Communications Manager

WHEN APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION, A COVER LETTER AND RESUME ARE REQUIRED.

Position: Communications Manager

STATUS: Full-time (Exempt Position)

Reports To: Senior Director of Marketing & Communications

SUMMARY

Help our team share the story of Buffalo and Erie County with media outlets from around the country and the world. The Communications Manager responds to local, regional and national travel media inquiries, manages the relationship with Visit Buffalo’s PR agency, spearheads media outreach and hosts journalists and influencers. The Communications Manager identifies interesting and unexpected destination story angles, seeks breakthrough publicity opportunities and tracks trends to ensure Visit Buffalo maximizes earned media opportunities, elevating the Buffalo brand to consumer and industry audiences. The successful candidate will possess exceptional writing and editing skills and have a proven track record in crafting pitches and writing press releases and blog posts.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with local, regional and national media.
• Serve as a point of contact for media inquiries and fulfill requests.
• Manages the relationship with PR agency of record.
• Staff desk-side meetings in key media markets.
• Attend media-based tradeshows as needed.
• Plan itineraries and accompany visiting writers on familiarization tours, as needed.
• Prepare written content and talking points for speeches, media interviews, videos, newsletters, website pages, blog posts, press materials, sales and marketing collateral and other projects as assigned.
• Generate and distribute media advisories and press releases.
• Curate and maintain database of local, regional and national media contacts.
• Work with local media to generate news stories and features about tourism-related topics and the work of Visit Buffalo.
• Update and maintain the press section of the website.
• Serve as an official spokesperson both on and off camera as needed.
• Assist with internal communications/PR needs, including coordinating with other departments on their needs.
• Maintain cordial and effective relationships with co-workers, clients, community officials, partner organizations and other contacts.
• Various other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Marketing & Communications and/or Vice President of Marketing.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS

• Four-year degree in a relevant field of study, including Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, New Media. Supplemented by three to five years of experience performing communications and public relations work.
• Strong writing, proofreading and editing skills.
• Highly motivated self-starter; ability to take initiative with projects; ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Strong interpersonal skills, maturity, good judgment and capable of communicating in a professional manner with a diverse range of individuals.
• Skilled in verbal presentations.
• Efficient organizational skills; detail-oriented; proven problem analysis and resolution skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple priorities/projects/responsibilities simultaneously while meeting stringent deadlines.
• Proficient technology application skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work frequent nights and weekends as needed. Reliable, dependable, flexible and responsive.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Access to personal vehicle for hosting visiting journalists and other local travel. Must have valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance.
• Physical demands of the job include, but are not limited to, sitting, bending and lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Hybrid work schedule – 4 days in office (Monday-Thursday)/ 1 day remote (Friday); hybrid schedule is subject to change in the future.

Pay: $63,250.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Work Location: In person