Career Center

Galveston Park Board and Convention and Visitors Bureau in Galveston, TX is actively seeking a driven full-time Director of Strategic Communications to direct and oversee the overall strategic communications activity (including media relations, reputation management, and internal communications). This position involves simultaneously directing the tourism-focused public relations efforts of Visit Galveston and the community and governmental affairs-focused public relations efforts of its parent organization, the Galveston Park Board. Are you familiar with Galveston Island and the surrounding area? Are you passionate about the tourism industry? If so, keep on reading!

This public relations position earns a competitive salary of $100k or more, depending on skills and experience. We provide exceptional benefits and perks, including strong health, dental, and vision plans, plus hospitalization, STD, and LTD policies fully paid for by the employer, and a 401(k) plan with a 5% employer match on a 3% employee contribution. If this sounds like the right public relations opportunity for you, apply today!

ABOUT VISIT GALVESTON AND THE PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES

In 1963, the citizens of Galveston voted to create a specialized unit of government called the Park Board of Trustees of the City of Galveston. The organization is responsible for overseeing Galveston's tourism efforts, Galveston Island Beach Patrol (GIPB) and Coastal Zone Management (CZM). The Park Board is funded primarily through Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) and beach user fees for the six parks that they manage. Tourism pays for tourism as no sales or property tax is collected by the Park Board. The nine-member board is comprised of volunteer residents with diverse business backgrounds. Each is required to serve at least two years and must also serve on one of the Park Board's advisory committees.

We are on a mission to promote and support tourism on Galveston Island in order to foster an environment that establishes a great place to live, work, and visit. Our vision is to create it a tourist destination that promises an exciting variety of experiences and a high quality of life for residents.

The island offers natural resources, attractions, events, and heritage that we wish to share with the residents and visitors alike. Our employees are dedicated to inviting all to come and experience the island that we care so much about. This is why we give back to our employees with exceptional health plans and schedule flexibility to maintain a healthy work-life balance. After all, our employees are the ones that keep the organization running and highlight all Galveston has to offer!

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

As a public relations director, you develop effective, targeted media pitches and editorial submissions that garner high-profile media exposure for Galveston Island and each of the organization's business units. You supply quotes, photos, and other crucial information to journalists and the media. Working closely with the marketing team, you help formulate collateral, sales promotion pieces, brochures, advertising, annual marketing plans, online content, blogs, and key marketing projects.

You are already familiar with the Island and its surrounding areas, which makes you a great asset when organizing campaigns that help advertise the evolving branding and messaging of our organization. Using your superb communication skills, you are able to effectively work with external organizations to expand our reach and perceptions of Galveston. In-house, you collaborate with the digital marketing team to create b-roll footage, YouTube videos, event photography, video pods, and more to increase exposure. You are sometimes expected to travel in or out of the local area and work outside regardless of the weather conditions, but that excitement factor is what makes your job so appealing to you.

You are comfortable being a leader and taking the initiative on all of these projects. At times, you find yourself working with the Director of Marketing and the Chief Tourism Officer to set and attain PR goals for each fiscal year. You ensure your department remains on task for established goals, and you oversee professional development opportunities for staff. You are just as passionate about motivating and educating your team as you are about the public relations work that you do. This is what makes you an ideal director for the department!

QUALIFICATIONS OF A DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or a marketing-related field, OR equivalent related experience
• 7+ years of experience in public relations, preferably in a related industry such as travel, hospitality, or tourism
• Previous experience in government-focused public relations or government affairs
• Demonstrated proficiency at developing and implementing successful strategic communications/PR plans
• Strong writing skills for a variety of communication vehicles that includes press materials, creative collateral, digital channels, and more
• Strong editing skills, with a comprehensive knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and especially AP style
• Ability to pitch media daily
• Ability to collaborate with a small staff
• Prior management responsibilities for an organization's publicity program and staff
• Prior work with high-level executive teams and comfort working with the CEO
• Hold a valid class C driver's license

Do you have strong verbal and written communication as well as interpersonal skills? Are you a natural-born leader? Are you an expert at navigating technology, including various computer programs? Do you have the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks? Are you an independent worker who never misses deadlines? If yes, we want to hear from you about this strategic communications opportunity!