Communications Manager

Help Tell the Story of One of the South’s Most Creative Cities
VisitHATTIESBURG is looking for a strategic, creative, and highly collaborative Communications Manager to help shape how people experience Hattiesburg before they ever arrive.

This role is more than assisting with communications. It’s about building excitement, elevating community stories, strengthening media relationships, and helping position Hattiesburg as a must-visit destination in the Gulf South.

The ideal candidate is equal parts storyteller, strategist, project manager, and brand champion. They thrive in fast-paced environments, understand modern media and digital communication trends, and know how to turn ideas into meaningful engagement.

If you love tourism, culture, events, hospitality, and creative storytelling, we’d love to meet you.

Details
Reports to : Marketing Director
Status : Full-Time, Exempt

Position Overview
The Communications Manager assists and manages Visit Hattiesburg’s public relations, storytelling, and digital content strategy. This position is responsible for maintaining the organization’s brand voice, engaging audiences through earned and owned media, and producing clear, compelling content across all platforms.

In collaboration with the CEO, VP of Marketing & Programs, and Marketing Director, the Communications Manager helps ensure that all public messaging aligns with Visit Hattiesburg’s brand identity, strategic goals, and cultural tone. This role also provides day‑to‑day support for the umbrella programs of the organization, including Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art (HAPA) and Mississippi Miss Hospitality Program.

Core Responsibilities
Public Relations & Media Engagement

Serve as the primary contact for media requests, press interviews, and story development

Pitch stories to local and travel media and coordinate FAM tours with travel writers and influencers

Maintain updated press kits, fact sheets, and media assets

Track media coverage, publicity results, and campaign performance to measure reach and identify opportunities for increased destination exposure

Content Creation & Messaging

Write and edit content for newsletters, blogs, press releases, web pages, and promotional materials

Coordinate storytelling strategies with the Marketing Director to ensure voice and tone consistency

Lead editorial planning for brand-aligned messaging across departments and programs

Track content performance and audience metrics to evaluate effectiveness and guide future messaging strategies

Social Media & Digital Communications

Manage Visit Hattiesburg and its umbrella programs’ social media calendar, copywriting, and performance tracking

Collaborate with the Marketing Director to align visual and written content

Monitor engagement, audience growth, reach, and campaign performance to optimize messaging and inform future digital strategies based on performance insights

Program Support

Provide communications, copywriting, and public-facing support for umbrella programs, events, and activations

Support overall marketing and communications needs for special programs, including promotional materials, contestant messaging, and event storytelling

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field

2–4 years of experience in public relations, digital content, or tourism communications

Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills; familiarity with AP style

Proficiency in email marketing, social scheduling platforms, and cloud-based tools

Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with strong attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with tourism media or destination marketing

Graphic design skills or experience with visual asset creation is a plus

WordPress or CMS experience for light website editing

Additional Information

This position is based in Hattiesburg, MS, and may require occasional evening or weekend work for events or media hosting

Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Organizational Standards
All Visit Hattiesburg team members are expected to contribute to a positive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture and to adhere to all policies outlined in the Personnel & Policies Manual. Employees are encouraged to pursue professional development opportunities that enhance their contributions to the organization and the community.

Employment Policy
It is the policy of Hattiesburg Tourism Commission that employment shall be based on merit, qualifications and competence. Employment practices shall not be influenced or affected by virtue of the employee’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment including, but not limited to hiring, orientation, training, placement and employee development, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, educational assistance, layoff and recall, social and recreational programs, employee facilities, termination and retirement.

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