Description
Are you motivated by showcasing Vancouver as a place to live, work and explore?
Do you love to tell stories through the power of media?
Do you want to be part of Destination Vancouver’s award-winning team?
Destination Vancouver is currently expanding our Travel Media team and seeking to fill two Travel Media & Public Relations positions:
- Manager, Travel Media & Public Relations (PR) – this is a regular full-time position.
- Acting Manager, Travel Media & Public Relations (PR) - this is a maternity leave position from November 2023 – December 2024
Reporting to the Director, Market Development, both roles focus on inspiring travel to Vancouver by generating editorial travel media coverage in key markets around the world.
This includes running the visiting journalist program as well as proactive media relations and PR activities (events, campaigns) to increase destination awareness in all key markets (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia/NZ, the U.K. and Germany)
Strategic Accountabilities:
- Oversees the Travel Media & PR activities in alignment with Destination Vancouver market strategies.
- Develops proactive Travel Media & PR market plans in collaboration with the Travel Trade, Consumer Marketing and Meetings & Conventions teams.
- Proactively secures travel media stories in core markets to convey Vancouver’s desirability as an international travel destination.
- Represents Destination Vancouver at industry events and conferences.
- Manages and mentors Travel Media & PR Specialists on the Market Development team.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Manages one full-time Travel Media Specialist
- Provides a high-level of service to qualified media and social media influencers/content creators in key international markets such as story support, image/b-roll provision, fact checking, and/or visit assistance.
- Manages press trips each year (group and individual) including media hosting/guiding when groups are in Vancouver.
- Works closely with Destination Vancouver members, Destination BC, Destination Canada, other Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) partners and community representatives to develop press trip itineraries and generate stories.
- Develops and strategically pitches compelling story ideas to targeted media in key trade and international markets.
- Develops and oversees production of related media tools, a monthly media newsletter, fact sheets, Ambassador list and media kits.
- Develops and executes special media/PR projects that meet Destination Vancouver’s strategic objectives (for example: Dine Out Vancouver Festival).
- Oversees development, maintenance and use of media database and distribution lists using Simpleview Customer Relations Management (CRM) system. Oversees deployment of a monthly media newsletters letter through Act-On as well as oversees tracking of travel media coverage by Travel Media Specialists.
- Develops and manages the annual budget and strategic plan for the PR department.
- Represents Destination Vancouver at relevant industry events and conferences such as IMM New York, GoMedia Canada and Travel Classics.
- Represents Destination Vancouver at annual desk-side media pitching missions to North American media centers such as San Francisco, LA and New York, and key visitor cities, including Seattle and Calgary.
- Collaborates with internal Destination Vancouver lines of business (Travel Trade, Consumer Marketing, Meetings & Conventions, Destination Development & Membership, Destination Events) to develop media relations and publicity programs to support sales efforts and/or organizational goals.
- Oversees reporting and ensures key performance indicators are achieved.
- Provides ongoing formal and informal performance feedback to the Travel Media Specialists.
Conducts webinars and presentations for Destination Vancouver’s members, Team Members and other external stakeholders. - Other responsibilities as required by Destination Vancouver.
What are we looking for?
- We are seeking two Team Members with a minimum of two years of experience working in a similar media/PR and/or communications leadership role.
- Proven experience running media trips for North American and international travel media. Excellent command of the English language as well as strong writing, verbal and presentation skills are essential.
- In-depth knowledge of media, public relations, communications, tourism marketing, preferably in a destination marketing organization.
- Ability to work and communicate effectively with tourism industry stakeholders, including local and international media, Destination Vancouver Board members and senior leaders, city council members, and government officials as appropriate.
- The ideal candidate is also a proven leader and a people manager with experience providing feedback and coaching.
- Post-secondary education in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field and/or equivalent experience.
Who We Are
Destination Vancouver is the non-profit, member-led destination management organization for the spectacular city of Vancouver, British Columbia. Our purpose is to transform our communities and our visitors through the power of travel and to be thoughtful leaders, advocates and ambassadors for our city.
We work with our 800+ members and our partners in Vancouver's visitor economy to develop compelling experiences and offerings for our visitors and to promote Vancouver in key Canadian, US, and international markets. The responsibility to build a sustainable and resilient visitor economy is the foundation of everything we do.
What do we offer?
These positions are based in Destination Vancouver’s corporate office with proximity to transit and downtown amenities.
We are proud to offer a competitive total rewards program including 3 weeks vacation to start, plus paid personal days, annual incentive plan, extended health care, transit reimbursement, a Team Member Referral program, as well as training and development opportunities.
Destination Vancouver believes in and supports work/life balance and flexible/hybrid working opportunities. Destination Vancouver believes in and provides a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.
Starting base salary range: $73,300 to $86,100.
How do we connect?
If either role sounds like you because you have the knowledge, ambition and drive and describe yourself as enthusiastic and fun, collaborative and focused on building positive and long-term client relationships and achieving results, we invite you to apply for one of these exciting positions. Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@destinationvancouver.com.
For more information, please visit http://destinationvancouver.com
