This position requires responsible, professional work in marketing, event publicity, promotion, and advertising of the RP Funding Center, its events, facilities, and services. Work involves interaction with institutional advertisers, event promoters, and legislative organizations, negotiating service trade agreements, and developing advertising and marketing strategies. Position is responsible for the oversight of Marketing Associate. Work is carried out under the supervision of the RP Funding Center Director and Marketing & Sales Manager and is reviewed periodically by conferences, reports, and results achieved.

• Manages and supervises direct report.
• Assists with developing and maintaining the annual marketing department budget
• Assists with developing and implementing an effective annual marketing plan for the venue that increases local, regional, and national awareness, ticket sales, and event revenue and creates a positive facility image.
• Evaluates current marketing efforts continually to ensure the greatest return on investments and the most efficient use of the venue's assets.
• Supports and/or directs aspects of the venue's marketing activities, including but not limited to advertising, public relations, social/digital campaigns, ticket sales, venue branding, and collateral materials. 
• Negotiates contract rates with media and approves and processes marketing-related billings. 
• Compiles and releases press materials and coordinates press functions, artist relations, and event hospitality.
• Maintains media resource list and issues press credentials.
• Plans and manages public relations and internal communication programs designed to create and maintain a favorable public image.
• Schedules and supervises promotional activities, including print and broadcast production and buying, social media platforms, and collateral materials. 
• Supports maintaining and developing the venue's websites and social media pages.
• Develops and maintains 3rd party partnerships. Responsible for acquiring new event and venue sponsorships, including negotiating contract details.
• Assists event promoters in marketing efforts and artists' experience for touring acts.
• Supports efforts in creating strategies to increase event ticket sales, including group sales.
• Responds to non-ticket-related venue complaints and is an intermediary between venue, patrons, and promoters.
• Works with area organizations to enhance outside marketing efforts (i.e., Visit Central Florida, In-House Catering team, and area hotels)
• Remains current on national trends in the industry and local market changes to best serve the venue's mission.
• Provides timely updates and status reports to superiors.
• May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position designated as Mission Critical by Department Director.

 
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• Business-related travel within and outside the state, including attending industry and event-related consumer/trade functions, meetings, conferences, and educational forums.
• May function as a duty manager.
• Performs related work as required.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in Marketing, Event Management, Advertising, Communications, or other related field. 
• Five (5) years of experience in marketing or advertising, preferably within the entertainment and sports industry and/or event venue management.
• Experience in Graphic Design using Photoshop and/or Illustrator. 

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.
 
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience in photography and videography preferred
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Must maintain a valid telephone number.

• Considerable knowledge of marketing techniques, including public relations and event promotion.
• Knowledge of advertising design, including the elements needed to build and create marketing campaigns.
• Knowledge of public venue (convention center, theatre, and arena) operation, including areas outside of marketing.
• Considerable knowledge of local media, including radio, television, and print.
• Considerable knowledge of social media and digital advertising strategies.
• General knowledge of computers and computer graphics software.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
• Proven industry contacts within the hospitality, convention, tourism, and meeting planning industries.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other city employees, and the public.
• Ability to supervise and motivate staff.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

 
WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time, exerting up to twenty (20) pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard operations.
• The job risks exposure to no significant environmental hazards.
• The job requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your email and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.