Position Summary:
Supports Visit Amarillo's marketing efforts through strategic communications, media relations, and earned media initiatives. This position builds awareness of Amarillo as a travel destination by developing media relationships, generating positive coverage, and promoting the destination through compelling storytelling.
This position is responsible for media relations, public relations campaigns, content development, destination storytelling, and reputation management. The successful candidate will be an exceptional writer, skilled communicator, and collaborative team member who thrives in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects and deadlines.
This position requires a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings, weekends, and workweeks exceeding 40 hours as needed to support events, media visits, travel, and other organizational priorities.
To Apply:
Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to be considered. Applications without a cover letter will not be reviewed.
Key Responsibilities:
Media Relations & Public Relations
- Develop, write, and distribute press releases, media alerts, official statements, and other public communications.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with travel writers, journalists, editors, broadcasters, influencers, and media outlets.
- Respond to media inquiries and coordinate interviews with Visit Amarillo leadership, partners, and stakeholders.
- Coordinate and host travel writers, media visits, familiarization (FAM) tours, and influencer experiences.
- Represent Visit Amarillo at media marketplaces, trade shows, and industry events.
- Support destination reputation management and assist with crisis communications as needed.
Content Development & Storytelling
- Create engaging website content, blogs, destination articles, newsletters, and promotional copy that supports Visit Amarillo's public relations and marketing initiatives.
- Develop partner communications, benefit summaries, industry updates for tourism stakeholders.
- Manage and maintain Visit Amarillo's online newsroom, media resources, and press materials.
Communications Strategy & Reporting
- Track earned media coverage, prepare performance metrics, and distribute media coverage reports to tourism partners and stakeholders.
Collaboration & Administrative Support
- Collaborate across departments to support organizational priorities and ensure communications align with Visit Amarillo's brand and strategic initiatives.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with tourism partners to support destination promotion and collaborative marketing efforts.
- Coordinate communication timelines for major events, announcements, and tourism initiatives.
- Maintain organized records of media contacts, press materials, and communications assets.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned in support of organizational objectives.
Required Qualifications:
- Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities under deadlines.
- Excellent written, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills.
- Highly adaptable, resourceful, and responsive to changing needs and priorities.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with media, community partners, and tourism stakeholders.
- Experience writing press releases, feature stories, newsletters, and other professional communications.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe products, and calendar management tools.
- Familiarity with media monitoring, analytics, and public relations reporting tools is preferred.
- Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, tourism, public relations, business, or a related field.
- Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
- Access to a reliable personal vehicle for local travel. Business mileage is reimbursed in accordance with organizational policy.
Ideal Candidate Traits:
- Outstanding storyteller with a passion for destination marketing and tourism.
- Creative thinker who can identify newsworthy opportunities and translate them into compelling media coverage.
- Self-motivated, organized, and able to work independently while collaborating effectively with a team.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.
- Comfortable representing Visit Amarillo in professional and public settings.
- Adaptable, resourceful, and able to manage changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Positive attitude with a willingness to take initiative and contribute to the organization's overall mission.
- Highly personable and confident building relationships with media, content creators, community partners, and industry stakeholders.
Benefits:
Competitive salary and benefits package including:
- 401K
- Employer 401K contributions
- Life Insurance, 100% employer paid
- Health Insurance, 100% employer paid
- Dental Insurance, 100% employer paid
- Vacation and sick leave
- Optional vision insurance, employee paid
- Paid parental leave
- Opportunity to be a key player in promoting and shaping Amarillo's tourism industry.
- Collaborative and supportive work environment.
- Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
Pay: $43,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
