Sustainability and Public Affairs Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Summary:

The Sustainability & Public Affairs Manager is a key leader at Visit California and within the California tourism industry community. This position is responsible for executing a global public affairs program for Visit California aimed at promoting the relevance of California’s tourism industry and envisioning, developing and executing new sustainable travel and destination stewardship programs to ensure the longevity and preservation of the tourism industry, as well as California’s vital economic, environmental and cultural resources.

Responsibilities include developing strategies, managing communications tools and providing oversight of public affairs/public relations agencies and Visit California staff who execute public affairs strategies.

The manager assists with crisis communication strategy and partner engagement and works closely with communications on all facets of public affairs. In conjunction with the external affairs director, the manager communicates with stakeholders to change or shift perspective on issues affecting the state of California and travel and tourism.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• 40% Sustainability Expertise: Work across the organization to ensure both B2B and B2C sustainability-focused messaging and initiatives are developed and implemented. Help develop and manage statewide projects designed to inspire and educate California tourism industry partners, with special focus on sustainability. Consult with stakeholders on ongoing issues and opportunities within the tourism industry related to conservation, resources management, responsible travel and cultural tourism, etc. Seek opportunities to raise the relevance of California’s tourism industry in broader global discourse around sustainability and destination stewardship.
  
   
• 30% Communications Strategy: Act as project manager for Visit California’s public affairs agency.Develop public affairs strategies, communications plans and messaging around ongoing initiatives, including California Tourism Month and National Plan for Vacation Day, as well as global consumer-oriented marketing work that lend themselves to sustainability messaging, such as Visit Native California, responsible travel, etc.
  
   
• 10% Content Development: Ideate and develop content for online properties devoted to Public Affairs/Travel Matters messaging. Oversee ongoing content strategy for public- and industry-facing digital communications.
  
  
• 10% Media Relations: Enhance Visit California’s relationships with top-tier media. Respond to media inquiries and prepare interview briefs for executives and senior staff. Develop reports communicating program results for internal audiences, industry partners and key stakeholders.
  
   
• 5% Crisis Communications: Support aspects of crisis communications deployment, including developing consumer-facing messaging, overseeing crisis tracking tools, briefing staff, interactions with industry partners and making ongoing updates to Crisis Communications plans.
  
  
• 5% Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

Essential Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each key duty satisfactorily, as well as exhibit the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, media relations or related field
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in public relations, media relations, or communications
• Ability to identify communications opportunities and develop supporting programs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, specifically including expertise in AP styles. Persuasive writing experience is a plus
• Strong editing skills paired with a strong creative sensibility and strategic mindset
• Agency or Destination Marketing Organization experience a plus, tourism industry experience preferred
• Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite products, web browsers, and other graphics and presentation software