Director of Public Relations

About You

This person will be adaptable, dynamic, and embody City Experiences’ RESPECT Service System.

About The Opportunity

Primary responsibility is to lead and direct all Public Relations functions in order to meet or exceed marketing and sales goals and objectives for American Queen Voyages. The Director will be responsible for leading strategic planning, people management, project management, leveraging technology and improving processes to develop, execute and evaluate an integration of marketing communications, public relations and social media. This role will report into the VP of Marketing.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee, create and implement AQV’s external communications and initiatives that promote and advance AQV’s brand identity and broaden awareness of the businesses and its priorities including reputation management program that supports brand marketing, sales and operations goals.
• Develop and implement an annual communications strategy to reflect the organization's strategic vision and supports overall business objectives. Increase awareness of our products and initiatives in both trade and consumer press, ensuring alignment and integration with overall company goals.
• Manage external PR agency in working together to identify and develop news-worthy content that can be pitched to media in support of meeting the strategy goals. Pro-actively develop opportunities and collaborations to place AQV stories and promote key spokespeople.
• Act as company spokesperson and lead on issues/positions in response to media inquiries.
• Serve as liaison between Crew to coordinate onsite vessel media opportunities including the onboard logistics with TV shoots, media cruises and interview opportunities.
• Act as a primary contact for crisis communications with the goal of protecting AQV, reinforcing reputation as a responsible entity. Identify key spokespeople, develop statements and talking points and liaison as directly with media. Support the continued evolution of the company's crisis response capability aligned with Hornblower Corporate Communications, as well as educating, training, preparation, and process improvement as appropriate.
• Develop messaging including but not limited to press releases, media inquiries on behalf of company, guest communications, scripts, advertorials, executive briefings, and partner communications for both external communications and on behalf of AQV President.
• Develop and monitor PR KPI's; report monthly
• Identify executive speaking engagement opportunities and company awards strategy
• Develop earned media/influencer program promoting initiatives reaching consumer, travel trades, groups/meetings and specialty market verticals.
• Develop and maintain active contact with press and influencers that will benefit the company
• Leverage existing contacts and continue to build on media, local DMOs, vendors and destination/partner communications team relationships.
• Lead company digital asset strategy including blog content and social platforms including Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
• Collaborate with Hornblower Group corporate communications team on larger company communications initiatives including but both external and internal communications
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Requirements & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications or related required
• Master’s degree a plus

Professional Certification(s) Or License

Skills & Abilities:

• Expert skills and experience in multi-channel direct marketing
• Exceptional understanding of brand positioning and communications at multi-brand company
• Extensive experience communicating brand messaging with consideration of competitive and environmental factors
• Understanding of relationship marketing and how to build customer loyalty
• Passion for building outstanding end-to-end customer experiences
• Excellent/professional writing, storytelling, and communication skills; strategic listening skills to effectively interact and/or negotiate with all levels of internal and external customers
• Knowledge of financial components of product and marketing management, including product profit contributions (cost, pricing, mix), P&L statements, budgets and other financial metrics
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures
• Strong leadership skills and ability to thrive in results-oriented environment
• Extensive knowledge of public relations principles, practices and techniques
• Expert ability to develop and deliver informative and persuasive presentations
• Ability to communicate and interact with officials at all levels and to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Demonstrated success in leading and collaborating with teams
• Strong organizational skills: detail focused, able to handle multiple tasks/projects at a time, meets deadlines
• Listen effectively, assesses the situation, determine relevant issues, & suggest solutions
• Work requires willingness to travel and work a flexible schedule

Experience

• Minimum of 8+ years successful marketing communication experience demonstrating the use of skills necessary to execute this position successfully
• Travel/tourism, hospitality and/or cruise industry experience strongly preferred

Other

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Submit to and pass alcohol and drug tests including but not limited to pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident/incident testing.

The RESPECT Service System embodies American Queen Voyages’ mission, vision, values and operating principles. By creating a company culture that puts RESPECT at its core, we believe it will drive us to achieve our goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader.

The Company is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment against any applicants or employees based upon their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, status as a protected veteran, or other characteristics prohibited by applicable law.

Additionally, we encourage all qualified applicants including those with past arrest or conviction records to apply. The Company participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations.

We encourage qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records to apply.