Work With Us
The Town of Bridgewater is currently seeking a Tourism and Events Development Officer to join our team.
The Town of Bridgewater is committed to offering equal employment opportunities based on qualifications and performance, and free from discrimination because of age, race or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, family status, gender identity, or other protected characteristics, in accordance with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Code. At the Town of Bridgewater, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment, and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [email protected] or call 902-543-4651.
About The Role
Reporting to the Economic Development Manager, the Tourism and Events Development Officer, will work with businesses and industry, committees of both Town and community, as well as regional, provincial and national organizations to create an annual plan that maximizes the Marketing Levy funds.
The focus of this role is to foster increased economic activity resulting from visitors to Bridgewater. The priority for this position is supporting the sustainability and demand for existing businesses and experiences while maintaining the integrity and authenticity of our community in a manner that fosters inclusivity and ensures alignment with our community values and aspirations.
This position leverages Market Levy funds to support initiatives to strengthen and diversify our tourism sector through collaborations that result in incremental overnight stays and extended length of stay. Bridgewater's position as an anchor within the LaHave River Valley, the South Shore and provincial tourism sector is intended to result in increased expenditures within Bridgewater and contribute to the quality of life for residents.
About You
You are driven by a vision to create meaningful, positive experiences for both community members and visitors. Working with stakeholders, you naturally see potential and opportunities to enhance strengthen of the town through tourism, events, and business engagement.
A natural connector, you foster relationships with ease and enjoy collaborating with diverse partners, those that are obvious as well as discovering new ones. You are genuinely curious about people, creating connections, and are energized by bringing ideas to life.
Entrepreneurial in your approach, you understand the vital role the business community plays in creating a vibrant, welcoming destination. You recognize how storytelling, promotion, and visitor experiences contribute to economic vitality and community pride.
Creativity and initiative are among your strengths. You motivate, and are motivated by, opportunities that make a tangible impact. You are open minded, inclusive, and respectful of diverse perspectives, experiences, and cultures, and you bring this lens to your work every day.
Primary Responsibilities
- Establish strong relationships and a communication plan to engage short-term rentals and tourism industry-associated businesses to foster compliance with Marketing Levy By-Law and annual plan connection and collaboration.
- In consultation with industry, undertake the development of a Tourism Destination Development and Marketing Plan.
- Oversee compliance of short-term rental owners with the Marketing Levy By-Law.
- Leverage Marketing Levy funds and associated budgets to attract sponsorship, cooperative event and marketing activities, and accessing external funding opportunities.
- Oversees development and management of the Town’s tourism-focused marketing and communication, including website, social media, content creation, asset management, etc.
- Create and manage the Bridgewater Major Events Funding/Investment Program.
- Foster and facilitate event attraction, development, hosting, management and coordination that contributes to the goals of the Destination Development and Marketing Plan.
- Serve as the Town’s staff support for the Bridgewater Events Committee and its Terms of Reference, assisting with volunteer recruitment, committee and logistic coordination.
- Contribute tourism perspectives and priorities within the Town’s economic development plans.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for tourism businesses and stakeholders involved in the Marketing Levy and Tourism Destination development.
- Participate in Emergency Management training, exercises and activations of the Emergency Operations Center as needed.
Qualifications
- Post-secondary education in Tourism, Recreation/Leisure Studies, Business, Marketing and Public Relations, or the equivalent.
- Minimum of 3 years’ related work experience in business, tourism, marketing and/or event planning/management.
- Demonstrated general knowledge of municipal government operations is an asset.
- Previous experience with business engagement, public event planning, volunteer coordination is required.
- Experience with graphic art/ advertising development is considered an asset.
- Previous experience with fundraising is considered an asset.
- Proficient computer skills including the Microsoft Office Suite of programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- High level of proficiency with use of social media platforms in particular Facebook, YouTube and Instagram), and website management.
- Facilitation and public meeting hosting skills.
- Practical knowledge of Bridgewater and the surrounding area, as well as community contacts and potential partners/ resources/ performers is considered an asset.
- Familiarity with photography, videography and editing of these resources is considered an asset.
- Practical knowledge of volunteer engagement best practices.
- Practical knowledge of event planning and evaluation techniques.
Terms of Employment
- Non-union position.
- Term: 2 year, with plan to become permanent depending on Marketing Levy budget availability.
- Office location shall be Town Hall, Town Hall is open to the public 8:30am – 4:30pm. Work outside of regular office hours is required to meet operational demands.
- Salary range: $59,923-$77,044, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
- The position is eligible for the Town's generous and comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined benefit pension plan (PSSP).
Click here for a detailed job description.
This position will remain posted until the position filled.
