Position Overview

Under the direction of the Recreation Supervisor, Marketing Services, the Marketing Designer is responsible for supporting the end-to-end implementation of marketing strategies across all channels to increase awareness of and participation in programs, services, and events. This includes, but is not limited to, creating, coordinating and maintaining design elements and copy for print, digital, web, email, and social media platforms. The Marketing Designer is responsible for the layout and production of promotional literature and publications, including the Recreation Guide; supports social media and website administration; conducts market research/benchmarks; develops visual identity artwork and guidelines for signage at recreation facilities; and liaises with external vendors to source marketing materials.

Responsibilities

Marketing and Design
• Creates, coordinates and maintains the design and copy for marketing materials across all traditional and digital channels, including print, digital, web, email, and social media platforms, in adherence to branding standards. This includes, but is not limited to, websites, TVs, transit ads, publications, posters/flyers, presentations, award applications, forms, advertisements, signage, eNewsletter/email, social media and YouTube posts/stories/videos.

• Responsible for the extraction, design, layout, and production of departmental long form print and digital publications, including the seasonal Recreation Guide, to adhere with the program planning critical path. Liaises with the publisher and provides all necessary files.
• Conducts market research/benchmarks, identifies audience preferences and scans competitor strategies to make recommendations regarding marketing and design trends/best practices, and develops branding concepts, to support marketing and communication projects.
• Researches, recommends, sources and procures marketing and promotional products that resonate with the department’s target audience and user groups, while adhering to budget allocation.
• Assists with creating, editing and auditing program titles and descriptions.
• Develops marketing materials needed for media packages, including Public Service Announcements and Council packages.
• Participates in strategy sessions to contribute to the development of targeted marketing plans.
• Assists with developing artwork, guidelines, and procedures for visual identity (e.g., signage, marketing displays, staff uniforms) at recreation facilities, and helps conduct audits to ensure consistency.
• Provides social media administration support, including designing, writing, and scheduling posts; replies to comments and answers questions through DMs on various platforms, and flags and/or escalates issues to Supervisor; tracks insights and engagement.
• Conducts on-site coverage of recreational programs and events, this includes video filming and editing, copywriting for social media, and posting on various channels including social media and YouTube.
• Provides website maintenance, including designing graphic elements and webpage layouts, writing and scheduling content; updating fees, creating accessible documents and forms; tracking insights; and posting emergency notices and service disruptions.

Interactions with Others
• Liaises with department staff regarding the marketing of programs, services and events.

• Works closely with departmental staff to review recreation program content to ensure that information published on multiple platforms/channels is current, accurate and consistent, flags issues to Supervisor.
• Participates on marketing, promotional and communications committees and taskforces as assigned.
• Liaises with external vendors and service providers to establish specifications, obtain quotes, send artwork, and coordinate production and delivery of marketing materials, in consultation with the Supervisor.
• Assists with monitoring the department’s marketing email inbox and reviewing/actioning marketing services requests.
• Provides training and support to associated staff regarding marketing and design standards, templates and tools/software, as well as policies and procedures.

Qualifications and Experience

• Three (3) year College or University Diploma in Graphic Design.
• Minimum four (4) years’ experience in the marketing industry, designing and creating promotional material, including producing camera-ready artwork for large-scale publications and a wide range of print and digital projects, working with printing companies, developing production schedules and plans to meet critical paths, copy writing, social media, and website management and, conducting market research, preferably in a municipal recreational environment.
• Registered Graphic Designer (RGD) designation required.
• Competency in personal computers (PC) and associated software (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, database software).
• Highly proficient in Desktop Publishing applications including Adobe Creative Cloud InDesign, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Acrobat, Illustrator, Photoshop.
• Knowledge of Drupal and PerfectMind is an asset.
• Knowledgeable of current graphic design and marketing trends.
• Dealing with confidential and sensitive information with professionalism and diplomacy.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.
• Excellent oral, presentation and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated ability in the City’s core competencies and relevant functional competencies.
• A valid Ontario ‘G’ driver’s license, in good standing, with access to a reliable vehicle for corporate use.