Job Description

DescriptionMarketing & Program Coordinator (Kitchener Market)Job Status: Permanent Full-TimePay & Grade: $63,682 - $79,602/annually Grade: 7 (under review)Hours of Work:35 Hours per weekInitial location: Kitchener MarketPosting period:April 3, 2025 to April 10, 2025 (6:00pm)OverviewCoordinates development of Kitchener Market community programming and events, as well as day-to-day programming of Kitchener Market's rental facilities. Develops and implements brand marketing strategies. Leads sales and business development related to vendor attraction rental recruitment and audience growth. Provides operations support as required to the Operations supervisor.This position works from Tuesday to Saturday.ResponsibilitiesKitchener Market Facility Rentals:

• Acts as primary contact, generates sales and receives inquiries from interested suppliers and users.
• Negotiates, develops, and ensures implementation of contracts and terms and conditions with third parties.
• Proactively develops and maintains sales pipeline for private and public event rentals (e.g. receptions, private functions, business meetings, luncheons, seminars), with the goal of aggressive growth of rental revenue.
• Working with the Operations Supervisor (Kitchener Market), oversees and coordinates onsite delivery of rental programming (including evenings, weekends), ensures efficient operation, and provides effective troubleshooting to ensure high level of user experience.
• Maintains regularly updated inventory of program supplies.
• Determines technical support requirements for events (e.g., electrical, sound system, lighting, staging, audio-visual).
• Communicate with City staff, tradespersons, service providers, and others to coordinate facility maintenance, staff support, equipment requirements, first aid, licensing and permits for events.
• Oversees and coordinates use of Market Kitchen by chefs and other user groups.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Experiential program development:

• Develops new themes, programs, and/or initiatives to support revenue generation.
• Implements programming related to special events, including maintaining budget controls, infrastructure requirements, marketing and promotional material, event themes, and participating groups.
• Liaises with colleges/schools, cultural organizations, private sector, public business sector, and public to determine needs and opportunities for development of programs to attract target audience and increase market attendance and depth and breadth of user engagement.
• Ensures financial sustainability of on-site programming, balancing free and paid programming through social enterprise revenue strategy.
• Fosters relationships with prospective vendor sponsors regarding Market Place activities/promotions and secures sponsor investment to help support programming.
• Working with the Operations Supervisor (Kitchener Market), oversees and coordinates onsite delivery of experiential programming (including evenings, weekends), ensures efficient operation, and provides effective troubleshooting to ensure high level of user experience.
• Works with Communications staff and community/program partners to develop marketing and communication plans suitable for each program to maximize reach, exposure, participation, and revenue.

Special Events:

• Leads all activities and implements work programs for the Kitchener Market Special Events, including budgetary controls, infrastructure requirements, themes, marketing and promotional materials, and participating groups, individuals, and businesses. Ensures financial sustainability of all special event programming.
• Oversight of smart serve and alcohol service and its associated tasks (including inventory management, security oversight and alcohol related risk management).
• Develops promotional materials for retail, advertising, and fairs.
• Works with Market Manager and Communications staff to develop marketing and communication plans suitable for each event to maximize reach, exposure, participation, and revenue.

Saturday Farmers Market:

• Oversees regularly scheduled Saturday Market Kitchen programming including booking program partners and performers, providing payment, kitchen inspection, and answering programming related inquiries.
• Coordinates annual seasonal programming offered at the Market facility.
• Liaises and assists City staff with City programming offered at the Market Facility.
• Acts as a backup to Program Assistant, Market during peak hours and in the absence of the incumbent including collecting payments and answering customer and vendor inquiries.
• Provides back-up support for Operations Supervisor as required (absences, busy times), including maintenance, custodial, security, parking, and vendor relations, including Saturday market.

Marketing, Brand Development and Sales:

• Works with Market Manager and Communications staff to develop and implement an overall brand strategy for the Kitchener Market.
• Develop marketing strategies and implement marketing activities.
• Working with the Market Manager actively leads sales efforts to recruit new vendors, rentals and partnerships.
• Coordinates and participates in tradeshows as a representative of the Kitchener Market Facility.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 3-year degree/diploma in a related field.
• 2-4 years of related experience, including marketing, experiential programming and licensed event management experience.
• Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization.
• Experience in coordinating large- and small-scale programming, both virtual, in person and hybrid.
• Smart Serve certified.
• Demonstrated experience executing licensed events, including oversight of smart serve and alcohol service and its associated tasks (including inventory management, security oversight and alcohol related risk management.
• Ability to assess market needs related to programming and make strategic decisions for current and future programs and events to maximize revenue.
• Demonstrated sales ability, preferably in hospitality, special events or marketing background. Demonstrated ability to hit sales targets.
• Ability to negotiate and secure rental contracts, and to retain rental partners year after year.
• Demonstrated ability to work with and co-develop partnered programming alongside diverse stakeholders within the community. Experience with/ knowledge of participatory program design a plus. Experience working with marginalized communities is an asset.
• The ability to mentor event attendants to ensure high levels of service from all staff during events and rentals.
• Ability to develop marketing and promotion plans and supporting materials to promote the Market Place, programs, and facilities to public and corporate customers.
• Excellent organizational skills. Demonstrated ability to utilize strong project management skills to ensure consistent delivery of programs and to support the meeting of long-term program goals.
• Demonstrated ability to develop financially sustainable programs, preferably through a social enterprise budgeting strategy.
• Knowledge and skill in office, financial, and business procedures to assist in the efficient daily operation of the Market Place.
• The ability to monitor trends to coordinate programs and special events that meet the needs of the public, vendors, and revenue generation.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations; food safety regulations; AGCO, licensing and permits requirements; and building, fire, and electrical codes to ensure the Market Place and its vendors are following legislation.
• An ability to communicate effectively and concisely with the public and vendors to provide customer service and foster long-term business relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Skill in the use of a personal computer with ability to use software packages such as Microsoft Word and Excel, ActiveNet, SAP, deposit program, and point-of-sale terminals.
• Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization and participate as an effective team member.
• Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.

Note: All interested applicants are encouraged to apply. In the event there is no successful applicant with the stated level of education and experience, other applicants will be considered if a combination of their education and experience meets the following pre-determined equivalency:

• 2-Year Diploma (or 2 Year Specialized Post-Secondary Program) with a minimum of 4 years' related and relevant experience
• 4 - Year Honours Degree with a minimum of 1 year related and relevant experience

Department/Division:Development Services, Economic DevelopmentGroup: CUPE 791Competition Number: 2025-070Job Code: 0817Number of positions: 1

City of Kitchener