Director of Public Relations

Key Responsibilities

• Lead national, international and regional PR strategies that elevate St. Louis’ profile and shape destination narrative
• Drive media strategies that support convention sales, major events and key announcements
• Support executive visibility for Explore St. Louis leadership, including the President and CEO, by identifying and securing media speaking opportunities, interviews and thought leadership positioning that elevate the destination narrative
• Oversee local, national and international media outreach for Explore St. Louis, America’s Center and the St. Louis Film Office, with a focus on elevating the Film Office as a driver of national and global destination awareness
• Collaborate with the partnership team to align PR messaging and develop tools, story frameworks and communications that enable partners to amplify the St. Louis narrative
• Expand media strategy to include podcasts, digital-first outlets and emerging media platforms, ensuring outreach reflects evolving media consumption habits
• Manage national and international agency relationships to ensure alignment with organizational priorities
• Track and analyze media performance to optimize strategy and impact
• Plan and execute media hosting and familiarization tours
• Maintain alignment with Greater St. Louis, Inc. to ensure a unified regional story
• Identify timely story angles tied to openings, events and cultural moments across the destination
• Develop press materials including releases, media alerts, itineraries and story starters
• Plan and execute press conferences and media events as needed

Integrated Marketing Alignment

• Align PR strategy with paid, owned and earned efforts in collaboration with marketing
• Partner with social and content leads to integrate PR priorities into channel planning and campaigns
• Ensure earned media storytelling is reflected across owned platforms including social, website, blog and newsletters
• Work closely with the Director of Brand Voice to align PR strategy with brand positioning and messaging
• Collaborate on editorial storytelling and destination features that support media pitching

Qualifications and Attributes

• 10 to 12 years of experience in public relations, destination marketing or travel media
• Strong track record securing national media coverage and shaping destination narratives
• Experience in tourism, hospitality, lifestyle or related sectors preferred
• Experience managing PR agencies and multi-organization collaboration
• Familiarity with international media, particularly UK market preferred
• Deep knowledge of St. Louis and its visitor economy
• Strong storytelling, writing and editorial planning skills
• Experience aligning PR with social and digital content strategies
• Highly collaborative with strong internal and external relationship skills
• Deep curiosity about travel, culture and emerging trends
• Strategic mindset with clear understanding of PR’s role in destination growth
• Confident external representative of the destination
• Highly organized with ability to manage multiple priorities

Benefits

Explore St. Louis offers a robust compensation and benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance as well as pension, paid holidays and PTO.