Media Relations and Film Manager

About the role

Join Discover Flagstaff in promoting one of Arizona's most distinctive destinations through media relations, strategic communications, and film development. The Media Relations and Film Manager leads initiatives that generate positive media coverage, strengthen relationships with industry partners, and enhance Flagstaff's visibility to visitors, media, and the film industry. Serving as the City's Film Commissioner, this position collaborates with production companies, community stakeholders, and City departments to support film projects while advancing the organization's tourism and economic development goals. This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional who thrives on storytelling, partnership building, and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provides excellent customer service to both internal and external customers
• Develops and maintains proactive and positive relationships with national and international media outlets, including alerting media to marketing initiatives, key campaigns, and speaking points; responds to media requests; prepares news releases; pitches strategically selected media; and researches, develops, and pitches story ideas
• Provides copywriting and editing for media relations activities and CVB publications, collateral, and social media, including researching, writing, and editing articles, advertorials, press releases, blogs, vlogs, and media kits; leads CVB newsletters; performs miscellaneous writing assignments; creates and distributes e-newsletters; and creates content for websites and assigned social media platforms
• Leads research and prepares drafts for speeches and special recognition such as award nominations and proclamations
• Conducts media familiarization tours, including coordinating, organizing, and attending press trips; prepares itineraries; organizes events; secures partnerships with hotels, attractions, dining, and meeting accommodations; and recruits and qualifies journalists
• Makes necessary preparations for media visiting Flagstaff, assisting with story background and development
• Manages day-to-day contracted operational aspects for the on-time completion of assignments, including developing success strategies; managing scope; selecting and engaging partners and vendors; tracking project milestones and deliverables; quality control; campaign/project management; record keeping; problem identification and resolution; and timely reporting of project status
• Creates, develops, and enhances relationships that contribute to the success of assignments, the program, the division, and the city
• Organizes and attends media events on behalf of the CVB, including traveling nationally and internationally to present to media outlets, dignitaries, and key decision makers; participates in media marketplace events; follows up on leads; and works closely with consumer travel, travel trade, and meetings trade journalists to promote the greater Flagstaff area
• Serves as an official CVB spokesperson, including securing, coordinating, and conducting on-camera or on-air live interviews with local, regional, and national media outlets to promote Flagstaff’s message and ensure CVB is sourced as an expert on tourism industry topics
• Develops and coordinates communication, both inward and outward facing, including industry partners, locals, and target audiences on platforms such as newsletters, meeting invitations, and other communication platforms; works closely with the marketing team to ensure consistent messaging and to fully leverage effective platforms
• Builds and maintains relationships within the community, including working with hotels, restaurants, retail, local organizations, Northern Arizona University (NAU), and attractions to serve as a media relations resource and keep informed of area-wide activities that generate public interest toward increasing visitation
• Manages all responsibilities of the Film Office and serves as the Flagstaff Film Commissioner, acting as a liaison between production companies, location managers, City of Flagstaff, and the public prior to and during filming
• Performs location research, scouting potential sites to determine their physical layout, compatibility with script needs, and location proximity
• Provides photographs and contact information for various locations under consideration by production companies
• Manages a contact database of location managers, scouts, production resources, and production companies
• Oversees the Flagstaff film permitting process and serves as the film liaison to local and regional film offices and organizations such as the Northern Arizona Film Collaborative and Arizona Film and Media Coalition
• Conducts online media relations activities, including maintaining the CVB’s online press room and media lists
• Strategically supports, develops, and coordinates the CVB’s presence on digital platforms, including social media and websites; actively involved in content coordination and/or creation, including strategically identifying topics and content needs across written and digital platforms, targeting multiple audiences, and identifying, procuring, and working with content creators
• Creates new and develops existing social media influencer relationships (paid and unpaid), podcasts, etc., supporting marketing strategies; qualifies and engages with social influencers (paid and unpaid), identifies and executes opportunities for content/audience alignment, hosts strategically selected influencers, and reports analytics to team and partners
• Coordinates, monitors, gathers, and analyzes monthly metrics for the CVB’s media relations and film activities and results, including maintaining organization of press clippings, videos, and/or promotional materials and entry into the media database
• Provides timely information to stakeholders on publicity generated through CVB efforts, tracks production days, and compiles and presents film activity reports and economic impact
• Develops relationships with other key tourism organizations such as the Arizona Office of Tourism and other statewide CVBs
• Attends all Arizona Office of Tourism Public Relations Roundtable meetings along with local and statewide film industry meetings
• Assists the Marketing and Media Relations Manager in preparing, implementing, and managing the Media Relations and Film budgets in determining expenditure priorities, ongoing programming, and strategic planning
• Assembles and analyzes information, presentations, and reports for Flagstaff City Council, management, and staff
• Safely operates a city vehicle in the performance of business-related activities and assigned duties
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Communications, or a related field
• Three (3) years of experience in public relations, media relations, journalism, communications, or marketing
• Valid driver’s license
• Any combination of relevant education and relevant experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis

Qualifications

• Four (4) years of experience in public relations, media relations, film, communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field
• Two (2) years of experience coordinating with social media influencers, including qualifying or vetting, and monitoring channels and handles
• Experience in the travel/hospitality industry
• Experience in the film relations industry
• Knowledge of AP writing style
• Knowledge of motion picture, commercial, and still photography production industries
• Must possess, or obtain upon employment, a valid Arizona driver’s license
• Must possess, or obtain upon employment, a valid passport
• Ability to work irregular hours (including evenings, weekends, and holidays) as dictated by media relations and marketing activities

Benefits

• Arizona State Retirement System with 100% match (mandatory contribution rate of approximately 12%)
• Deferred Compensation Options
• Up to 4% Annual Pay for Performance Increase
• Group Insurance including Health, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Flexible & Health Savings Accounts
• 13 Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick Leave, Personal Leave, Paid Parental Leave, Bereavement, Jury Duty
• Life Insurance, AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability, and Voluntary Life Insurance
• First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
• Qualified Public Student Loan Forgiveness Employer
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Clinic, Telehealth, Wellness Program & Incentives
• Tobacco Cessation Program
• Employer Assistance Program
• Recognition programs including Workiversary, Wonderful Outstanding Worker (WOW), On-the-Spot, 7k Award, and City Manager's Excellence Awards
• Employee Discounts: Mountain Line Bus Eco Pass, Aquaplex, and Recreation Centers

Pay

Annual salary of $61,651.20 - $92,497.60, based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.