Public Relations Coordinator

Join the team at Visit Huntington Beach, one of the Orange County Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in the OC for three years in a row!

The Company

Visit Huntington Beach (VHB) is the official destination marketing organization for Huntington Beach, CA. A 501(c)(6) non-profit organization, its mission is to support and advocate for the economic vitality and quality of life for the Huntington Beach community through inspirational destination marketing and brand management.

Its programs include marketing, public relations, group sales, visitor and partner services, advocacy, and tourism development. VHB embodies a community-focused spirit of service that is proactive and strategic. It places an emphasis on teamwork; staff engagement and commitment; diversity, equity, and inclusion; professional development and accountability; community support; and sustainability. The small, but mighty, staff represents the best of Huntington Beach at a professional, high-quality, laid-back luxury level.

The Position

The position of Public Relations Coordinator will be responsible for public relations and media communications initiatives for Visit Huntington Beach. Under the direction of the VP of Public Relations & Communications, they will work with national and international media and influencers as well as local community organizations to increase destination/organization awareness and attract leisure travel and group meetings to Huntington Beach. The successful candidate will be proactive, self-motivated, creative, collaborative, and detail-oriented.

This full-time position reports to the VP of Public Relations & Communications in collaboration with the VHB marketing team and is primarily located in the Visit Huntington Beach office in downtown Huntington Beach, with the option to work from home one day per week.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Public Relations (55%)

• Evaluate inbound media and influencer requests in a timely manner and work with media on story development;
• Develop and manage media FAM itineraries for national and international visiting journalists and related crews. Host media on press visits while coordinating communication with local partners, attractions, and agencies;
• Support influencer and media familiarization visits, press conferences, and other events as needed;
• Support PR agencies’ pitch efforts targeting trade, local, national, and international print, broadcast, and online/social media;
• Produce written and visual communication materials including press releases, media pitches, fact sheets, media e-newsletters, presentations, reports, and other copywriting as needed;
• Identify, develop and maintain strong relationships with domestic and international media, key social influencers/bloggers, and industry experts;
• Stay up to date on knowledge of Huntington Beach including hotel properties, attractions, and amenities, and the Orange County & LA region’s new tourism products and upcoming major events;
• Prepare and maintain press kit materials including amenities, story ideas, Q&As, fact sheets, news releases, photography, videos, and related information to media throughout the year;
• Assist with promotion and execution of events, tradeshows, and media missions as needed.

Administration (30%)

• Engage and respond to email queries in a timely manner and monitor destination reputation;
• Curate and maintain all media list databases, PR tracking services, and other related media databases;
• Monitor destination press coverage, track results and produce clip and KPI reports as needed;
• Maintain the PR and FAM section of VHB’s CRM;
• Shoot, collect, tag, and organize photos and/or videos for press materials.

Media Communications / Social Media / Web (15%)

• Produce targeted pitches for Brand USA, Visit California, and other various organizations and outlets;
• Assist with blog, e-blast, social media, website content for SurfCityUSA.com, VHB’s e-communication, and social media platforms as needed;
• Manage and update the media webpages and online press room for the SurfCityUSA.com website;
• Produce the monthly PR newsletter and assist with content for CEO and CMO newsletters.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Ability to travel to various locations;
• Ability to work weekends, as necessary;
• Attending conferences or training sessions within Huntington Beach and in- or out-of-state locations;
• Sitting at a desk for sometimes long and continuous periods of time;
• Occasionally standing for long periods of time;
• Answering or making calls on the telephone for sometimes long and continuous periods of time;
• Carrying loads up to 40 lbs.;
• Using a keyboard to perform research, and to communicate through written means for sometimes long and continuous periods of time;
• Looking at a computer monitor for sometimes long and continuous periods of time;
• Occasionally standing, walking, reaching, and stooping.

Qualifications

Incumbents must demonstrate the ability to follow policies and procedures as established in the Company’s Employee Handbook. Incumbents will also contribute to a positive work environment by behaving and communicating in a manner such that they get along with all constituent groups, co-workers, and management.

Education / Certification

• High School Diploma, required;
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, and/or marketing-related field;
• Must have a valid Driver’s License, passport, and auto insurance.

Work Experience

• Two (2) years of public relations, including internships;
• Two (2) years of hospitality/tourism experience preferred.

Key Skill Set

• Must be self-directed, motivated, collaborative, and demonstrate intuitive customer service and interpersonal skills;
• Effectively deals with internal and external customers, with high levels of patience, tact, and diplomacy;
• General knowledge of Huntington Beach and the region including hotel properties, attractions, and amenities is a plus;
• Must be able to execute basic math skills;
• Communicates clearly, concisely, and openly in all interactions;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in decision making;
• Strong writing and editing skills, with a comprehensive knowledge of AP style, grammar, and vocabulary;
• Compose, proofread, and edit all written items as required;
• Be able to exercise discretion when sharing company and client information;
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational, analytical, and time management skills;
• Multi-tasks and prioritizes in a fast-paced work environment.

Equipment and Applications

• High proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams;
• Professional experience using social media platforms and content management tools;
• Working knowledge of social media platforms and tools (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Crowdriff);
• Adobe Acrobat Professional;
• Canva;
• Photo editing software a plus;
• Photography and videography a plus;
• Working knowledge of all standard office equipment including iPads;
• Working knowledge of Simpleview CRM/CMS software.

Compensation & Benefits

• Market competitive salary with incentive plan;
• Health, vision, and dental insurance;
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA);
• Retirement plan with employer contribution;
• Life & Disability Insurance benefits;
• Paid time off, vacation, and holidays;
• Flexible schedule;
• Modern, professional, Surf City USA® lifestyle office environment with standing desks and kitchen stocked with beverages and snacks.

Job Type: Exempt

Salary Range: $70,500 – $74,000

Learn more here