Communications Specialist - Full Time - Year Round - Kirkwood, CA - Full-time / Part-time

Reach Your Peak at Vail Resorts. You're someone who pushes boundaries and challenges the status quo. You're brave, ambitious and passionate in everything you do. And we want you on our team. Pursue your fullest potential and never settle in the quest to deliver extraordinary guest service. Re-imagine a mountain resort experience with us. Welcome to Vail Resorts. Reach Your Peak.

Job Summary:

The Communications Specialist is a key member of Kirkwood’s Communications and Marketing team and aids in protecting the brand and proactively promoting Kirkwood and all of the Company’s ancillary businesses to drive bottom-line revenue for the resort, including daily lift tickets, season pass, ski school, F&B, etc. Primary responsibilities include proactive media pitching, planning and executing media trips, KPI tracking, internal communications via the employee newsletter, and crisis communications.

This position requires strong organizational skills, professional, on-brand demeanor, meticulous attention to detail, critical thinking and decision-making skills as well as the ability to multi-task and drive results in an extremely fast-paced work environment.

The Communications Specialist will aid the Senior Communications Manager in ensuring messaging alignment with Marketing and Corporate Communications, providing guidance and talking points to COO for external communications and strategically promoting brand message in target media outlets. This person will spend a good deal of time on-camera, as well, and will need to present a persona aligned with Kirkwood’s established media brand, demeanor and energy.

The Communications Specialist oversees the Communications department when the Communications Manager is off-site or on their days off. Because the Communications function at Kirkwood encompasses PR, media relations, employee communications, marketing and snow reporting, this individual must have experience in crisis communications and be well-rounded enough to provide guidance when the Manager is not available.

The Communications Specialist oversees on-mountain photo and video shoots, and must be able to make decisions on the go to protect the Company, its assets and those involved in these situations. The Communications Specialist will also aid in managing the resort snow reporter, providing leadership and guidance to marketing and communications employees, and developing conditions messaging for the resort.

Other roles and responsibilities include:

• Build strong working relationships across the resort, multi-resorts and Company
• Handle daily local, regional and national media inquiries and serve as a secondary spokesperson for resort
• Background in communications, marketing or journalism preferred 
• Knowledge of LiveStream and Online video streaming technologies
• Knowledge of social media platforms, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Periscope, Instagram ect
• Knowledge of Adobe Cloud products & programs, PremierPro, Photoshop, AfterEffects, InDesgin etc.
• Knowledge of GoPro and Cannon camera applications, usage and care 
• Strong writing skills
• Facilitate interviews with functional experts in Kirkwood and provide appropriate messaging and preparation
• Own media relationships and develop relationships with new media contacts
• Fulfill in-bound media requests and proactively pitch media
• Basic writing materials: media pitches, tip sheets, newsletters, press releases
• Edit and proofread written materials for quality and adherence to messaging  and style guidelines
• Manage the employee newsletter and employee safety newsletter
• Assemble coverage/KPI reports
• Build media lists, media visit itineraries, and editorial calendars
• Coordinate and facilitate press trips; host media on-mountain, ensuring an Experience of a Lifetime for targeted media guests
• Autonomously handle film/photo shoots (with Manager and/or COO approval)
• Provide administration including meeting deadlines, troubleshooting problems, attending and recording meetings, weekly/monthly activity/coverage/KPI reporting
• Handle departmental contracts
• Manage smaller scale multi-resort or corporate initiatives and events
• Assist in crisis communications scenarios
• Assist in management of the departmental budget
• Represent Kirkwood during travel to key markets
• Work closely to provide PR counsel to senior leadership team members
• Aid in managing snow reporters; creates conditions messaging
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications:

• Four-year college degree in Communications, Journalism or a related field, or the equivalent job-related experience or training.
• Must have a minimum of three years of public and media relations experience.
• Individual should also possess advanced writing skills, interpersonal skills, media knowledge and should be an intermediate to advanced skier/snowboarder for hosting journalists.
• Ski industry experience a plus.
• Must have the ability to effectively present information and respond to inquiries in a coherent and professional fashion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel required.
• Willingness to work holidays and weekends, with flexibility to attend night-time events.

** Please note: a resume are a required portion of this application. Your application will not be considered if these are not included. 

Kirkwood is for those that embrace the big mountain lifestyle and are as passionate about skiing and riding as they are about creating amazing experiences for our guests. Magical, raw, expansive and remote…Kirkwood is the stuff of legend. We’re famous for legendary snowfall, challenging inbounds terrain, backcountry guided tours and premier avalanche education programs. Those that come here come for an adventure unique to Kirkwood! Join our close-knit team working at one of the most stunning alpine resorts in the country.

Vail Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Requisition ID 117975