Job Posting

Marketing and Communications Coordinator

About the Preston Street BIA

 Established in 1986, the Preston Street BIA promotes, beautifies, and advocates for its members in Ottawa’s Little Italy. Our mission is to showcase the area as a unique cultural district, celebrated for its warm hospitality, independent owner-operated businesses, and Italian heritage, while also embracing our diverse, multi-national business community. Through advocacy, we have secured significant City investments in beautification projects, giving the area a European village feel with modern touches. The BIA is governed by a volunteer Board of Management, elected from the membership, which sets strategic direction and reports to the City of Ottawa. Day-to-day operations are managed by the Executive Director (ED).

 Position Overview

 The Marketing & Communications Coordinator supports the Executive Director, Board of Management, and BIA initiatives. This role focuses on member engagement, digital communications, marketing, event coordination, and administrative support. The ideal candidate is creative, organized, and passionate about community-building.

 Key Responsibilities

Member & Community Relations

  • Manage membership engagement: welcome packages, member visits, directory updates, and regular communications.
    • Distribute email and newsletter campaigns to members and the community.
  • Handle routine information requests and member inquiries.
  • Support community relationship-building and outreach.

Digital Communications & Marketing

  • Prepare and distribute timely email campaigns with business updates, policy changes, and resources.
  • Create and send monthly e-newsletters; manage subscriber databases.
  • Maintain and update the BIA website, including the business directory, member pages, and seasonal content.
  • Develop creative, on-brand content for social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) using Canva or similar tools.
  • Plan, schedule, and manage social media campaigns; track engagement and report analytics monthly.
  • Manage promoted posts, event pages, and influencer collaborations.
  • Act as an on-camera spokesperson when required; visit local businesses to create engaging content.

Events & Festivals

  • Assist in planning, executing, and following up on events such as the Italian Festival, Taste of Little Italy Ottawa, the Annual General Meeting, and others that may be developed.
  • Coordinate logistics, invitations, promotional materials, on-site support, and post-event feedback.
  • Liaise with media outlets and influencers to maximize exposure.

Administration & Office Support

  • Handle general office duties, including phone, email, and clerical support.
  • Support monthly Board meetings: facilitate Zoom calls, prepare documents, and take minutes.
  • Assist with financial administration, including reconciling credit card statements and submitting expenses to the City.
  • Apply for municipal and provincial grants, manage related budgets, and prepare reports.

Qualifications

  • Experience in digital communications, marketing, and event coordination.
  • Proficiency with Mailchimp (or similar platforms) and Canva.
  • Basic CRM knowledge and administrative skills.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Assets

  • Knowledge of project management principles.
  • Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat or PDF tools.
  • Understanding of community development initiatives.
  • Passion for local economic growth and small business support.

If you’re a community builder with marketing experience and a passion for local economic development, we’d love to hear from you — apply with your resume and cover letter at info@prestonstreet.com.