City of Ryde Council

Business Development Officer

• Support the long-term future of Australia's original innovation district
• Work with leading national and international companies to unlock investment
• Professional development opportunities to grow your skills

About Us

City of Ryde, just 12 kilometres from Sydney CBD, is a place of unique lifestyle and opportunity. It is home to an engaged and culturally diverse community of around 135,000 people, and a nationally significant local economy including more than 14,500 local businesses, the Macquarie Park Innovation District, world-class hospitals, and a leading university. All balanced with beautiful bushland, riverfront parks, open spaces, and sport facilities.

Our council delivers a broad range of services, projects, programs, and events. We are actively committed to innovation, sustainability, resilience and providing exceptional customer experiences, and this relies on attracting and keeping great people. We are a recognised Employer of Choice (Australian Business Awards 2022) and offer a range of benefits, including flexible work arrangements, health and wellbeing programs, a learning and development program including study support, and a reward and recognition program.

About the Role

As the Business Development Officer – Macquarie Park Innovation District, you will play a critical role in supporting the long-term future of Macquarie Park as a globally competitive innovation district. Working on behalf of the City of Ryde, you will foster productive working relationships with major business tenants and have your finger on the pulse when it comes to their evolving and growing business needs.

Bring together your understanding of business development practices and the innovation ecosystem to build a network of innovators to provide greater support for start-ups and scale-ups, deliver thought leadership events, and create fit-for-purpose investment attraction and retention strategies and supporting collateral.

Use your new network, knowledge, and insights to help the City of Ryde realise the full potential of the Macquarie Park Innovation District.

About You

You are an effective collaborator who can quickly build trust and rapport with a variety of different stakeholders. You are a strategic thinker – seeing the bigger picture and always thinking about how to unlock new opportunities. You are an effective communicator – able to hold an audience through high quality presentations and well written reports and marketing materials. You are an innovator at heart – thinking about creative solutions to complex problems in order to enhance the prosperity of businesses, workers, students, and residents in the Macquarie Park Innovation District.

In addition, you will also have:

• Proven ability to foster working relationships with senior leaders in businesses and industry groups to build networks, connect to opportunities, access business support and assistance with growth.
• Demonstrable knowledge of business development methodologies and practices.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement an engagement program as well as a program of events.
• An appropriate degree-level qualification that is recognised by tertiary education and / or professional authorities, or equivalent experience in delivering economic development outcomes within or on behalf of local, State, or Federal Governments.
• Ability to act ethically and with integrity as a representative of Council when engaging with stakeholders.

Your commencing annual salary will range from $115,985.53 to $131,801.74 + 11% Superannuation, dependent on your experience and qualifications.

Culture & Benefits

• Free shuttle bus between the North Ryde Office and North Ryde Metro Station
• Commitment to providing opportunities for work/life balance
• Hybrid work from home and office arrangements available for eligible positions
• Flexibility regarding start and finish times to suit your lifestyle
• Work 37.5 hours and enjoy a rostered day off approx. every 3 weeks  
• Long service leave after 5 years, then accrued monthly 
• 18 weeks paid parental leave at full pay (for eligible employees)
• 3 extra grant days at Christmas to ensure you have time to enjoy the holiday 
• Annual performance reviews and Award increases
• Opportunity to sign up as a fitness passport member
• Various health & well-being initiatives (i.e. flu vaccinations, skin checks, etc.)

How to apply

Please ensure you give full answers to the online application questions, showcasing your abilities and experience. Your answers, in conjunction with your resume, will determine if you are invited to an interview. 

Please note you do not need a “password” to use our on-line application system, however you have the option save and return to your application prior to the closing date. In

addition to answering the online questions, this position requires you to attach your Resume to complete the application process. 

Please note, you are not required to submit a cover letter or a statement addressing selection criteria. 

Closing Date: Sunday 9 February 2025 at 11:30pm

If you would like to know more, please see the position description or contact Dan Hughes on 0468 872 470 for a confidential discussion.

City of Ryde is committed to Equal Employment and Child Safety