Director of Communications

Job Title: Director of Communications

Department: Marketing & Communications

Reports to: Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications

SUMMARY:

It is the primary responsibility of the Director of Communications to guide and direct proactive and strategic leadership of media relations strategies to promote Kansas City as a tourist and meeting destination. This includes proactive and reactive outreach to key travel, lifestyle and trade publications in order to generate coverage that supports and enhances the image of Visit KC and the Kansas City region.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create, implement and evaluate research-driven strategic public relations plan for Visit KC. Includes proactive pitching, national and international media missions, key media events, press trips, media visits and interviews.

• Direct and support the communications team towards its annual goals for domestic and international media coverage. Ensure development and implementation of annual key performance measures including, but not limited to earned media impressions.

• Serve as key media representative for Visit KC responsible for the utmost in professional, articulate and brand appropriate delivery on camera, in recorded interviews and within all email and written communication.

• Responsible for strategically planning annual communications plans and budgets.

• Provides clear direction, concise feedback and publicly represents the Visit KC brand with a positive and professional demeanor.

• Directs the daily responsibilities and oversight of Communications Manager to ensure they are progressing, they are productive, meeting deadlines and efficiently driving ROI and raising awareness for the Visit KC brand.

• Navigate and strategically respond to reactive inquiries and evaluate requests for media hosting to determine return on investment. Respond to emerging opportunities as inquiries from international media become more frequent.

• Host individual and small group press trips throughout the year in order to introduce visiting media to Kansas City. Develop itineraries, secure necessary arrangements with local partners (lodging, transportation, dining, entertainment) and meet with media in person as requested. Must be able to work holidays and weekends, as well as flexible shifts and/or unusual hours.

• Cultivate and manage relationships with traditional and non-traditional media to position Kansas City as a premier destination for leisure travel, meetings and events, and the organization as a leading expert on a wide range of issues relating to destination marketing and all categories of travel. Serve as lead contact for media on industry-related issues.

• Collaborate with the Kansas City Sports Commission, FIFA World Cup 2026 Kansas City, the Missouri Department of Tourism and other local partners to generate publicity as a leading destination for sports tourism nationally and internationally, in conjunction with events such as the Big 12 Basketball Championships and specifically in advance of FIFA World Cup 2026.

• Support the President/CEO and leadership team in the following areas: generate publicity through media and promotional opportunities, write creative talking points, craft executive bios as needed and develop strategic communications support, including speech research and preparation and written executive correspondence. Manage media training of CEO and appropriate executives.

• Promote cross-functional communications throughout the organization.

• Generate editorial coverage for Kansas City and Visit KC regarding economic impact and convention business, highlighting its role as the Official Convention and Visitors Bureau for Kansas City.

• Build and cultivate relationships with communications and public relations staff throughout the regional, national and international meetings and tourism industry. Collaborate with KCMO government and tourism-related agencies to create programs and coordinate messaging including; Advertising, Public Relations, City, County, State Tourism agencies, LOC partners and 3rd party vendors.

• Represent Kansas City and Visit KC at media marketplaces and tradeshows across the country and internationally. Seek out presentations and speaking opportunities to capitalize on brand building.

• Attend key meetings with executives to understand the organization's direction and provide corresponding counsel regarding communications and PR strategy.

• Direct crisis communications key strategies for Visit KC President/CEO and leadership team.

• Direct media monitoring strategies to capture and evaluate media relations productivity. Showcase the communications team's success including media clippings, alerts, media analytics tracking and sharing derived insights.

• Direct special projects and other duties as assigned by Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications and President/CEO.

• Manage Human Resources responsibilities for the communications department and subordinates to include: creating a work environment that promotes teamwork, performance feedback, recognition, coaching, mutual respect and employee satisfaction; quality hiring, training and succession planning processes that encompass the organization's innovation and diversity commitment; compliance with company policies, legal requirements and established protocol.

• Assist with the preparation and oversight of the Marketing and Communications department budget and ensure department compliance.

SKILLS:

• Passionate about Kansas City and looking for new and creative ways to strengthen the destination and Visit KC brand.
• Demonstrated ability to secure coverage in top travel/lifestyle coverage publications and familiarity with the current media landscape.
• Knowledge of news media including print, electronic and emerging outlets, and the ability to maintain personal contacts in each.
• Ability to work proactively and effectively within a fast-paced, complex and dynamic environment with a high level of self-direction, self-motivation and energy.
• Emergent and crisis issues management/consulting expertise.
• Teamwork and excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Utilizes excellent writing, reporting and editing skills for Visit KC publications and materials.
• Proven track record of placing stories with national and broadcast media.
• Ability to be self-directed, work independently, utilize creative problem-solving, exercise strong independent judgment and decisiveness.
• Must be able to travel domestically and internationally for business meetings including weekends and holidays.
• Must possess a valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Flexibility and agility to adapt to changing and emergent business requirements and objectives.
• A desire to learn and grow.
• Working knowledge of media database tools (such as Cision, TV Eyes, and Simply Measured), PowerPoint and Microsoft Office.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism or related field and minimum seven (7) years related experience in communications, public relations and/or a relevant field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

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[1] Revision Date: February 2024