Career Center

Virginia Restaurant Lodging & Travel Association

Job Description

Position:             Director of Marketing and Communications – Full Time

Reports To:        President, Vice President of Membership & Business Development

General Description

The Marketing and Communications Director is responsible for the overall strategy, management, and execution of all marketing and communications efforts of the Association. This position’s primary responsibility is for the development and implementation of marketing communications and awards programs for members and non-members. Additionally, the position supports the Association’s individual department’s needs, special events, sponsorships, public relations, and technology/data.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manages and develops content strategy for the association website (VRLTA, Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers, VA1 & Ordinary Awards sites) and social media (VRLTA/Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers/VA1 Facebook pages, VRLTA Instagram, LinkedIn, & Twitter accounts).
• Develops and execute correspondence for all outbound member communication including all promotional and sales materials, events, a bi-weekly e-newsletter, statewide travel publications, Quarterly Magazine, governmental affairs communications and member engagement and marketing reports.
• Design all materials needed by the association including print materials, digital, social media, logos and icons.
• Coordinates event publicity including advertising and material design, production and distribution.
• Coordinate Public Relations activities of the Association with local press
• Cultivate sales collateral for sponsorship development of VA1 conference, Ordinary Awards/Fall meeting, Legislative Day on the Hill & Virginia Prostart Invitational for the Association along with special events for the Association and special events.
• Assists with event logistics including, vendor/sponsor coordination and management, pre-event logistics/operational details pre-event, marketing and promotions and on-site event management.
• Manage and execute the Association's annual awards program, the Ordinary Awards. Including maintaining the website, developing communications to members and non-members, managing nominations and voting.
• Manage marketing communications and update the website for the statewide VA-1 Tourism Summit.
• Management, with sales team, of Partnership programs and administration.
• Provide guidance on technology needs for communications, including but not limited to MemberClicks CRM, websites, email marketing system, system integrations, etc.
• Assist with post event analytics and communications with event host as directed by the Vice President Membership & Business Development
• Attend staff meetings as scheduled
• Maintain and keep current all prospecting and member information in company database
• Reports directly to the Vice President Membership & Business Development and the President of VRLTA
• Other duties as assigned by the President of VRLTA

Personal Attributes

• Trustworthy: Able to convey trustworthiness based on honesty and personal integrity, earning and maintaining the trust and respect of staff, other managers and the President.
• People Oriented: Believes in other people and their potential to get things done; works to help others optimize their performance, contributions and behaviors; cares about people as individuals as well as employees/independent contractors.
• Positive: Radiates positive energy and enthusiasm to get things done.
• Service Oriented: Understands that he/she is in a service business and that the satisfaction of members is the number one priority.
• Commitment and Dedication: Willing to make the commitment and sacrifices necessary to do what it takes to make him/herself as well as the association successful.
• Organization: Able to prioritize important tasks for their fulfillment and accomplishment.
• Problem Solving: Able to proactively identify, solve and prevent problems.
• Follow-through: Committed to effective follow-through and attention to detail.
• Involved: Always involved and practices hands-on management to continually learn about the association, its people and members.
• Flexible and Adaptable: Willing to listen to and try new ideas and approaches; not wedded to “just one way”; able to think on his/her feet and adapt to changing needs, conditions and circumstances; able to assess a situation and respond appropriately.
• Self-Motivated: Continually exhibits a positive “can do” attitude with a high-energy level that enables him/her to get things done while conveying enthusiasm and energy for others to do likewise, and a willingness to propose new ideas to the team.
• Self-Confident: Radiates self-confidence while encouraging others to be self-confident as well.
• Self-Disciplined: Meets his/her commitments; able to stay the course in turbulent times; able to keep the most important things uppermost in his/her mind; willing to demand performance and results in the fact of difficulty, resistance and/or apathy.
• Decisive: Able to initiate and sustain change as well as make expedient and well-conceived decisions.
• Accountable: Accepts full responsibility for his/her obligations and commitments, demands accountability in and from others, and understand his/her responsibility for the association’s success, committed to achieving results in the appropriate way.
• Even-tempered: Has an easy-going personality and stays cool and rational in difficult situations. Provides a calming influence in situations by being in control of him/herself.
• Balance: Able to balance personal and work life to maintain a happy and healthy perspective on all endeavors.

Skills/Knowledge

• Exceptional project planning, project management and organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, WordPress, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop), Constant Contact, Phone2Action and other programs
• Understanding of database management for MemberClicks and marketing/communications technologies
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and provide timely results
• Thorough attention to detail, excellent listening skills, and exceptional focus on customer service
• Strong knowledge of social media communications including LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and others
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize work flow
• Creative graphic design

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum 1+years post-education marketing experience
• Must thrive in a collaborative, team environment
• Experience with associations/nonprofits a plus
• Some travel required – limited overnights
• Telework available occasionally, but this position will need to report to our office the Richmond

Excellent, flexible and fun work environment.  Competitive salary and benefits. Send cover letter and resume to: VRLTA, 5101 Monument Avenue, Suites 206, Richmond, VA 23230 or email, HR@vrlta.org.