Surf Marketing Manager

DSRT SURF•Palm Desert, CA

7h•$90,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

DSRT SURF is seeking an execution-focused Marketing Manager to run its marketing department day to day and help shape surf lagoon culture. The role owns campaigns that attract coastal surfers from Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and beyond, with responsibility for planning work, keeping a small team moving, handling public relations and partnerships, and ensuring campaigns are completed and drive bookings. The position reports to the VP & General Manager and leads the Content & Media Creator and Marketing Coordinator. It works closely with Sales and Guest Experience in a fast-moving hospitality environment with significant ownership over results. This is a hybrid role requiring 1 to 2 days per week on-site in Palm Desert. Candidates based in coastal Southern California are especially sought. The position is full-time and exempt, with an anticipated salary range of $90,000–$100,000 per year. Compensation depends on experience, qualifications, skills, and business needs. Potential free surf sessions are also mentioned. The Marketing Manager will create and execute marketing campaigns, oversee channel calendars and content, manage email and social programs, lead PR and partnerships, run paid advertising, maintain brand standards, oversee the marketing budget, and track results including bookings. The role calls for hands-on marketing experience, preferably in surf, action sports, outdoor, travel, or hospitality, along with strong copywriting, organizational, analytical, and team-direction skills. DSRT SURF describes itself as a newly opened surf lagoon and hospitality destination with a small, hands-on marketing team. The job involves moving around the property—including the lagoon, beach, and outdoor areas—to capture content, working outdoors in desert heat and varying weather, and occasionally lifting up to 25 pounds. Evening, weekend, holiday, or event work may be required based on business needs.

Requirements

3 to 5 years of hands-on marketing experience; experience in surf, action sports, outdoor, travel, or hospitality is ideal.
Experience planning and running campaigns across social media, email, and print.
Experience with public relations, including writing press releases and pitching media.
Experience supervising or directing the work of others, such as coordinators, creators, or freelancers.
Hands-on experience with email platforms such as Mailchimp, Klaviyo, or similar.
Working knowledge of social media analytics, Meta Business Suite, and paid social.
Strong copywriting skills, including the ability to write short, punchy, authentic content.
A good eye for design and ability to make quick edits in Canva.
Understanding of surf culture and how surfers talk, shop, and travel.
Ability to manage multiple campaigns and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Comfort reading data and using results to adjust marketing activity.
Ability to remain seated or standing for extended periods.
Ability to move throughout the property, including the lagoon, beach, and outdoor areas, to capture content.
Ability to work outdoors in desert heat and varying weather conditions.
Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds, including camera and content gear.
Ability to work in a fast-paced hospitality environment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Marketing experience in surf, action sports, outdoor, travel, or hospitality.
Candidates based in coastal Southern California are especially sought.

Responsibilities

Plan and execute campaigns, including seasonal promotions, session drops, and events.
Build and manage the marketing calendar across social media, email, website, print, and press.
Manage the Content & Media Creator and Marketing Coordinator by assigning work, setting priorities, and providing feedback.
Set social media strategy and monthly content themes, and create shot lists for planned shoots.
Write and plan marketing emails and newsletters for the Marketing Coordinator to build and schedule.
Grow and segment the email list, focusing on coastal surfers, surf clubs, and surf travel audiences.
Write campaign messaging that is authentic to surf culture and avoids a corporate tone.
Manage public relations, including writing press releases, pitching surf, travel, and local media, and hosting media visits and interviews.
Build relationships with surf media, journalists, coastal surf shops, surf clubs, surf schools, and shapers.
Manage influencer, ambassador, and athlete partnerships.
Run paid social and digital advertising campaigns, including audience targeting and budget tracking.
Review and approve content and design before publication, maintaining consistent brand standards across channels.
Manage the marketing budget.
Track and report results, including social growth, email performance, press coverage, and marketing-driven bookings.
Coordinate with Sales and Guest Experience to align promotions, availability, and sales materials.