Communications Coordinator

This is responsible work in coordinating and executing a comprehensive communications and marketing plan that provides education, awareness, and promotion of the Tampa Convention Center to internal and external stakeholders.

An employee in this class, under general supervision, plans, coordinates, and implements an innovative comprehensive communications, public relations, and marketing program to promote a positive image of the Tampa Convention Center. As Tampa’s economic engine, the employee must position the Tampa Convention Center as world-class venue by providing engaging information across a variety of platforms to the general public, employees, and clients. This employee will also monitor/engage in department-related social media conversations/inquiries and track social media performance analytics, while staying abreast of the latest industry trends. Work is of average difficulty and requires the exercise of great initiative and independent judgment in determining what, when and how to communicate to best serve the needs of the Tampa Convention Center. Tact, discretion and courtesy are extremely important in discharging assigned duties. Work involves liaison and coordination with department, division, other city personnel and the general public. Work is reviewed through conferences, observations, reports submitted, and results obtained. This is an unclassified position.

Work closely with sales team to create compelling marketing materials shared with clients through a variety of platforms.

Continuously update existing website with engaging content, work with web team to improve user navigability, and spearhead creation of new website.

Strengthen and develop partnership with Visit Tampa Bay to share resources and talent for virtual content.

Collaborate and coordinate with third-party vendors to promote services and partnerships.

Responds to requests from the general public; provides responses to questions and complaints from the public concerning departmental/divisional operations and facilities.

Coordinates requests for department/division personnel for participation in public events; provides department/division employees to schools, science fairs, etc. 

Provides educational materials and opportunities on request; maintains library of relevant materials; makes brochures and handouts related to the department/division available for dissemination to interested parties.

Ensures communication plan is executed properly; prepares and distributes department newsletter; provides continuous improvement program updates; provides informational video announcements; provides communications to external stakeholders. 

Primary point of contact for the Tampa Convention Center Director and liaison to the Communications Director; ensures established departmental compliance with established communications policies, procedure and directives. 

Generates, edits, publishes and shares daily content (original text, images, video or HTML) to all applicable social media accounts

Provides the following services to the department/division: brand identity and graphics development; strategy to achieve their goals through print and digital media; image/photo enhancement and/or manipulation; design and execution of creative, high-quality, print-ready publications.

Assist in planning, facilitating, and executing public outreach activities including neighborhood and community feedback sessions as needed. 

Draft press materials across mainstream and community-based communication channels.

Initiate press outreach per citywide communications plan/expectations to increase positive messaging on a more routine basis.

Support and initiate visibility for department activities and major projects; lead messaging for projects prioritizing the benefit to the public. 

Track City Council requests and initiatives and provide greater visibility and affirmative positive coverage of progress Guide the publication and release of reports, including community outreach as needed. 

Provide support for all public engagement and outreach as needed.

Performs related work as required.

Advanced knowledge of: marketing tools and strategies; effective writing and communication skills; familiarity of mainstream and community-based media channels; all applicable social media and analytics platforms.

Intermediate knowledge of: department programs and portfolio; methods, principles, and practices utilized in graphic design.

Advanced ability to: professionally represent the department/division and the city; exercise independent judgment in determining what, when, and how to effect communications; communicate effectively to a wide variety of stakeholders.

Intermediate ability to: utilize written and oral communications in an effective manner; deal with the public in an effective manner. 

Advanced skill in: organization of communications and public relations materials and programs; use of computers (Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); the programs utilized in graphic design and video production including Adobe Photoshop CC, InDesign CC, Illustrator CC, and Premiere Pro CC; interpersonal relations; writing and summarizing complex materials for publication.

Intermediate skill in: scheduling, photography

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in public relations, advertising, journalism, or a related field and one (1) year of experience as the primary communications person with responsibility for external communications to include media interaction.

Possession of a valid drivers’ license required.

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

Employees may be required to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.

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