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Default Brand is hiring: Director-Public Relations in Saint Louis

Default Brand, Saint Louis, MO, United States


Working closely with agency partners and regional stakeholders, including Greater St. Louis, Inc., this role ensures a cohesive, amplified St. Louis story across tourism, business and economic development audiences. The PR Director will work collaboratively with our internal departments to effectively support tourism growth, convention sales and destination reputation.

Key Responsibilities

Lead national, international and regional PR strategies that elevate St. Louis’ profile and shape destination narrative

Drive media strategies that support convention sales, major events and key announcements

Support executive visibility for Explore St. Louis leadership, including the President and CEO, by identifying and securing media speaking opportunities, interviews and thought leadership positioning that elevate the destination narrative

Oversee local, national and international media outreach for Explore St. Louis, America’s Center and the St. Louis Film Office, with a focus on elevating the Film Office as a driver of national and global destination awareness

Collaborate with the partnerships team to align PR messaging and develop tools, story frameworks and communications that enable partners to amplify the St. Louis narrative

Expand media strategy to include podcasts, digital-first outlets and emerging media platforms, ensuring outreach reflects evolving media consumption habits

Manage national and international agency relationships to ensure alignment with organizational priorities

Track and analyze media performance to optimize strategy and impact

Plan and execute media hosting and familiarization tours

Maintain alignment with Greater St. Louis, Inc. to ensure a unified regional story

Identify timely story angles tied to openings, events and cultural moments across the destination

Develop press materials including releases, media alerts, itineraries and story starters

Plan and execute press conferences and media events as needed

Integrated Marketing Alignment

Align PR strategy with paid, owned and earned efforts in collaboration with marketing

Partner with social and content leads to integrate PR priorities into channel planning and campaigns

Ensure earned media storytelling is reflected across owned platforms including social, website, blog and newsletters

Work closely with the Director of Brand Voice to align PR strategy with brand positioning and messaging

Collaborate on editorial storytelling and destination features that support media pitching

Primary KPIs

Growth in high-value earned media placements across top tier national and international outlets

Share of voice versus competitive destinations in priority markets

Quality of coverage including message pull-through, brand alignment and target audience reach

Influence on destination perception, including shifts in sentiment, brand attributes and reputation in priority markets

Media impact on convention sales, major event visibility and destination demand

Increase in international media coverage, with emphasis on priority markets such as the UK

Performance of hosted media including resulting coverage and reach

Alignment of earned media with brand and campaign priorities across paid and owned channels

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing or related field required. Advanced degree preferred.

Equivalent senior-level experience will be considered

Qualifications and Attributes

Deep knowledge of St. Louis and its visitor economy

Strong storytelling, writing and editorial planning skills

Experience aligning PR with social and digital content strategies

Highly collaborative with strong internal and external relationship skills

Strong connector across media, hospitality and cultural sectors

Deep curiosity about travel, culture and emerging trends

Strategic mindset with clear understanding of PR’s role in destination growth

Confident external representative of the destination

Highly organized with ability to manage multiple priorities

Join us as a pivotal leader in shaping our organization’s voice! Bring your energy, creativity, and strategic insight to drive impactful public relations initiatives that resonate with audiences worldwide. Explore St. Louis offers a robust compensation and benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance as well as pension, paid holidays and PTO. Apply on our Explore St. Louis Careers URL or email a resume and cover letter to jobs@explorestlouis.com . Please include your cover letter and resume when applying online. NO PHONE CALLS! EOE.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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