Communications Manager (HYBRID)

The Communications Manager, reporting to the Director of Community Engagement, is primarily responsible for executing the corporate communications strategy of the Chattanooga Tourism Co., focused on using a data-driven approach to convey the value of the organization to local government, partners, residents, and other key external stakeholders. This is an exempt, full-time position in a hybrid work environment in Chattanooga, TN, and the individual in this role must reside in the Chattanooga metropolitan area.

In this role, success for you means:

Connecting the Chattanooga Tourism Co.’s and destination marketing industry’s value to investors and the community through communications efforts by:

• Evaluating, identifying, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of corporate communications efforts extended to meet the organization’s and Engagement and Impact team’s goals connecting key external stakeholders in the local economy to the tourism economy. Strategically, you will focus on tying the community engagement, partnership, and research functions to the corporate communications process and programming.
• Creating and communicating constructive feedback loops to ensure that the Engagement and Impact team is exceeding expectations in meeting the needs of the organization’s targeted corporate communications and making/implementing strategic recommendations for improvement that optimize organizational excellence.

Day-to-day you will:

Work as a member of the Engagement and Impact team to:

• Implement and refine corporate communications strategies that ensure messaging effectively conveys the value of tourism to local government, partners, residents, and key stakeholders.
• Manage the corporate communications process by drafting, refining, and distributing organizational messaging, reports, press releases, and public statements. You will ensure that all communications are data-driven, aligned with strategic goals, and effectively positioned to resonate with the intended audiences.
• Execute corporate communications that engage key investor entities, including local government officials, private sector partners, and community organizations, ensuring messaging clearly articulates the impact of tourism investment and the return on investment for public and private revenue streams. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate research findings and tourism impact data into compelling narratives that influence public perception and stakeholder decision-making.
• Support executive leadership by drafting speeches, op-eds, and key messaging for the CEO and other team members, ensuring public-facing statements elevate the organization’s mission, values, and brand, reinforce its strategic vision, and maintain alignment with stakeholder priorities.
• Support the Director of Community Engagement and VP of Engagement and Impact in external stakeholder communications that build community trust and engagement with the organization’s mission that effectively communicate the organization’s role in driving economic impact through tourism and continuously refining messaging strategies to maximize their effectiveness and reach.
• Support the Engagement and Impact team’s government relations messaging by staying informed on legislative developments, funding structures, and policy changes that impact the tourism industry, elevating the organization’s communications to accurately reflect key policy considerations and proactively address emerging challenges.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for proactive storytelling, crisis communication strategies, and strategic engagement with local media and public officials.
• Effectively manage internal and external relationships to collaboratively create and align efforts for a unified brand voice.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned by the Director of Community Engagement, VP of Engagement and Impact, CEO, or COO.

Experience you bring to this role is:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or business administration and two years or more of relevant experience in public relations/government communications/corporate communications/crisis communications OR
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in an unrelated field or a high school diploma/GED and four years or more of relevant experience in public relations/government communications/corporate communications/crisis communications.
• Experience in the travel/tourism/hospitality industry or city/state/federal government is a bonus.

Physical Requirements:

• A complete range of motion is required in the position including but not limited to: balancing, carrying, climbing, crawling, grasping/handling/feeling, kneeling, lifting (up to 25 lbs.), listening, pulling or pushing, reaching, running, seeing, sitting, standing, stooping, talking, walking, etc.
• Access to reliable transportation, and if in possession of a motor vehicle, a valid driver’s license and motor vehicle insurance are required.
• Riding in a vehicle and flying in an airplane are required.

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• The typical work environment is an environmentally controlled business office with core business hours of 8:30am – 5:00pm.
• Some earlier morning, later evening and weekend work is occassionally required.

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to eligible individuals.