VisitPITTSBURGH is a tourism development organization dedicated to expanding the tourism economy across Allegheny County. The organization generates positive economic impact across the tourism verticals of business events, sports, and leisure travel. VisitPITTSBURGH achieves its goals, including ensuring the region of certain economic benefits, through the combined efforts of all team members throughout the organization.
Reporting to the Vice President, Marketing and Communications, the Director, Communications is the key communications, media, and public relations contact for VisitPITTSBURGH. This position is responsible for the timely, strategic, and accurate organization, writing, and production of a myriad of internal and external local, national, and international communications about the organization.
Essential Functions
- Ensures that Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are consistently portrayed accurately and in a positive light to potential visitors, whether for business, sports, or leisure travel.
- Develops and executes integrated communications strategies to promote Pittsburgh as a top destination, maintaining positive and strategic working relationships with key individuals in local, national and international media to secure top placements.
Directly manages up to two direct reports; strategically and effectively makes decisions regarding all areas of the employee lifecycle, within the guidelines of VisitPITTSBURGH’s compensation, performance management and equal opportunity and affirmative action programs, and in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal guidelines.
Ensures all organizational content reflects the VisitPITTSBURGH brand voice, supports organizational goals and appeals to diverse audiences.
Writes and updates destination fact sheets; white and position papers; and prepares critical statements on behalf of VisitPITTSBURGH's senior management team, in a continuing effort to obtain favorable media coverage.- Liaisons with VisitPITTSBURGH’s agency partners as it relates to strategic public relations plans, press tours, media missions and events—managing budgets and execution.
- Establishes and manages the implementation of a long-term strategic destination media positioning strategy via long-lead pitches and placements.
- Coordinates, writes, edits, and manages the content production of digital/print materials relating to organizational and destination performance highlights, including but not limited to, VisitPITTSBURGH's Annual Report, Annual Meeting executive script, Business Plan, Quarterly Newsletters, and other ongoing communications materials as required.
- Serves as media contact and spokesperson for VisitPITTSBURGH as appropriate for press and media stories; ensures CEO and other leadership are made available for quotes when needed.
- Ensures CEO and leadership team are kept informed of pertinent local and industry news.
- Writes executive scripts and talking points for special events, media appearances and press conferences.
- Tracks and reports on performance metrics such as engagement and placements, and media-equivalency in dollars.
- Cultivates and manages local media contacts and relationships.
Skills & Specifications
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, or Journalism, or a related field is required.
- Three to five years in a senior public relations/communications/media role within a corporate or highly regulated industry or a PR firm is required.
- Demonstrated advanced writing and editing skills, samples required.
- Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders, including community representatives.
- Flexibility and adaptability to navigate changing project requirements and priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across a variety of communications channels is required.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, and Excel)
- Individual must possess a valid U.S. Driver’s license and credentials for traveling by air both domestically and internationally.
- Willingness to occasionally work non-traditional hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
This role is exempt and operates under a hybrid schedule, with a minimum of 3 days in-office required; however, flexibility to be in office or on-site in other locations more frequently is expected.