Experience Kissimmee - VP of Marketing & Communications 

Experience Kissimmee is the official tourism authority for the Kissimmee destination and Osceola County, Florida. We promote the destination domestically and around the world to potential leisure, business, and sports travelers. Our team develops and implements sales, marketing and communications programs that encourage more than 9 million overnight guests annually. Our goal is to further our popular Central Florida destination’s reputation as being a top vacation spot by positioning Kissimmee as perfectly Whelmed – the perfect balance of thrilling adventures and relaxing moments.

Our Marketing and sales programs and campaigns highlight Kissimmee’s easy access to legendary theme parks and immersive outdoor experiences. Visitors can stay their way at more than 70,000 accommodations options, including 50,000 private vacation homes.
We work directly with our 900+ local Industry Partners to tell the Kissimmee story and all there is to see and do in this sunny location.

We are currently seeking a Vice President of Marketing and Commutations to lead Experience Kissimmee’s marketing and communications strategies towards its mission to drive tourism to the Kissimmee destination.

This leadership role oversees and provides guidance for the administration, development and execution of Experience Kissimmee’s destination marketing, brand strategy, corporate communications, publicity and media relations, creative services, advertising, and consumer events (activations) for the promotion of the organization, Osceola County and Kissimmee destination to consumers and travel professionals. This position reports directly to the President and CEO and will serve on the Executive Leadership Team.

Below are some of the major responsibilities of the position:

• Serve as a member of EK’s management team; oversee the development and implementation and the reporting against the organization’s strategic plan as well as the functional areas assigned to this position.
• Lead Experience Kissimmee’s brand message strategy, creating and managing brand identities, maintaining all written brand deliverables, including corporate and consumer brand standards, positioning, architecture, value proposition, and naming.
• Oversee the development and implementation of the organization’s annual marketing plan, brand message strategy, creative services, and all contracted creative agency relationships. Provide direction and final approvals throughout marketing campaign cycles based on the analysis and campaign reports to leverage data to make decisions that guide the brand strategy.
• Oversee and maintain the relationships with Central Florida’s theme parks, ensuring proper contacts and approvals have been received, as necessary.
• Exercise budgetary oversight and approval of marketing, brand strategy, communications and media relations activities.
• Serve as liaison with creative, media and other contracted agencies for conceptualizing, developing, and delivering trackable marketing programs and campaigns to achieve the goals and objectives for markets and programs as specified.
• Guide the overall creative look and feel of the organization’s marketing and campaign elements.
• Provide oversight of the Marketing and Brand Strategy department, its initiatives, campaigns, and programs to increase the awareness of Kissimmee as a vacation destination and traveler’s intent to book travel to the destination.
• Oversee development, maintenance, and marketing of the destination’s promotional website. Ensure website is a solid extension of the destination brand image. Monitor website for ease of use and overall usefulness for potential travelers. Provide ongoing insight and awareness of technology trends as they relate to destination websites and online marketing.
• Ensure revenue generating opportunities exist for and are of value to EK’s Industry Partners on the destination’s website.
• Develops and maintains collaborative and cooperative working relationships with Industry Partners. Develops cooperative marketing programs and opportunities of value to industry partners.
• Remain on the forefront of marketing and communications trends and be prepared to shift strategy to align the organization with the industry.
• Ensure consistent and effective messaging that perpetuates the positive contributions of Experience Kissimmee, the Board of Directors, and Industry Partners in positioning Kissimmee as a desired destination for travelers from around the globe.
• Provide advice to the President/CEO and staff on communications issues that impact the public’s perception of the organization, the destination, and its stakeholders.
• Oversee the development of proactive and reactive press releases and statements consistent with and considerate of President/CEO guidance and direction and security, accuracy, and policy concerns.
• On behalf of the President/CEO, act as the official spokesperson on matters of policy and Experience Kissimmee programs and initiatives. Serve as point of contact for local and industry media; brief and prepare official spokespeople for media interview.
• Oversee and provide guidance as needed to the Director of Communications in the assessment of departmental communication needs as well as the development and execution of the Communications Department’s strategic planning and programing.
• Motivate, coach, and manage Directors, Managers and staff towards the achievement of the organization’s strategic plan.
• Approve external communications initiatives to inform the local and national news outlets and travel media of destination activities and developments and to ensure accurate reporting.
• Provide oversite for the development and drafting of key organizational documents, reports, and presentations. Oversee creation and timely submission of monthly Board of Directors reports, quarterly Board of County Commission reports and the Annual Report.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of media agency and other vendor relationships that advance the organization’s goals.
• Ensure integration of Marketing and Communications teams for maximum efficiency.

Lead and manage the following departments: Marketing and Brand Strategy, Content Studio, Social Media, and Communications. This position has 5 direct reports.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in communications, public relations, journalism, hospitality management, marketing, digital media, advertising, or related fields.
• Minimum 10-15 years combined experience in destination marketing, communications, public relations, and 7 years of supervisory experience.
• Proficient in MS Office suite.
• Must have superior verbal and written communication, as well as presentation skills.
• Ability to think strategically, manage multiple tasks and achieve deadlines under pressure.
• Must possess a strong knowledge and understanding of Marketing, Advertising, Public/Media Relations, Website Development, Data Analytics and Research.
• Must demonstrate a collaborative, team-oriented approach to managing the team and working with other departments within EK.
• Must possess knowledge in media buying, negotiating media rates, ad placement, performance tracking and analyzing measured success of campaigns. Prefer candidates with proven experience in measuring conversion rates as a component of overall marketing success.
• Experience working within an organization governed by a volunteer board is preferred.

We are a diverse group of high performing individuals working to make a positive impact on our community. Experience Kissimmee offers competitive benefits and a rewarding work experience. The organization pays for almost 80% of medical and dental premiums, 100% of basic term life insurance and 100% of short- and long-term disability premiums. Experience Kissimmee also offers a competitive and generous Paid Time Off (PTO) plan and a safe harbor 401(k) plan.

We offer a competitive compensation package with an annual performance review process, opportunities for professional development and membership to professional organizations.

Experience Kissimmee is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with, and where applicable, in addition to federal, state, and local employment regulations, Experience Kissimmee will provide employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or other such protected classes as may be defined by law. All personnel actions and programs will adhere to this policy. Personnel actions and programs include, but are not limited to recruitment, selection, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, educational programs and/or social activities.

Qualified applicants should submit a resume to Julia DeVault, Director of Human Resources at [email protected].