Responsibilities

• Help to lead junior members of this PR team by mentoring, delegating responsibilities, encouraging professional development, and sharing industry knowledge and best practices
• Serve as a point of contact for clients and handle day-to-day activities of the account team, client projects and account management to ensure exceptional service to our clients; Provide strategic counsel to clients regarding PR matters, correspond as the day-to-day contact (for press visits, requests, queries, etc.), and lead regular PR conference calls
• Execute and manage PR initiatives including - PR plans and strategy documents, press trips, media events, appointments. Edit press releases/pitches, build distribution lists, review PR reports to create messaging, original content, media pitching, media reporting, awards & rankings
• Write structured, persuasive copy; highly skilled in writing in a range of styles including: news releases, case studies, status report, articles, and proposals
• Spearhead PR campaigns and pitching for each client and ensuring annual PR objectives are reached/surpassed.  Pitch across a broad range of media including social media channels and platforms, and secure high-profile coverage for our clients.  Develop client specific media strategies, goals targets and pitch angles that require minimal input from the senior leadership team.
• Lead daily client public relations account activities including developing and managing weekly timelines and action plans to effectively execute campaigns and client plans to ensure that all deadlines are met.  Anticipate and proactively offer solutions to senior team leadership for executional issues specific to assigned programs
• Participate in new business proposals, team brainstorm sessions, and staff meetings
• Develop strong relationships with client contacts and advance communications strategies that embrace the client’s strategy and positioning; Cultivate relationships with senior level national, regional, and online media, and with freelancers and influencers; Identify industry trends and build creative and strategic pitches to support them
• Maintain current knowledge of news and events regarding our clients, their industries, and their competition: read news outlets; know what is happening in the business landscape of our clients; Continuously explore and assess value-added solutions and new ideas for implementation
• Work with junior and senior Travel PR department staff to support clients and grow the practice - supporting new business opportunities development, RFPs and proposals, research, program development and presentations

Requirements

• 3+ years prior experience working at a PR agency with travel and luxury hospitality clients
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, Journalism or related field.
• Experience working with traditional and new media, social media and digital campaigns
• Proven experience in pitching stories to top-tier consumer media outlets – including travel, lifestyle, consumer business titles
• Experience in writing and managing client programs and reports
• Knowledge of travel industry from B2B and B2C standpoints is highly desired
• Solid project management and client relationship skills
• Excellent oral and written communications skills (includes presentation skills, editing skills, and strong attention to detail)
• Experience in developing Awards & Rankings submissions, including strategy, researching and writing submissions
• Experience supporting the development of stakeholder engagement strategies