Communications Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Communications Manager plays a critical role in communicating the message of Sonoma County Tourism (SCT) to key targeted local partners, the wine industry, B2B media, trade publications and other stakeholders. The Manager works with peers across the organization to help curate destination messages and then convey them to targeted audiences. In doing so, the Manager strives to enhance SCT’s public perception locally, regionally and within the wine tourism industry sector.

Organizational Mission: Inspire overnight travel to Sonoma County that bolsters the region’s economy and encourages responsible stewardship of the community’s abundant resources.

Organizational Vision: Sonoma County will be the premier destination in North America for responsible travelers who enjoy, protect, and preserve the area’s bountiful natural and cultural resources.

Summary

The Communications Manager works to convey organizational messaging to local partners, stakeholders, and residents. This is accomplished through a variety of channels and tactics that elevate Sonoma County and its offerings among key constituent audiences. The position also helps to communicate the organization’s programming through presentations, coordination of stakeholder meetings and other opportunities to disseminate salient information. The Communications Manager will report to the Vice President Community Engagement, but will work across the enterprise on initiatives that serve the entire team.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Organizational Communications

• Develop and distribute communications including, e-newsletter communications (Consumer Newsletter, Tourism Industry News & Resources, Tourism Industry Performance & Insights, Vacation Rental Newsletter, Partner Alerts), LinkedIn posts and other special communications as needed.
• Work across teams to manage, compile and create SCT’s annual report, including data and milestone tracking throughout the year.
• Work across teams to compile and create annual Partner Reports for each municipality in the County.
• Support the implementation of influencer marketing efforts across the organization.
• Work with the Design Marketing Manager and the team at the Annual Meeting to create the presentation deck and other needed materials.
• Edit and proofread other company documents, such as press releases, marketing and sales materials, and website articles as needed.
• Work with the Research and Data Systems Manager to update trends, facts and figures for the meetings and group segment and travel trade segment to use in stories, e-newsletters, articles, press releases, and other materials.

Wine Tourism

• Act as the organization contact for the wine tourism industry. Coordinate with the Sonoma County Winegrowers and Sonoma County Vintners to elevate awareness around wine and visitation.
• Keep SCT informed about trends in the wine industry.
• Work with SCT’s PR agency of record on wine tourism initiatives.

Community/Partner Outreach

• Assist with creation and execution of National Travel and Tourism Week initiatives, events and associated messaging.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

• Work across teams on special projects, as assigned.
• Draft award submissions for key travel industry, public relations, and local awards.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Required Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum five years of journalism, communications, PR agency or in-house public/media relations experience.

Administrative Responsibilities

• This position has no personnel supervisory responsibilities and minimal budgetary responsibilities,

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Experience developing and executing public relations programs for tourism, not-for-profit or consumer brand organizations
• Experience managing multiple programs and meeting deadlines
• Significant experience working with clients or partners in drafting programs and conveying information
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience working with agencies and vendors specific to media and public relations.
• Willing to work outside typical business hours.
• Dependable, highly motivated team player with a great attitude.
• Possess strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Must be proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). Willing to take required coursework to become skilled in PowerPoint if not already highly proficient in this program.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. Frequently sits, stands, and walks. Occasionally twists/turns, bends, kneels, and reaches overhead. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• This job primary operates in a professional office environment
• Periodic domestic travel required
• Must have valid driver’s license and provide own transportation

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.