VP of Marketing & Communication

GCC•Columbia, SC

About The Position

The VP of Marketing & Communications oversees the direction and implementation of marketing and communications outreach for Experience Columbia SC, the Convention Center, and ECSC Sports. The role also serves in a community-relations capacity to build awareness of ECSC’s mission and works with the CEO and DMO Executive Director to develop and maintain funding sources for the DMO. The VP oversees marketing and communications staff, marketing plans, brand use, advertising placements, vendor relationships, community partnerships, and the visitors guide project. The position also develops grant applications, investigates funding and revenue opportunities, supports private-funding programs, and participates in budgeting and expenditure reviews for sales and marketing. The VP may represent or fill in for the President/CEO at community functions, events, or interviews as directed. Experience Columbia SC is the region’s destination marketing organization. Its mission is to strengthen the area’s economy by marketing and selling the region as a destination for meetings, conventions, tradeshows, special events, and leisure travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or Communications is required.
8–10 years of progressive experience related to management, sales, and marketing.
4–5 years of experience in a management role.
Interpersonal skills, including focusing on resolving conflict, maintaining confidentiality, remaining open to others’ ideas, and trying new things.
Visionary leadership skills, including inspiring respect and trust, mobilizing others, and providing vision to peers and subordinates.
Change-management skills, including developing implementation plans, communicating changes, building commitment, supporting those affected, and monitoring transitions.
Delegation skills, including assigning work appropriately, granting authority, setting expectations, monitoring activities, and recognizing results.
Judgment skills, including making timely and sound decisions, explaining reasoning, and involving appropriate people in decision-making.

Responsibilities

Develop and oversee execution of annual marketing plans.
Manage the director of marketing and oversee the social media specialist, graphic design specialist, and other associates reporting to that director.
Research and facilitate paid-space advertising placements and maintain relationships with advertising contacts.
Serve as a brand ambassador and ensure proper and effective use of the brand within the organization and community.
Educate the community about Experience Columbia SC’s purpose and mission and establish mutually beneficial community partnerships.
Handle communications and negotiations with advertising agencies and other vendors when outsourcing is needed, including bid and RFP processes as required.
Organize meetings with local attractions to streamline marketing efforts.
Conduct interdepartmental meetings to facilitate communication among departments.
Assist with brainstorming and ideas for special events produced by various departments.
Manage the director of communications and oversee the associate reporting to that director.
Oversee the Columbia SC Insiders Guide (visitors guide) project and its components managed by staff and vendor partners.
Write and present DMO grant applications for the listed municipalities and any additional available municipal grants.
Write and present SCPRT/Destination Specific grant applications for the DMO.
Investigate additional funding sources and revenue opportunities.
Work with the CEO and Partnership Services Manager to recruit private funding through the Destination Marketing Fee $1 Per Room Program and other partnership programs.
Work with the CEO, Finance, and department heads on budgeting for sales and marketing line items.
Review sales and marketing expenditures throughout the year and work with the CEO and VP of Finance to adjust projects and programming as needed.
Participate in community-related functions, events, or interviews alongside or as a fill-in for the President/CEO, as directed.