Communications Manager
City of Alexandria Workforce Development Center (WDC), Alexandria, VA, United States
The communications manager plays an integral part in Visit Alexandria’s content-driven storytelling through media relations, content planning and development, project management, visitor guide editorial support and more. This role serves as the right-hand person for the Director of Communications, collaborating on overall communications objectives and media relations strategies and managing tasks related to press releases, pitching, media hosting, news clip tracking and more. The position is also responsible for the management of Visit Alexandria’s Film Office. The ideal candidate has excellent writing skills, is detail-oriented, has project management experience and embodies a strong time management skillset.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Content Planning and Project Management:
Plays a key role in Visit Alexandria’s content team, developing story ideas and priorities, and contributing to timeline decisions
Acts as right-hand person for Director of Communications in supporting the execution of communications strategies and project management
Manages PR timeline and meets regularly with Director of Communications and PR agency of record
Organizes communications and content production timelines for Visit Alexandria’s major events and member promotions including Portside in Old Town Summer Festival, Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, Alexandria Restaurant Week(s) and Summer Sidewalk Sale
Supports Director of Communications on editorial development of the Visitor Guide, working closely with Visit Alexandria’s membership team and publisher
Media Relations:
Collaborates with Director of Communications on media relations strategies and cultivates strong destination storytelling with top-tier journalists across the local, D.C. regional, national and international media landscapes
Manages and executes media relations tasks including but not limited to PR calendar management, press release development, pitch development, gathering photo/video assets for press and broadcast interview organization
Supports PR agency on organizing and hosting travel writer visits, giving walking tours of Old Town and meeting with press during hosted media visits, on an as needed basis
Works closely with membership team on the events press release compilation and review process
Communicates with members and stakeholders regarding press opportunities, including but not limited to gathering information for press releases
Works closely with Director of Communications on writing responsibilities as they relate to industry award applications, corporate communications and emergency communications planning for annual events
Tracks coverage utilizing Google Alerts and Critical Mention, by proactively reviewing sites and publications, and by maintaining a list of upcoming coverage to seek out following interaction with writers/editors/producers
Records, analyzes and reports on press coverage through the Stats spreadsheet, monthly board reports and VIP news clips emails
Supports Director of Communications on broadcast media opportunity staffing and speaking engagements
Works regularly with partners including Virginia Tourism Corporation and Capital Region USA (CRUSA) on international media group press trips and individual press trips
Serves as member of the Northern Virginia Tourism Partnership (NVTP) PR committee and responsible for attending annual media missions in target markets (i.e. New York City, Canada and others, as applicable)
Website Support and Press Room Management:
Plays a supporting role on the writing and publishing of “Best of” articles on VisitAlexandria.com, developing and researching story angles and article content and supporting Senior Digital Content Manager, as needed
Manages VisitAlexandria.com press room including uploading press releases, monthly news clips and relevant press content
Supports Senior Digital Content Manager on other website-related tasks as needed
Coordinates Alexandria film applications submitted through Visit Alexandria, emailing key City department contacts that are designated part of the Film Group to get input before projects are approved and film permits are issued
Responds promptly to film applicants and advise on next steps
For high profile projects (such as a feature film or national commercial), provides additional support on scouting locations and facilitating City support
Responds to Virginia Film Office when they have periodic requests for information
Provides annual economic impact report Additional Duties:
Spearheads compilation of monthly board reports for the communications department
Other duties as assigned
Job Requirements
• 3-5 years of communications and/or public relations experience
• B.A. degree in communications, PR, journalism, creative writing or related field
• Excellent project management skills with a strong attention to detail
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated initiative, ownership and time management skills
• Positive energy and excellent interpersonal skills; ability to interact with a wide variety of people, both internally and externally at all levels
• Ability to creatively approach problems and assigned projects
• Available to work evening and weekend hours