Media Relations Manager

Department: Communications
Reports To: Director of Communications

SUMMARY: The objective of all departments is to position Visit Greater Palm Springs (VGPS) as the official tourism agency for Greater Palm Springs.

Under the direction of the Director of Communications, the Media Relations Manager develops, implements, and manages Visit Greater Palm Springs’ North American media relations program, promoting Greater Palm Springs as a premier destination for visitors, meetings, and conventions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with content creators, including travel writers, editors, influencers, and media outlets, to proactively generate positive editorial coverage for Greater Palm Springs.
• Develop, write, edit, and distribute press materials including press releases, media pitches, talking points, newsletter content, and online press room updates.
• Serve as a timely, knowledgeable, and professional point of contact for travel writers and media representatives.
• Proactively pitch long-lead and short-lead editorial opportunities, aligned with VGPS’s strategic calendar, events, hotel and restaurant openings, sports initiatives, and destination developments.
• Research and collaborate with media to develop compelling story angles that highlight timely destination experiences and newsworthy trends.
• Represent Greater Palm Springs at key industry events, media missions, and desk side meetings to cultivate relationships and pitch story ideas to top-tier travel, consumer, and meetings/conventions outlets.
• Collaborate closely with VGPS’s public relations agency of record, Visit California, and other strategic partners to amplify Greater Palm Springs' media exposure in the U.S. and Canadian markets.
• Plan and coordinate individual and group media visits, including researching, developing, and executing customized itineraries, securing accommodations, and coordinating access to local attractions and experiences.
• Monitor, track, and report earned media coverage, editorial value, impressions, reach, and other key PR performance indicators.
• Prepare monthly PR performance reports measuring quality score (Barcelona Principles), editorial value, impressions, and ROI metrics, offering insights and recommendations for future media strategies.
• Promote media coverage that highlights Greater Palm Springs' Partners, local businesses, and cities across media channels.
• Manage and maintain an up-to-date media database, segmented media lists, and CRM records to support targeted outreach.
• Build strong relationships with VGPS Partners, hotel and tourism businesses, and local city marketing teams to identify and support media opportunities.
• Represent Visit Greater Palm Springs with professionalism and integrity, promoting goodwill with Partners, media, and the community.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned. Flexibility to adapt to evolving deadlines, programs, and organizational needs is essential.

To perform this job successfully, the employee must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Attendance and physical presence in the VGPS office are considered essential functions.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, the employee must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and ability required.

Core Values

Embody our organizations’ core values, which are:

• Balance - We enjoy our best results through a balance of professional and personal achievement.
• Collaboration - We foster our collective strengths.
• Community - We build relationships to unify all and enhance our quality of life.
• Inclusion - We embrace diversity and foster equity and inclusion in all we do.
• Innovation - We dream beyond, challenging the norm and expanding boundaries.
• Integrity - We are honest, ethical, respectful and accountable to deliver our very best.
• Passion - We think, speak and act from the heart.

Qualifications
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required:

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficient in press release distribution systems.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Willingness to work outside typical business hours.
• Dependable, highly motivated team player with a positive attitude.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask, meet multiple deadlines, and work independently.
• Ability to communicate effectively across various departments.
• Ability to adapt and work in a changing environment.

Education & Background

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Journalism, Communications, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years of PR agency or in-house public relations experience required.
• Prior travel, tourism, or hospitality experience preferred.
• Requires a valid driver’s license and participation in the DMV Pull Notice program.

Office Skills

Proficient with business machines such as copiers, fax machines, printers, desktop computers, laptops, and cell phones. Proficient with commonly used business software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and any other programs essential to the job function.

Language Skills

Must be able to analyze and interpret general business information, technical procedures related to job functions, and governmental regulations. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from leadership, managers, colleagues, and the general public.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve problems and deal with a multitude of variables, including but not limited to information presented in oral, written, diagram, or report form.

Required Technical/Other Skills/Licenses

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Familiar with media monitoring platforms such as Meltwater, Cision, or Muck Rack, as well as CRM/database systems for managing media contacts. Experienced with press release distribution services like Cision or PR Newswire. Basic proficiency in presentation and light design tools, such as PowerPoint and Canva, is preferred. Comfortable operating common business machines, including printers, copiers, and scanners.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, listen, sit, stand, have hand and finger dexterity, reach with hands and arms, walk, and stand for long periods of time, and is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, or lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet, except when in-office meetings or hands-free speaker phone calls are conducted nearby.

Safety

Employee is required to comply with established safe work practices and attend safety-related training provided or made available by VGPS.

Company Funds

This position HAS access to company funds, such as cash, checks, company credit cards, client credit card information or contracts.

Confidential Information

This position has access to confidential information that includes legal, financial personnel, clients, contracts, passwords, and codes.

NOTE: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $74,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person