Public Relations & Communications Manager

The Public Relations & Communications Manager position is responsible for cultivating positive publicity for Madison as a leisure and convention/event destination, and for the GMCVB as an economic development and partnership-based organization.

Public Relations:

• Meet or exceed public relations goals for destination publicity, convention trade publicity and organization publicity
• Responsible for cultivation of story ideas and positive exposure for Madison/Dane County as a tourism destination (leisure and convention/event) and for the GMCVB as a best practice CVB, key local economic development driver and a partnership-based organization
• Research, strategize and develop public relations plan targeting key media personnel and mediums to garner publicity in national trade and leisure publications
• Research new outlets/mediums/channels for publicity for GMCVB and the Greater Madison/Dane County destination
• Research, write and prepare materials for media inquiries and travel writer visits
• Cultivate and coordinate media Familiarization trips
• Cultivate and maintain highly beneficial relationships with local, regional and national media as well as public relations peers at partner organizations
• Capitalize on desk side visit trips
• Provide direction and support to visiting film crews
• Secure and manage 8-10 community speaking engagements per year
• Manage press kit requests including content materials, potential story ideas and other materials as needed
• Manage tracking database for public relations initiatives and destination / organization press coverage
• Maintain and coordinate all complimentary GMCVB listings with other publications, including Web sites, phone books, and other media

Communications:

• Project manage the production of Bureau communications, including, but not limited to Year in Review, E-newsletters (Elected Official), Visitors Guide and online video content
• Manage and update content for GMCVB press kit materials
• Develop talking points and produce presentations and supporting materials for GMCVB speaking engagements, sales bid presentations and partnership events
• Administer content of GMCVB web site
• Write copy for other GMCVB communications including, but not limited to press releases, editorials, news stories etc. 

Other Duties:

• Cultivate new partnerships and maintain existing relationships with local professional photographers to enhance the bureau's media image library
• Collaborate with Graphic Designer to manage image library and coordinate image loan requests
• Play integral role in developing Communications/Public Relations strategy and business plan
• Other duties assigned, including but not limited to: coordination of mailings, correspondence and answering phone inquiries from media
• Actively participate with GMCVB team on related bureau functions, events, activities and projects.
• Travel may be required by the VP of Marketing & Strategic Planning for training, special projects, presentations and other Bureau supported functions
• Performs other activities as directed by the VP of Marketing & Strategic Planning 

*The above is intended to describe the general content of and major responsibilities for performance of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive statement of job duties or requirements.

Knowledge and Education Required:

• Minimum of Bachelors Degree in Communication, Journalism or related field.
• Familiarity with basic marketing and media relations principles and practices, normally acquired through college-level courses in journalism, public relations, marketing or a related field.
• Knowledge of the Madison and Dane County area, including the hospitality community (accommodations, attractions, restaurants, etc.) is beneficial. 

Abilities and Experience Required: 

• Professional experience in public relations, communications or marketing of at least two or three years.
• Excellent creative sense.
• Ability to transform marketing objectives into effective creative concepts.
• Strong initiative.
• Ability to develop and implement plans to accomplish measurable goals.
• Ability to organize and maintain detailed databases and archives.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines
• Commitment to quality and accuracy.
• Professional and upbeat manner.

Accountabilities:

• Lead, motivate, train, direct, and supervise intern
• Perform periodic and annual review of intern
• Pursue pertinent professional development opportunities within the GMCVB budget
• Build annual department goals as well as individual performance plans and goals for department personnel
• Establish priorities for GMCVB department budget and body of work based on organizational priorities and goals and are effective expenditures of resources.

Part-time, average of 20 hours/week. $21.63/hour.