Budgeted Annual Salary: $65,000

Annual Bonus Potential 4%

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

As unapologetic promoters of Cleveland, Destination Cleveland’s team works every day to attract visitors, inspire visitors and locals alike to explore and connect people to experiences that illustrate Cleveland’s diversity, creativity, and contagious passion. We’re in the business of equitably growing the region’s economy through travel and tourism while also cultivating a passion for Greater Cleveland. As the only organization charged with marketing Cleveland outside of the region, we never stop talking about the city. We know the region inside and out. We roll up our sleeves and get the job done for The Land. We’re a group of expectation-exceeding, fun-loving, innovative professionals.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

As a member of Destination Cleveland’s PR team, the Manager – Out-of-Market Media Relations must be a solutions- and detail-oriented creative thinker with a deep sense of urgency. Using their significant knowledge of/familiarity with Greater Cleveland, they will work with the Director of Out-of-Market Media Relations and contractors to garner media coverage of Cleveland as a place to visit in drive-market and national consumer media outlets. They will lead proactive outreach and inquiry response for the meetings & conventions and group tour vertical markets and will assist with travel trade and media interactions for the international market. This individual is accountable for meeting or exceeding metrics-based goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works with VP of PR and Director of Out-of-Market Media Relations to create, implement and evaluate strategic media relations efforts for the leisure, meetings/conventions and group tour markets – positioning Cleveland as a business and leisure destination.
• Maintains media list for outreach to meetings/conventions and group tour markets well as for distribution of organization and pertinent partner news releases.
• Fulfills – within 24 hours – materials/information requests from media in assigned categories.
• Manages requests for and proactively invites meetings/conventions and group tour media for hosting, including vetting journalists, pitching and itinerary development.
• Serves as primary writer/editor of advertorial/value-added media opportunities garnered through trade advertising buys.
• Evaluates leisure hosted media requests; elevates to Director as needed. Works with contractor to organize and host media visits, including itinerary development and coordination of visit logistics/travel arrangements.
• Develops and manages production of quarterly media-focused newsletter, including list maintenance, story identification, writing and coordination with digital team for distribution.
• Monitors HARO and Trav Media for pitching opportunities; responds as appropriate.
• Maintains log of all media outreach and inquiries in assigned verticals.
• Works with VP of PR/Communications and other team members as needed to execute B2B and B2C marketing and media relations for the international leisure market, including itinerary development and hosting and project coordination with Brand USA/GLUSA.
• Anticipates opportunities to promote Cleveland as a destination city and proactively recommends ideas for consideration/implementation, in conjunction with or independent of marketing campaigns.
• Explores, evaluates and recommends new earned avenues (e.g. podcasts) to garner additional media coverage/change perceptions of Cleveland. Incorporates into proactive pitching as appropriate.
• Serves as lead for compilation, analysis and reporting for all earned media metrics.
• Acts as PR team expert and lead for Simpleview CRM, entering expense & in-kind data.
• Maintains PR b-roll and online photo libraries, working with outside resources to update b-roll as needed.
• Acts as lead for updating of media section of ThisisCleveland.com, including news release uploads, In the News and fact sheet updates and other edits as needed.
• Operates as a member of the crisis communications team, assisting as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Communications/PR.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIREMENTS

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

• 5 to 7 years’ experience in public relations, which involves extensive media relations work, writing for a variety of audiences and mediums and some media spokesperson duties.
• An undergraduate degree in a communications-related field.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• AP Style writing and editing; an understanding of basic legal principles of journalism
• Proficient technology app skills; Advanced MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Teams, Zoom, Outlook

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Must possess excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to compose letters, press releases, website materials, newsletter articles, presentations and other written materials.
• Must be able to present information publicly, conduct in-person media interviews, speak professionally with reporters and respond to questions from co-workers, clients, media and the general public.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form
• Must be flexible and very resourceful

OTHER REQUIREMENTS and DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience working with PR agency or contractors
• Outstanding organizational skills
• Strong team player with ability to work independently
• Familiarity with the City of Cleveland and Greater Cleveland community
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends
• Knowledge of Meltwater is a plus
• Experience/relationships with media who cover destinations, meetings/conventions planning a plus

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent talking and/or listening
• Regular sitting
• Occasional standing, walking and lifting of up to 25 pounds
• Requires close vision

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Hybrid environment including office with moderate noise and ability to work remotely
• Offsite visits/appointments required