Communications Manager

Visit Ithaca is hiring! We are seeking a Communications Manager to join our team of passionate, talented Destination Marketing professionals who are committed to sharing our Gorges community with the world. This is a full-time, non-exempt position starting at a compensation rate of $30.25-$32.30 per hour, within a 37.5 hour work week. We are proud to offer a robust benefits package including health insurance, 401K match, paid leave, and wellness initiatives, among several others. We are a hybrid remote/in-person organization committed to supporting our employees through a flexible workplace structure.To apply, please read thoroughly the following information about this opportunity, and send your resume along with answers to the assessment questions within this posting to Mary Kay Marks at [email protected]. Please note that your application materials MUST include answers to the assessment questions-otherwise your materials will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for candidacy.ROLE DESCRIPTION:Under the supervision of the Director of Marketing, the Communications Manager will support the annual work plan goals of the Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention & Visitors Bureau and its Visit Ithaca brand by leading communications and public relations efforts. Act as key liaison to regional tourism partners, contracted media/PR firms, and travel trade and influencers, facilitating coverage which meets mutual goals and results in quality media placements with a high return on investment and impressions across platforms. Collaborate with the CVB and Chamber team to represent organization to the community, our stakeholders, and visitors to the area. In addition to strong written communications skills, experience managing projects involving multiple stakeholders and gaining consensus is also highly relevant.JOB DUTIES:Media Relations & PR: Coordinate all media and influencer hosting, including qualifying, itinerary planning, hosting in county, and follow up to increase success of destination visibility and awareness, especially as it relates to key focus areas in the Tompkins County strategic tourism plan and CVB annual workplan. Develop and edit copy in a wide range of print and digital applications which may include media kits, media releases, persuasive copy writing for web and social media. Spearhead annual Travel Guide production, including project management, content development, advertising sales, and working cross-departmentally with Visitor Experience team. Distribute media releases and pitches to targeted media lists around internal campaigns, events and promotions. Collaborate with the Social Media Specialist to identify and vet guest content creators. Explore options and make recommendations for optimizing use of technology to deliver images, stories and pitches to media efficiently and effectively. Act as main point of contact for local and national sponsored media visits, inquiries and pitches. Utilize internal tools for tracking and reporting PR activity such as Simpleview CRM to maintain media contacts, track earned media, and report benefits to tourism partners. Nurture relationships with local and regional media to enhance knowledge of local tourism efforts and impacts on community, to engage with the local community to position Visit Ithaca as a resource on tourism expertise, and to effectively communicate about local tourism collaborations among the CVB/Chamber and tourism partners. Work with Director of Marketing to update and maintain relevant media relations resources via the website, Crowdriff and other online platforms. Stay knowledgeable of relevant and new/unique tourism offerings to pull into media pitches and queries, including participation in local/regional FAM tours and product knowledge education opportunities.Partner Communications: With CVB team, develop content and distribute bi-weekly partner newsletters, and surveys as requested. Work with CVB team to gather and submit w