Marketing Communications Coordinator

REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

DEPARTMENT: MARKETING

STATUS: FULL-TIME, EXEMPT

Position Overview

VisitColumbusGA is seeking a detail-oriented and creative Marketing & Communications Coordinator to join our dynamic marketing team. This is a junior-level, full-time, in-person position located at our offices in Columbus, Georgia. This role is essential to executing our marketing and communications strategies that position Columbus, Georgia as a premier destination for leisure travel, meetings, conventions, and film.

As Georgia's second-largest city, Columbus offers an exceptional blend of urban sophistication and outdoor adventure. Our city boasts the world's longest natural urban whitewater rafting course along the Chattahoochee River, a vibrant downtown entertainment district, and nationally recognized museums.

The Marketing & Communications Coordinator will collaborate with internal teams and external partners to manage initiatives across paid, earned, and owned channels. This role requires exceptional communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines. The ideal candidate is a proactive team player with a passion for marketing and tourism, and the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders. This role offers the opportunity to showcase our extraordinary destination to a global audience.

To be considered for the role, you must:

• Have an associate's degree plus 1 year of relevant work experience, or equivalent work experience
• Be able to spot an out-of-place comma from a mile away; extensive proofreading and copy-editing abilities are a must
• Possess exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Have a deep understanding of the marketing and communications disciplines and how the work applies to the destination marketing and management industry
• Have outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including media, community partners, vendors, and senior leadership
• Be an excellent project manager, able to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Be a self-starter with a positive and proactive attitude
• Be a strong team player with the ability to work independently when necessary
• Be able and willing to work evenings and weekends when required for events, familiarization tours, or special projects
• Be able and willing to travel when required for conferences, events, or special projects
• Be proficient in office suite software (Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, Apple iWork)
• Be proficient in or able to quickly master various software programs used in the role (graphic design, email marketing, customer relationship management, content management, social media management, etc.)
• Have a valid driver’s license

You’ll stand out from other candidates if you also have:

• Knowledge of the Columbus, GA area and what it has to offer for leisure travel, meetings and conventions, sports, and film industries
• Experience in the travel, tourism, or hospitality industries
• Experience working in graphic design platforms (Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Canva)
• Experience working in email marketing platforms (Constant Contact, MailChimp)
• Experience working in customer relationship management platforms (IDSS, Simpleview, HubSpot, Salesforce)
• Experience working in website content management systems (Expression Engine, WordPress)
• Experience working in digital asset management platforms (Canto, Bynder)
• Experience working in social media management platforms (Sprout, Hootsuite)

What you’ll do:

• Work with outside agencies (social media, public relations, advertising, website, etc.), cross-functional teams, and the Director to execute the marketing and communications plan and associated projects as assigned
• Proofread external-facing assets such as advertising creative/copy, visitor guides and brochures, press releases, website content, etc.; ensuring work is accurate, free of errors, meets brand standards, is of excellent quality, and meets established goals/KPIs
• Assist in the development of regular email marketing campaigns, including content planning and outlining, copywriting, image selection, deployment, response, reporting, and maintaining list health
• Manage the destination’s digital media asset library, including organization, curation of content galleries for internal and external needs, cycling out outdated assets, and assisting in content planning to keep assets fresh and meet organizational needs
• Manage and maintain communication asset library, including organization of press kit assets, and the creation and maintenance of copy blurbs for use in itinerary development and responses to travel media inquiries
• Prepare monthly reporting on team KPIs and goals by compiling data from internal and external sources, and crafting a narrative on what story the data tells
• Work with PR agency and Director to develop itineraries for travel media familiarization tours, including coordination with industry partners
• Represent the marketing and communications team on assigned familiarization tours, including providing transportation, attending meals, events, attractions/tours, and serving as a destination expert
• Assist in the development and distribution of press releases; receive and compile press releases from industry partners and amplify through our owned channels/distribution lists
• Maintain the destination’s contact list of local and regional media
• Monitor the marketing and communications team general inquiries inbox, serving as the first touchpoint to route requests from travel media and marketing contacts
• In partnership with external agencies and the Director, assist in the development of our content marketing strategy across social and website, ensuring that our content is fresh, relevant, and furthers our overall goals
• Manage our online events calendar, including reviewing and approving submissions by industry partners, and ensuring content is up to date
• Participate in regular marketing planning sessions with the Director and relevant internal/external partners
• Keep up with industry trends and best practices to enhance skills and knowledge in the tourism marketing and communications field

Compensation:

• Base salary: $43,000 - $48,000
• Insurance: 100% coverage for employee-only health, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, life, and supplemental AFLAC coverage
• Annual paid time off: 12 vacation days, 12 personal days, 12 sick days, and 12 company holidays
• Retirement: 401k with 10% employer contribution (no employee match required)
• Professional development: professional trade shows, conferences, and certifications planned and budgeted annually

Application and hiring process:

• To apply, email your resume to marketing@visitcolumbusga.com. You may also include supplementary information such as a cover letter and/or your portfolio, but it is not required.
• The interview process will be two parts: (1) a 1:1 interview with hiring manager and (2) a final panel interview including the Director and CEO