Job Description
This position reports to the Director of Economic Development.
The Digital Main Street Ontario Grants program expands the previously existing Digital Main Street (DMS) program developed in partnership by the City of Toronto and the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA). Thanks to a renewed investment in the DMS Ontario Grants Program (OGP) from the provincial government, many more of the province’s small businesses are able to take full advantage of digital technologies and e-commerce platforms to increase their revenues and create jobs.
Digital Service Squads (DSS) are digital technology support specialists in an area or region of Ontario who deliver one-on-one assistance to brick-and-mortar small businesses. Through the Digital Main Street program, the Town of Oakville has an existing Digital Service Squad, and is currently seeking an outgoing, enthusiastic, and qualified candidate to join the Squad. As a member of the Digital Service Squad, you will be a key contributor to the success and growth of the program as a whole.
The focus of the role is to work one-on-one with main street businesses and provide the following services:
On-boarding Assistance
- Conduct pre-business visit research to best understand the BIA, neighbourhood and businesses. Work with the DSS team, to set-appointments or go door-to-door to onboard main street businesses to the Digital Main Street platform.
- Walk-through the on-boarding survey with the business owner and use appreciative inquiry methods to best understand their business goals and how digital tools/technology can assist them in meeting their goals.
- The full extent of issues may not be readily apparent and often require investigation and research. Analysis and/or problem solving requires interpretation of information according to established techniques and principals.
- Assist the business in staying in touch with Digital Main Street by subscribing to the e-newsletter and social media channels.
Advisory Services
- Provide recommendations to business owners for the types of tools and technologies that could be utilized, based on the on-boarding assessment.
- Once the business has been on-boarded to the Digital Main Street platform, the Digital Service Squad member will walk through the Digital Assessment and Recommendations with the business owner.
- Assist the business owner in identifying their first priorities and the first digital tools/technology they need to activate.
- Review vendor recommendations made through the platform and lead the business owner to relevant deals/discounts on the platform.
Activation/Implementation
- Coordinate materials and resources to carry out own tasks, individual projects or complex processes/activities. Prioritize work according to deadlines.
- Activate and implement free, easy-to-use digital tools and technologies that businesses would like to use (i.e., building a basic website, activating social media accounts, etc.) and provide resources for additional learning. This may be accomplished in one-on-one meetings with businesses or through the planning and delivery of a workshop for multiple businesses.
- Deliver services according to the framework of policies and procedures, selecting and adapting specific services according to customer requirements. Assess the businesses’ requirements and adapt the way service is supplied within the framework of policies and guidelines, to best serve the client’s needs.
- Provide some resources (articles, links, how-to guides, webinars) available through secondary sources that can help the business owner learn more about a particular tool that has been activated, or subject matter of interest.
Reporting
- Complete field notes and report on a weekly basis to the Director of Economic Development
- An interim performance evaluation will occur to ensure fit for the Digital Service Squad, halfway through the contract.
- Must attend Team Meetings.
- May be required to attend workshops and events related to Digital Main Street.
- Must ensure all data is accurately and completely entered within the Digital Main Street CRM (Hub Spot) after each business interaction or on a daily basis.
Special Projects
- Responsible for leading the implementation of special projects and/or community-wide initiatives (i.e. Google 360 photography).
- Work with the Director of Economic Development to ensure successful activation of initiatives and increased Digital Main Street engagement.
- Be available to help business owners develop their Digital Transformation Plan needed to apply for the Digital Transformation Grant, and can subsequently help to implement the plan, if approved for the Grant.
Digital Service Team Members will have the opportunity to interface directly with the BIAs and the Digital Main Street corporate partners (Google, Mastercard, Microsoft, Yellow Pages, Shopify and Rogers Communications). The candidate will receive training on the program and from the aforementioned corporate partners prior to in-field deployment. This position is a hybrid model with a mix of virtual and in-person meetings. Local health conditions allowing, the majority of time spent will be in the field working with businesses.
- Have completed post secondary education in Business, Marketing, Communications or related discipline
- Possess strong communications skills (written and verbal)
- Possess strong interpersonal and relationship building/relationship management skills
- Possess excellent organizational and time management skills
- Have experience in a sales role and/or marketing environment
- Be able to travel to and work independently (or remotely) with local businesses
- Be familiar with digital technologies for small business (e.g., web, social media, e-commerce, etc.)
- Be able to use basic software and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point), Calendly and Microsoft Teams
- Previous experience with online and offline marketing is considered an asset
- Previous experience working with small businesses in BIAs is considered an asset.
- Applicants will be required to provide their own transportation and may be working throughout Oakville.
Apply
Go Back