The Communications Manager will support Visit South Bend Mishawaka’s (VSBM) leisure and sales marketing strategies through content writing, CMS and CRM management and public relations coordination. This position will work in tandem with the Director of Marketing & Communications and the Digital Marketing Manager to develop a consistent brand voice for the organization and showcase St. Joseph County to potential visitors and residents.
Essential Functions
- Together with the marketing team, develop effective campaign messaging for our paid advertising efforts.
- Assist in editorial planning and execute written content for VSBM’s Experience Guide to St. Joseph County.
- Execute monthly newsletter communications in collaboration with the Director of Marketing & Communications and the Digital Marketing Manager and Sales staff.
- Maintain extensive inventory of content pieces/blog entries for VSBM website.
- Identify and report new opportunities for unique, timely topics reflecting the diversity of our communities and catering to ever-changing trends in tourism.
- Manage and update content for VSBM’s digital tourism kiosks.
- Manage and update content for digital sales pitch deck platform.
- Develop written content to promote sales efforts, where applicable.
- Assist with editing and/or proofreading as requested.
- Manage visitsouthbend.com content to ensure its relevance and accuracy.
- Manage the event calendar, including outreach to key stakeholders and regularly search for and add content manually to ensure a robust offering.
- Train and coordinate with the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County’s paid intern who assists with event calendar management remotely.
- Identify key performance indicators for website traffic and open rate efforts based on industry best practices and optimize accordingly.
- Track analytics and report on overall website and newsletter performance.
- Work with the sales team to identify and execute necessary updates to VSBM’s CRM database on an ongoing basis.
- Monitor local media channels and report on any relevant tourism-related coverage.
- Draft press releases and/or present statements as needed to local media partners.
- Communicate regularly with VSBM’s agency to coordinate local, regional and national PR efforts, ensuring effectiveness.
- Foster relationships with local media outlets and maintain the media list within the CRM.
- Foster relationships with local industry partners to amplify their offerings in our newsletters, on our website and on the event calendar where applicable.
- Occasionally capture content for social channels in an auxiliary role, sometimes requiring availability evenings and/or weekends. (Applies to all members of the marketing team.)
- Attend a variety of official VSBM, South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce, and tourism industry partner events as an ambassador for VSBM and St. Joseph County tourism.
- Attend occasional conferences and/or tradeshows, which may require evenings, weekends and potential out-of-state travel.
- Assist with Chamber-related needs as requested.
Skill Requirements/Considerations
- Resourceful, well organized, dependable and detail oriented
- Manages multiple tasks and has strong time management skills
- Excellent computer software skills
- Effective communication skills both verbal and written
- Exceptional interpersonal skills to work effectively as a team member
- Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office Suite
Education/Work Experience
- Preference for a four-year degree from an accredited institution
- 5+ years professional experience in marketing, journalism and/or PR ideal
- Experience at a hotel, DMO, or attraction/venue/rights’ holder
Additional Information
- Full time, exempt position (paid every two weeks)
- Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Occasional weekend/evening for meetings, events, etc.
- Hybrid opportunity with up to two days per week remote work available, pending managerial approval
- Comprehensive benefits package including: Health, Vision, Dental, Life, Disability, 401k/401k matching, PTO, cell phone reimbursement
- Visit South Bend Mishawaka is a division within the South Bend Regional Chamber
Pre-Employment Requirement
Visit South Bend Mishawaka is a drug-free workplace and requires a pre-employment drug screen for any individual offered a position.