Job Description

Visit Napa Valley (VNV) is seeking an experienced, strategic corporate communications leader to join our team. Please note that this is a full-time position in downtown Napa and requires being onsite 5 complete days/week. You MUST live within a comfortable commuting distance to be considered.

The Director of Communications is a new, senior-level team member who will be responsible for managing, executing and expanding VNV’s communications efforts, serving as the public information officer.

You will:

• drive brand awareness and ensure a favorable view of the organization;
• oversee both corporate and brand / lifestyle communications;
• be responsible for developing and sustaining communication strategies, as well as deploying tactics with a hands-on approach, targeted at both visitors and local stakeholders.

Who You Are

You are a seasoned and mission-driven communications leader with exceptional strategic and storytelling abilities and proven leadership and execution in corporate and brand communications. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are hands on in driving brand reputation and awareness. You possess superior work ethic, emotional intelligence, and adeptly navigate complex situations with thoughtful, informed communication strategies.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive communications strategies to enhance brand awareness and maintain VNV's reputation across all stakeholder groups.
• Oversee and guide the communications team, fostering talent and ensuring cohesive messaging aligned with organizational goals.
• Manage VNV's crisis communications strategies, developing proactive measures and responses to protect and enhance organizational reputation during crises.
• Act as primary liaison with media - both business and lifestyle. Oversee press relations strategy, pitch high-value stories, and maintain strong working relationships with regional and national media outlets.
• Lead content creation including newsletters, press releases, presentations, speeches, and brand narratives, ensuring consistent messaging.
• Regularly partner with VNV Marketing team and external PR firms to synchronize communications initiatives and leverage insights.
• Provide support to CEO and senior leadership for speaking engagements, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and positioning.
• Collaborate with VNV marketing team on social media & influencer programming, strategy and execution
• Liaise with public relations and communications teams at partner organizations like US Travel, Visit California, California Travel Association, San Francisco Travel, and Destinations International
• Regularly measure and report on communications effectiveness and brand reputation, adjusting strategies as needed to achieve optimal impact.
• Proactively maintain a high awareness of general activity as it pertains to all VNV departments in order to nimbly provide communication support as well as to communicate relevant information to stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree, Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• 15+ years of relevant communications experience leading communication strategy in hospitality, non-profits, community affairs, political or grassroots organizing, or policy advocacy.
• Business acumen and fluency in the fundamentals of community communications.
• Proven track record of building relationships with internal stakeholders and external partner organizations.
• Self-starter, a doer, creative, problem-solver, critical thinker
• Proven success cultivating and maintaining positive relationships with external constituencies, including community partners, government officials and other government and quasi-governmental organizations.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills in the corporate communications realm.
• Superb judgment and emotional intelligence with ability to diffuse situations and forge consensus among divergent views.
• Technically savvy.
• Meticulous attention to detail and demonstrated history in project planning and process management.
• Demonstrated ability to earn trust across a range of levels and disciplines to establish yourself and the team as a trusted partner.
• Ability to connect with and inspire people to drive effective teamwork, communication, collaboration and commitment across multiple groups with competing priorities.

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