Director of Communications - Visit Detroit

To achieve this goal of soliciting and servicing the area s secondlargest industry Visit Detroit works with the regional Detroit and Windsor area business community civic organizations and local government offices in Wayne Oakland and Macomb counties.

Visit Detroit is neither a branch of any government nor a charitable foundation. It is an independent nonprofit economic development organization which receives its funding from several sources including:

A 2 percent assessment (not a tax) on all hotels and motels with 35 or more transient rooms in Wayne Oakland and Macomb Counties.

Membership dues from the corporate community private sector trade and service organizations.

Visit Detroit s Mission:

The mission of Visit Detroit is to market and sell the Detroit metropolitan region to business and leisure visitors in order to maximize economic impact.

In collaboration with our partners stakeholders and customers our purpose is to champion the continuous improvement of the region as a dynamic and memorable tourism destination.

Position Summary:

This position is charged with formulating the strategic direction of Visit Detroit communications media and public relations to increase awareness of metro Detroit s assets that will lead to increased visitation and economic spending in the region. This position works closely with the Senior Director Marketing and the President & CEO and interacts frequently with other senior Visit Detroit leadership staff board and stakeholders regarding communications programs and strategies. This position develops working relationships with local and outofarea media representatives to ensure positive coverage of the areas tourism assets as well as manage the daytoday relationships and work with contracted public relations firms. This position is charged with the development and execution of a media crisis communications plan for the organization. This role develops the messaging and creation of public speaking presentations for the President & CEO.

Essential Job Functions:

• Supervise development and execution of an annual public relations plan to assist in achieving annual goals established for the organization. This includes media pitch strategies and messages designating target media contacts planning media tours conference and trade show participation and developing effective media information materials for consumer and trade leisure travel media local news media and meetings and conventions industry media.
  

• Lead the development of media tours for travel writers and lead the execution plans. Participates in hosting both domestic and international writers individually and in groups.
  

• Develop the messages and prepare all public presentations for the president & CEO including speechwriting and audiovisual support. Audiences include but are not limited to corporate leaders nonprofit leaders sales customers developers and media.
  

• Develop media messaging on significant issues such as new developments in the region crime and safety and pandemic response and communicate these messages to staff to ensure unified voices with customers and to media.
  

• Lead the effort to create awareness of Visit Detroit in the local market through the creation of PR programs such as Hometown Tourist Day in collaboration with the Customer/Partnership department.
  

• Supervise public relations agencies freelance writers and other contracted services needed to assist in achieving public relations goals.
  

• Establish and manage annual budget for communications and public relations in order to achieve program goals within established budget parameters and on schedule.
  

• Committed to partnering with Visit Detroit in embedding diversity equity and inclusion into company culture and operations and actively contributing to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and stakeholders.
  

• Committed to partnering with Visit Detroit in embedding diversity equity and inclusion into company culture and operations and actively contributing to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and stakeholders.
  

Additional Responsibilities:

• Approve content of all public relations and media materials for Visit Detroit including press releases tip sheets and speeches.
  

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with key local and travel media representatives.
  

• Represent Visit Detroit at travel writer conferences to build relationships and pitch Detroit as a travel destination.
  

• Work with Convention Sales and Group Tour to determine and execute public relations support needed for incoming conventions and meetings.
  

• Represent Visit Detroit at industry association community meetings and events.
  

Required Knowledge Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to think strategically analytically and creatively.
  

• Ability to establish and follow detailed action plans including timelines and budgets.
  

• Ability to make effective and persuasive public and written presentations to internal and external audiences of all levels.
  

• Ability to respond effectively to quickly changing priorities and responsibilities.
  

• Solid understanding of all aspects of public relations programming and principles.
  

• Extensive speechwriting experience.
  

• Understanding of political issues and practices within the national and international tourism industry Michigan and metropolitan Detroit.
  

• Excellent communication skills including the ability to clearly express thoughts ideas and concepts verbally and in writing in the English language.
  

• Skilled in organizing prioritizing and analyzing multiple assignments simultaneously.
  

• Ability to think and manage creatively in a fastpaced work environment.
  

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors peers colleagues and external stakeholders.
  

• Maintains a positive and professional work attitude appearance and behavior even in the most demanding situation.
  

• Ability to work effectively in both remote and inperson work environments; proficient using video conferencing software and other remote work tools.
  

• Proficient in using personal computer software and applications including Microsoft Word Excel Outlook and PowerPoint.
  

• Available weekends and outside of normal work hours for assignments and travel including domestic and international as needed.
  

• Must maintain a qualifying credit history to be eligible for a companyissued American Express card which is required for businessrelated travel and client entertainment expenses.
  

• Committed to partnering with Visit Detroit in embedding diversity equity and inclusion into company culture and operations and actively contributing to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and stakeholders.
  

Physical Demand and Working Conditions:

• Office work involves extended periods of sitting or working at a desk utilizing repetitive typing motions on a computer or laptop and reading text on a video display monitor.
  

• Ability to perform extensive standing and/or walking for workrelated assignments and events.
  

• Ability to lift push and or carry up to 25lbs. occasionally.
  

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor s degree in Journalism Communications or Public Relations.
  

• 810 years professional paid experience in communications or public relations.
  

• 3 years speech writing experience.
  

• 3 years of experience managing professional level staff.
  

• Record of developing strategic business plans or public relations programs.
  

• Knowledge of area tourism products.
  

• Ability to make effective and persuasive public and written presentations.
  

• Ability to travel by air and ground transportation unrestricted.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master s degree in communications or related field
  
• 10 year s professional paid experience in journalism communications or public relations
  
• Tourism industry marketing and/or public relations experience
  
• Extensive local media and national travel media contacts