Marketing & Communications Manager

Job Description: MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Reports To: Executive Director

Type: Permanent Full Time, Salaried, 35 hours per week

Resumes will be accepted by email at ***email_hidden*** until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026.

POSITION SUMMARY: Reporting to the Executive Director, the Marketing & Communications Manager oversees KWO’s marketing, communications, brand management, digital engagement, public relations and membership communications to support Festival awareness, audience growth, community engagement and organizational credibility.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW: Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest (KWO) is a not-for-profit community organization that has preserved and celebrated Waterloo Region’s Bavarian heritage, culture and community spirit since 1969. Supported by over 350 passionate volunteers and dedicated staff, our events, programs and initiatives bring people together, attract tourists, improve the vibrancy of our community and make a lasting economic impact in Waterloo Region.

Marketing, Communications and Brand Management

• Develop and implement KWO’s annual marketing and communications plan, including campaign priorities, timelines, audience strategies and key performance indicators.
• Coordinate all KWO advertising, promotions and public-facing marketing for the Festival, programs and initiatives.
• Manage KWO’s brand assets and maintain consistent brand standards across print, digital, social, media, sponsor and partner materials.
• Design or coordinate the development of print and digital ads, posters, signage, promotional materials, presentations and other creative assets.
• Work with graphic designers, printers, photographers, videographers, media partners and other suppliers to deliver marketing materials on time and on budget.
• Conceptualize new branding, storytelling and marketing opportunities that strengthen Festival awareness and community engagement.
• Develop and manage the annual marketing budget, including forecasting, purchasing, invoicing and expense tracking.
• Support the Executive Director with annual budget preparation, sponsorship-related marketing deliverables and other organizational communications, as needed.

• Digital, Social Media and Website
• Create and manage KWO’s annual social media calendar, including content planning, scheduling, publishing and campaign coordination.
• Manage KWO social media channels and monitor online conversations while representing the KWO brand with professionalism, responsiveness and sound judgment.
• Update and maintain the KWO website to ensure information is accurate, accessible, timely and relevant.
• Collect and report monthly analytics for social media, media, email and website activity; use insights to improve content, campaigns and audience engagement.
• Implement and manage CRM, email marketing and other relationship-management platforms to support communications with members, volunteers, partners, audiences and stakeholders.

• Membership, Public Relations and Community Engagement
• Create and disseminate monthly e-newsletters and other regular communications to members, partners, volunteers and public audiences.
• Support media relations, public announcements, campaign messaging and other communications that enhance KWO’s profile and credibility.
• Assist with membership engagement, membership programs and events, where necessary.
• Represent KWO at community events, networking opportunities and partner activities, as required.
• Lead and support marketing volunteers, interns or temporary support roles, as needed.

• Event and Festival Support
• Oversee professional photography and videography for KWO events, Festival activities and promotional materials.
• Provide marketing and communications support for event planning and delivery, including signage, promotional timelines, audience communications, sponsor recognition and onsite content needs.
• Assist with event management and onsite support when required, particularly during peak Festival periods.

Strategic Initiatives • Assist with funding/grant applications related to marketing, communications, social media or other relatable areas, when required.

Additional duties and projects as assigned by the Executive Director

WORKING HOURS AND CONDITIONS: Staff members are expected to work during the hours that the office is open – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday from the KWO headquarters in downtown Kitchener. Flexible work schedules and work-fromhome arrangements may be coordinated with Executive Director approval. Hours may be irregular at busy times such as the run-up to events and/or the Festival. Staff may also be asked to attend events, conferences and networking opportunities in the evenings or on the weekend. Lieu time may be accumulated for future use as approved by the Executive Director.

Education, Experience and Personal Characteristics

The Marketing & Communications Manager will be creative, detail-oriented and personable, as well as a passionate KWO champion with a clear understanding of the role that KWO and the Festival play in our community. Our ideal candidate will have qualities that help enhance the promotion of the KWO Festival experience and improve upon the credibility, trust and good relations that KWO has worked hard to develop and maintain since 1969.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-secondary education in marketing, communications, public relations, digital media, design or a related field, combined with a minimum of five years’ experience managing marketing, communications and social media; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Ability to take personal initiative and work independently as a productive and supportive team member.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills through communicating and working effectively on a small team as well as with a variety of different audiences.
• Strong organizational skills in planning and completing projects by agreed deadlines; high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with proven ability to manage a broad workload.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Flexible approach to new tasks.
• Volunteer management skills are an asset.
• Experience managing social media channels and social media management platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and other relevant digital channels.
• Established experience with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop).
• Demonstrated experience with online email marketing, survey and audience engagement tools such as Mailchimp, SurveyMonkey or comparable platforms.
• Demonstrated experience with website management, including WordPress or comparable content management systems, as well as customer relationship management systems.
• Excellent working knowledge of computers and software tools including Microsoft 365, Adobe Creative Suite, email marketing platforms, website content management systems and CRM tools.

Why Work at K-W Oktoberfest?

You’ll be part of something bigger than a job – you’ll help steward one of our region’s most significant and beloved festivals. As a volunteer-driven organization supported by a small, dedicated staff team, we work closely with hundreds of passionate volunteers who bring our mission to life. This means your work has real visibility, real impact and real connection to the community. We value accountability in how we show up for each other and our partners, adaptability in a fast-paced, event-driven environment and authenticity in how we build relationships. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do – across staff, volunteers, sponsors and the broader community – while creativity and openness help us evolve and keep the Festival meaningful year after year. If you’re energized by working in a close-knit team, inspired by community impact and motivated to contribute to a legacy event that relies on trust, teamwork and shared purpose, K-W Oktoberfest is a place where your work truly matters.

K-W Oktoberfest is committed to an equity-driven, inclusive, accessible and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and to ensuring our workforce reflects the full diversity of the community we serve. We welcome applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ persons, as well as other equity deserving groups. We appreciate the interest of all applicants. Only candidates whose skills, experience and qualifications meet the requirements of the position will be contacted.

Resumes will be accepted by email at ***email_hidden*** until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026.