Whitefish Convention & Visitors Bureau / Explore Whitefish is hiring: Marketing

Whitefish, MT

JOB STATUS: Full-time (40 hrs/week)

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

JOB SUMMARY:

The Marketing Manager plays a central role in guiding the strategic marketing direction of Explore Whitefish. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this position is responsible for brand management, strategic marketing planning, market research, campaign development, digital advertising oversight, website content management, social media and content creation, and the development of marketing and promotional assets. The role involves coordination with external creative agencies, oversight of marketing budgets, and regular communication of marketing performance and initiatives to the Explore Whitefish Board of Directors, key stakeholders, and industry partners. While office-based, this position offers flexible remote work options, as approved by the Executive Director.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Brand Management & Strategy

• Maintain brand as determined by Brand Guidelines
• Ensure stewardship of the Explore Whitefish brand across all platforms and collateral as outlined by the Brand Guidelines
• Ensure consistent visual identity, tone, and messaging throughout campaigns, publications, and partner communications.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and agency partners on long-term brand positioning and creative strategy

Website & Online Communications

• Oversee and manage website content updates, SEO optimization, and user experience improvements for best performance and results
• Coordinate with web developers and agency of record to maintain site performance, functionality and improvements for user experience
• Create, maintain and update member listings as needed
• Create and update Events Calendar content on a bi-monthly basis

Digital Marketing & Advertising Campaigns

• Collaborate with agency to develop and manage digital advertising strategies, including paid search, display, programmatic, and social media campaigns
• Work with agency to monitor campaign performance and analytics, making data-driven adjustments to maximize engagement and ROI
• Testing campaigns to determine successful content before rollout
• Work with agency to manage paid content placements and ensure social media matches and support ongoing digital storytelling initiatives.
• Create and produce regular consumer newsletter that supports ongoing storytelling and brand

Social Media Management

• Maintain and execute a social media content calendar with consistent brand messaging
• Manage Explore Whitefish’s social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube and others as necessary
• Create and curate real-time, inspiring content aligned with organizational brand, goals and seasonal themes.
• Work with the Executive Director to develop social media policy and goals

Photography & Video

• Responsible for organizing and implementing all seasonal photo and video production.
• All content must be consistent with Explore Whitefish’s brand and core organizational mission
• Manage all partner photography and video production
• Manage budget items as annually allocated

Annual Development of Explore Whitefish Marketing Assets

• Management and oversight on the production of Whitefish Travel Guide, Whitefish Town Map, and Whitefish Group Meetings Packet, Groups Meetings Packet in coordination with lodging partners)
• Manage collateral materials for print or digital publishing
• Collaborate with agency on creative direction and campaign messaging.Examples of previous campaigns:
• For the Love of the Wild (off-season promotion)
• For the Love of Great Food (restaurant marketing)
• Be a Friend of the Fish (sustainability campaign)

Marketing Planning & Reporting

• Monthly, quarterly and annual reporting as noted above
• Create monthly board-level marketing report summaries and monthly market reporting to members
• Work with the agency to prepare a detailed Annual Marketing Business Plan as part of the broader Strategic Plan.
• Track and report on KPIs and ROI for all major marketing initiatives.

Administrative & Collaborative Roles

• Serve as staff lead for the Explore Whitefish Marketing Committee.
• Attend and present at monthly Explore Whitefish Board and Committee meetings.
• On occasion, provide in-office support including answering phones and visitor walk-ins when other staff are unavailable.
• Generally filling in as needed in other roles within the organization
• Work with agency and partners to accomplish mission objectives.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Tourism, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in marketing, advertising, or destination promotion.
• Proven success managing agencies, directing brand creative, and overseeing multi-channel campaigns.
• Strong understanding of social and digital media platforms, with experience in analytics and performance reporting.
• Experience with CMS platforms, Google Analytics, SEO, and content management tools.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat) or other similar design software (ex. Canva)
• Photo and video editing software (ex. Premiere Pro, Resolve, Final Cut)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace
• Proficient with Social Media management software (ex. HootSuite, Sprout)
• Familiar with digital asset management tools (ex. CrowdRiff, Simpleview)
• Familiar with content management for website
• Budget management experience required.
• Experience in tourism, hospitality, or nonprofit destination marketing preferred.
• Ability to be flexible with work hours to accommodate various projects (ex. Photo and video shoots)
• Hours may vary depending on projects and timing of early and late hours
• Work from home capability

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Excellent communication skills—both verbal and written.
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with board members, partners, and vendors (specifically photographers and videographers)
• Skilled in content creation, copywriting, and storytelling.
• Capable of public speaking and presenting to both small and large groups.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and shifting priorities.
• Team-oriented with the ability to work independently when needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequent sitting, computer use, standing, reaching, and light walking.
• Must be physically capable of working in a variety of outdoor environments. This includes the ability to stand, walk, and navigate uneven or rough terrain for extended periods of time, and to perform duties in varying weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, rain, snow).
• Manual dexterity required to operate standard office equipment.
• Must have the ability to perceive and distinguish color accurately to effectively work with visual media, including photography, video, and digital assets.
• Must be able to lift and transport photography and video equipment (up to 50 lbs), and assist with on-site production logistics in both urban and remote locations.

SALARY & BENEFITS:

Annual Salary: $55,000 – $70,000 DOE

Benefits Include:

• Medical and Dental Coverage
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
• 10 Paid Holidays Annually
• Simple IRA Match
• Season Ski Pass to Whitefish Mountain Resort & Gym Membership
• Flexible office environment
• HSA
• Mileage and Phone Reimbursement