Director of Communications
Reports to: President/CEO

Summary: Oversees the primary communications areas of the bureau: traditional travel media relations, publications, and publicity; community relations (including local and regional media) and MCCVB's crisis communication plan.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned by the President/CEO.

Oversees and directs traditional Media Relations, Community Relations/Company Reputation Management and Crisis Planning:

• Identify and actively pursue media exposure opportunities related to destination marketing of Monterey County. This includes: development of media strategies; cultivation and maintenance of relationships with trade, local, national and international media; and generation of story ideas for publication in travel, trade, general press publications, broadcast and online media (such as websites, travel blogs and other social media). 
• Conduct and coordinate press visits. 
• Prepare press releases, talking points, presentations and other communications materials for local, national and international audiences.
• Supervise contract with Public Relations firm, help implement programs developed by PR firm, and provide assistance to PR firm for various programs and media needs when necessary.
• Develop public relations strategies that will increase and maintain favorable local public opinion of MCCVB, its members and the tourism industry, including but not limited to: pursuing community media exposure opportunities related to tourism, cultivation of media contacts and generation of story ideas for local and regional general press, publications and broadcast media. 
• Serve in community relations capacity for the MCCVB as specified. Duties include attending regular meetings of specific local organizations and serving on various local committees.
• Ensure that the MCCVB Crisis Communication Plan is up-to-date. Lead crisis communications as needed. 
• Oversee and expand MCCVB's media inventory. Increase library of video b-roll and produced video projects, still photography. Oversee distribution of imaging assets.
• Work with Vice President of Sales & Marketing and Marketing Department to further overall website objectives including: integrating PR strategies into website and online efforts; working as a team to develop content and SEO strategies for MCCVB website; and communicating and promoting programs developed by Leisure Marketing Manager
• Serve as MCCVB champion and key contact for all MCCVB publications and reports, including the annual Travel & Meeting Planner, the Annual and Mid-Year Reports, the membership and visitor e-newsletters (created in cooperation with Membership and Visitor Marketing, respectively) and any additional publications that are produced in-house. Ensure the accuracy, clarity and readability of other internal documents such as annual marketing plan and all President and CEO communications.

Reports/Administrative Duties

• Prepare annual department budget, follow all financial approval processes, authorize expenditures and track project costs to control expenses of department and all individual programs.
• Supervise the Media Relations Coordinator and other directly related positions.
• Attend all MCCVB Board meetings.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree (B. A.), preferably in journalism, public relations or English. Masters degree a plus.
• Minimum of five years related experience with demonstrated success, preferably in the destination marketing or tourism sectors.

For a full job description please visit: http://www.seemonterey.com/docs/MCCVB-Director_of_Communications.pdf