Director of Marketing & Communications

Responsibilities include proactively marketing Durham as a destination for leisure and business visitors, pitching stories about Durham to national and regional media, conducting press tours and resolving inaccurate media and directory references that refer to Durham without proper attribution. The position oversees two individuals including a marketing manager and public relations coordinator. Works collaboratively with the Director of Visual Identity and Brand Management on marketing collateral and electronic media.

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism or a related field, superior verbal and written communications skills, advanced knowledge and understanding of marketing and communications including via web and online resources.

Demonstrated competence with Microsoft Office needed and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, hi-tech, e-mail intensive office is necessary.

Durham residency required with a minimum of 1 year managing people and 3 years of public relations, communications or related experience, preferably in a hospitality business or organization.

No phone calls or visits.

Targeted compensation is in the high 40’s to low 50’s depending on experience and skills. EEOC.

The Director of Marketing and Communications leads DCVB’s marketing functions of the Bureau to increase visibility and recognition of Durham and its assets as a visitor destination. Responsible for proactively marketing Durham as a destination for leisure and business visitors, pitching stories about Durham to national and regional media, conducting press tours and resolving inaccurate media and directory references that refer to Durham without proper attribution. Oversees a staff of two including a marketing manager and public relations coordinator. Works collaboratively with the Director of Visual Identity and Brand Management on marketing collateral and electronic media.

Most Important Responsibilities:
•Execute a proactive marketing campaign of Durham as a destination to individuals within the target range of 300 miles
•Execute a proactive marketing campaign of Durham products and tools to internal and external stakeholders
•Proactively pitch story ideas to targeted journalists and publications to encourage positive press about Durham as a visitor destination.
•Arrange and coordinate itineraries for visiting journalists
•Establish and implement an annual plan for targeted proactive press releases
•Create and publish backgrounders and evergreens as story ideas that are timely and accessible to the media
•Work with DCVB’s Community Stakeholder Relations staff to write and produce a weekly e-newsletter distributed to local stakeholder to increase understanding of DCVB’s mission and work.
•Oversee paid advertising initiatives
•Utilize research to make information-based marketing decisions
•Align with stakeholders and DCVB management on issues/positions
•Oversee and continually freshen the media section of www.durham-nc.com
•Issue corrections to resolve inaccurate media and directory references that refer to Durham without proper attribution
•Ensure the Durham brand is woven into all DCVB communications to create brand awareness, brand loyalty and preference toward Durham as a destination.
•Develop and maintain budgets for marketing/communications projects
•Provide direct supervision to a Marketing Manager and Public Relations Coordinator.
•Understand and demonstrate excellent project management skills
•Conduct regular marketing orientations to introduce new community stakeholders to Durham and DCVB’s efforts to market Durham as a destination for visitors.

Job-related Knowledge:
•DCVB mission, goals and objectives
•DCVB policies and procedures
•Durham as a convention and visitor destination
•Communications, project management and public relations
•Budget and fiscal management

Reports To:Chief Operating Officer