Economic Development Specialist III Communications Manager

Medc; Jackson (MS); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Visit Mississippi, under the Mississippi Development Authority, seeks an Economic Development Specialist III to serve as Communications Manager. You will guide media relations, editorial communications, and public-facing messaging to promote Mississippi as a premier travel destination.

Under the Chief Marketing Officer, you will manage day-to-day activities, respond to media inquiries, and coordinate with partners to generate positive coverage. Strong writing and project management are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong writing, editing, and project management skills required.
• Ability to develop executive communications and public-facing content.
• Experience coordinating with media, partners, and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and distribute media advisories, news releases, and briefing documents for Visit Mississippi and programs.
• Maintain media databases and support media relations activities, including inquiries and asset requests.
• Write, edit, and proofread content for owned, earned, and paid channels and ensure brand consistency.
• Develop executive communications including talking points, presentations, and scripts.
• Assist with planning, promotion, and execution of Visit Mississippi events and press conferences.
• Support trail programs through press materials and promotional collateral.
• Collaborate with PR firm and stakeholders to identify story opportunities and editorial calendars.
• Represent Visit Mississippi at conferences, media marketplaces, and industry events.
• Provide support for broader initiatives, including campaigns and stakeholder communications.
• Review invoices, contracts, vendor documentation, and assist with budget/tracking.
• Ensure all materials align with brand voice and strategic objectives.
• Maintain relationships with in-state media and monitor earned media coverage.
• Maintain relationships with stakeholders, tourism partners and associations.
• Manage multiple projects and ensure deadlines and quality.

Skills

Media relations

Editing/Writing

Project management

Content development

Tools

Cision

Job description

Economic Development Specialist III Communications Manager

The Economic Development Specialist III will serve as the Communications Manager for Visit Mississippi at the Mississippi Development Authority. This position is responsible for executing communications efforts that tell Mississippi’s story to potential visitors, media audiences, industry partners, and stakeholders. The Communications Manager will support media relations, editorial communications, and public-facing messaging that enhances the Visit Mississippi brand and positions Mississippi as a premier travel destination. The Communications Manager serves as a key communications resource for the Office of Marketing & Communications and Visit Mississippi, supporting the development and execution of public relations, events, and other initiatives. Under the direction of the Chief Marketing Officer, this position manages day-to-day communications activities, including responding to media inquiries, developing content, and maintaining relationships with media and tourism partners. This position ensures consistency in Visit Mississippi’s messaging and brand standards while collaborating with internal teams, tourism stakeholders, and media representatives to generate positive visibility and inspire travel to Mississippi. The position requires strong writing, editing, and project management skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and distribute media advisories, news releases, briefing documents, and other media materials for Visit Mississippi, trail systems, and affiliated programs through Cision and other digital platforms.
• Maintain media databases and support day-to-day media relations activities, including responding to inquiries and coordinating fulfillment of requests for information, photography or video assets, and interviews.
• Write, edit, and proofread content for Visit Mississippi’s owned, earned, and paid channels, including newsletters, blogs, online articles, itineraries, collateral, and other consumer-facing communications. Review and edit vendor- and agency-developed content to ensure accuracy and consistency with Visit Mississippi’s brand voice, messaging standards, and objectives.
• Develop executive communications, including talking points, presentation materials, scripts, and other public-facing content that supports Visit Mississippi leadership, initiatives, and events.
• Assist with planning, promotion, and execution of Visit Mississippi events, including press conferences, marker unveilings, industry events, and activations through media relations, collateral development, and event support.
• Support Visit Mississippi trail programs through the development of press materials and promotional collateral. Current trail programs include the Mississippi Blues Trail, Mississippi Country Music Trail, Mississippi Freedom Trail, Mississippi Writers Trail, and the Great Mississippi Nature Trail.
• Collaborate with Visit Mississippi’s public relations firm, partner organizations, and the Chief Marketing Officer to identify, develop, and execute story opportunities regularly. Maintain editorial calendars aligned with Visit Mississippi priorities, campaigns, events, and organizational goals to support positive coverage of Mississippi tourism assets.
• Represent Visit Mississippi at tourism conferences, media marketplaces, industry events, professional meetings, and industry organizations. Participate in committees and industry activities on behalf of Visit Mississippi.
• Provide support for broader Office Visit Mississippi initiatives, including marketing campaigns, special projects, stakeholder communications, and brand initiatives.
• Review invoices, contracts, and vendor documentation; assist with administrative functions related to the Office of Marketing & Communications activities, budget and deliverable tracking/reporting, vendor management, and contract coordination.
• Ensure all communication materials align with Visit Mississippi’s brand voice, messaging standards, and strategic objectives.
• Develop and maintain relationships with in-state media outlets and monitor, track, and report on earned media coverage.
• Maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, tourism partners, industry organizations, and professional associations.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while prioritizing deadlines and maintaining quality standards.
• Maintain organized records of media contacts, editorial calendars, communication materials, and performance reporting.

The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are representative of the work performed but are not intended to be all-inclusive. Visit Mississippi reserves the right to revise, modify, or assign additional duties and responsibilities as needs evolve. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned.