: Occupations in Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services |
% Employed | % Employed | |
Female | 45% | 64% |
Male | 55% | 36% |
Education | Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants | Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Less than high school | N/A | x | 2.8% | $11,346 |
High school | 17.4% | x | 14.3% | $25,801 |
Trades certificate | 3.5% | x | 4.2% | $35,678 |
College certificate or diploma | 23.0% | x | 21.5% | $28,183 |
University certificate or diploma | 1.7% | x | 2.6% | $35,967 |
Bachelor's degree | 42.2% | $50,279 | 29.2% | $43,533 |
University advanced certificate or diploma | 1.7% | x | 3.4% | $47,801 |
Master's degree | N/A | $60,391 | 17.2% | $35,978 |
Doctorate | 11.3% | x | 4.6% | $60,991 |
Medicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry | N/A | x | 0.2% | $83,456 |
Total | 100% | 100% |
Hourly earnings data are from the Labour Force Survey by Statistics Canada. Data are not available for all occupations. Hourly earnings are calculated based on usual hours worked per week. This is how an annual salary, for instance, gets converted to an hourly rate. The data include full and part-time workers along with new and experienced workers. Self-employed workers are excluded.
Annual employment income data reported in the Work Prospects section, are from the 2011 National Household Survey by Statistics Canada. Much of the data (around 70%) came directly from tax records. The data relates to the year 2010 and includes total wages and salaries and net income from self-employment.
Employment Requirements & Contacts
Training Paths & Education
This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the application of economic principles and analytical techniques to the study of particular industries, activities, or the exploitation of particular resources. These programs include courses in economic theory; microeconomic analysis and modelling of specific industries and commodities; the economic consequences of resource allocation decisions; regulatory and consumer factors; and the technical aspects of specific subjects as they relate to economic analysis.
This instructional program class comprises any program that generally prepares individuals to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. These programs 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.
This instructional program class comprises any program not listed above that relates to Business Administration, Management and Operations.
This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses 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. The program prepares individuals to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.
This instructional program class comprises any program not listed above that relates to Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, General.
This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the systematic study of the economic development process and its application to the problems of specific countries and regions. These programs 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.
This instructional program class comprises any general program that focuses 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. These programs 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.
This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to manage international businesses and/or business operations. These programs 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.
This instructional program class comprises any program that generally prepares individuals to undertake and manage the process of developing consumer audiences and moving products from producers to consumers. These programs 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.
This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to serve as managers in the executive arm of government; and that focuses on the systematic study of executive organization and management. These programs 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.
This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues and decision processes. These programs 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.
This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to provide direct retail services to hotel and motel clients and customers in a variety of settings. These programs include courses in the principles of hotel/motel operations, customer sales and assistance operations and techniques, telephone operations, and basic office management.
There are no additional resources for this occupation.