Director of Marketing

Job Description – Director of Marketing

Employer:                   Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Reports to:                 Executive Director

Classification:             Full-time

About the Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Council Bluffs CVB is a private, not-for-profit, 501(c)6 organization with the express purpose of promoting Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County as a travel destination. Travelers spend more than $329 million annually in Pottawattamie County, according to Tourism Economics. The CBCVB is a four-person team passionate about promoting Council Bluffs and enticing new visitors to our one-of-a-kind city – UNlike anywhere else. On purpose.

Position Overview

This position gives voice to Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County’s travel and tourism experience. The marketing director is responsible for the development and management of all marketing, communications, and public relations in the forms of advertising, media releases, social media, publications, e-newsletters, and content promotion across paid, owned, and earned media.

Primary Responsibilities

• Execute effective marketing efforts, as outlined in an annual marketing, communications, and public relations plan written by the marketing director and approved by the executive director; develop all aspects of the plan, from the strategies to the tactics, for long and short-term purposes
• Manage CBCVB’s brand, brand strategy, and its proper usage as defined in annual marketing plan
• Implement multi-media ad campaigns (i.e., seasonal, event, etc.); take the lead on creating and placing advertising in all forms using print, social, e-newsletters, web, out-of-home, etc.
• Write and publish blogs, social media posts, visitor guides, media releases, and e-newsletters; manage consistent messaging across traditional and digital media platforms
• Produce and curate engaging social media content through an array of outlets; grow engagement, traffic, and followers to the pages
• Keep the CBCVB on top of travel marketing trends and the latest tools, such as AI
• Promote fresh, compelling content, blogs, and itineraries to improve SEO for UNleashCB.com; serve as the lead to solicit, update, and properly manage its multitude of listings and functions
• Pull reports and analytics for the website, social media, and advertising to measure performance with the intent to grow metrics that demonstrate ever-improving efficiency and effectiveness
• Initiate and nurture positive relationships with media contacts, influencers, and content creators, particularly those specific to the travel industry; write and disseminate media releases; respond to media and influencer inquiries and requests
• Collaborate and assist local stakeholders, the Pottawattamie Tourism Committee, surrounding destinations, and the Iowa Tourism Office with an eye to serving the CBCVB’s mission
• Lead the production of the visitor guide, including its content, layout, and advertising
• Design and develop the content for other collateral materials, e-newsletters, and PowerPoint presentations; support the work of the bureau’s sales efforts and executive director
• Capture quality images and videos of local events and attractions for use in a variety of purposes
• Other duties as assigned by the CBCVB executive director

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, web development, social media, tourism, or related field, plus at least five (5) years of professional experience in a marketing role
• Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills with an emphasis on copywriting, editing, and proofreading; proper use of grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary required
• Fully versed in best practices and analysis of web (i.e., SEO) and social media channels; a thorough understanding of primary social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, X, and Pinterest, as well as the ability to pick up emerging technologies quickly
• Strong technical skills, including knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Microsoft Office Suite – especially PowerPoint; capturing and editing compelling photography and video preferred
• Knowledge of key elements of page layout and design – including the ability to work with suppliers to produce appealing, high-impact communication materials
• Creative, innovative, motivated, self-starter, sets proper priorities
• Projects a positive attitude, willing to adapt to change, and sees themselves as a member of the CBCVB team able to work collaboratively with fellow staff as well as colleagues; open and receptive to supervisor’s direction; puts the organization’s aspirations above a personal agenda
• Excels in managing their time with regard to their effectiveness and efficiency, juggling multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while remaining detail-oriented
• Must be capable of exercising good judgment, discretion, and initiative; utilizes tact and courtesy in frequent contact with business representatives, government officials, and the public
• A review will be done 90 days after the marketing director's start date and annually on their work anniversary so both the employee and supervisor can exchange feedback
• Professional appearance and demeanor
• Willing to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as required
• Ability to lift 25 pounds
• Valid driver’s license required
•  Candidates possessing experience in travel and tourism as well as a knowledge and appreciation of Council Bluffs preferred

Organization Values

• Collaborate: partner with one another
• Innovate: try new things
• We, not me: make decisions good for the whole
• Be direct: bring issues to the table
• Give it a chance: make it happen
• Lead: make decisions, get results

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; sit at a desk and computer for long periods of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The staff member will also be asked to communicate effectively via verbal, audible, and written means.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The office is heated and air-conditioned. Travel is required periodically for presentations, tradeshows, training, conferences, special projects, and other activities, which may occur on evenings, holidays, and weekends for consecutive days.

Benefits

The CBCVB offers a substantial benefit package, including PTO; ten paid holidays; medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; business cell phone; and matching retirement contributions. Professional development opportunities will be provided to keep pace with the changing trends and needs of marketing, communications, and public relations.

How to Apply

To apply, please write a 300-word description of Council Bluffs touting the destination’s key assets and attractions for visitors. Send the writing sample, cover letter, and resume to Mark Eckman, Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau, 509 23^rd Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, by emailing these to [email protected]. The Council Bluffs CVB requests no phone calls or walk-ins regarding the position during the hiring process.

Salary Information

• Salary range: $60,000-95,000 (based on experience)