External Communications Manager

Salary Range: $95,000 - $110,000

Location: Chicago (Hybrid)-- 455 North City Front Plaza Drive Suite #2600 Chicago, IL 60611 (NBC Building)

City Experiences is seeking a External Communications Manager for our Marketing operation in Chicago, IL.

About You:

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

About the Opportunity:

Alongside the Director of External Communications and supporting the VP of Communications Strategy, the Manager of External Communications will be responsible for building and developing the company’s external communications strategy to support a cohesive global company brand. S/he will be responsible for all consumer-facing content that the organization puts out in a consistent and timely manner.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manage and implement the external communications strategy that supports and advances the company’s brand identity, reflects the organization’s strategic vision and broadens awareness of the business’ priorities and objectives
• Increase awareness of priority verticals and products and initiatives in business and consumer press, ensuring alignment and integration with PR plans from the business verticals
• Oversee local publicists and agencies in various markets that work on specific brands in the company’s portfolio to execute upon their PR strategy for the respective city
• Support crisis communications with the goal of protecting Hornblower, its brands and assets, reinforcing reputation as a responsible entity
• Work with vertical teams to identify and develop news-worthy content that can be pitched to media, that are coordinated at the corporate level and support the Group’s overall PR strategy
• Support through a targeted PR approach the company’s business growth including company acquisitions and other business development
• Work collaboratively with internal communications, social, and blog teams to ensure that external communication is aligned (including company RESPECT values) and supported through company platforms
• Pro-actively develop opportunities and collaborations to place stories and promote key spokespeople
• Develop and monitor PR KPI’s; report monthly
• Assist in managing day-to-day relationship and performance of vendor relationships, agencies, etc. for PR/ communications as needed
• Develop and maintain active contact with press and influencers and supporting engaging social opportunities that will benefit the Group (and its brands)
• Identify and create media opportunities for leadership to tell the Hornblower story in targeted media
• Develop messaging, prepare briefing materials and brief spokespersons in preparation for media interviews
• Develop ongoing press materials including media list, fact sheets, overseeing media server accounts and compiling company clips reports with supporting metrics
• Implement social media strategies
• Manage video and photography assets for company brands on websites and internal materials
• Collaborate cross functionally with all areas of the business to support the development of marketing, promotional and new business development plans with PR support
• Additional job duties assigned

Requirements & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing or a related field required
• Minimum of 3-4 years of previous communications experience in a fast-paced environment
• Mix Agency and inhouse experience preferred
• Demonstrated success leading and collaborating with teams
• Demonstrated experience of influencing without authority
• Experience in the hospitality and travel industry a plus
• Excellent oral and strong written communication ability
• Strong organizational skills: detail focused, able to handle multiple tasks/projects at a time, meets deadlines
• Focus on customer needs
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint and Excel) as well as use and capabilities of remote software (Zoom, Teams, etc.)
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships as required by job responsibility
• Listen effectively, assesses the situation, determine relevant issues, & suggest solutions

About Us:

City Experiences’ passion is to provide amazing experiences on land and water. Our 40-year success through organic growth and acquisitions has resulted in a portfolio of over 25 brands that welcome upwards of 30 million guests/riders annually. If you’re an enthusiastic team player who thrives in an environment where communication, creativity, and cooperation are encouraged, this may just be the opportunity for you.

The RESPECT Service System embodies City Experiences’ 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. The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices, including, but not limited to, selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, handicap or disability, pregnancy, service member status, citizenship status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local 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.

Salary : $95,000 - $110,000