Employment Opportunities

ABOUT DISCOVER AMES
Discover Ames is the official destination marketing organization for the city of Ames and the surrounding area. The organization brings meetings, conventions, events, and leisure travelers to Ames and the Iowa State University campus and provides services to those groups and visitors. Discover Ames produces an annual visitors guide, weekly newsletters, a tourism website, and social media aimed at visitors and the Ames community. Our team members have a passion for Ames and Iowa State University. Our organization values customer service, hospitality, innovation, initiative, teamwork, and building relationships with our clients, partners, and community.

POSITION OVERVIEW
This position reports to the Director of Marketing and Communications. Key responsibilities include creation and distribution of weekly newsletters, content creation for and maintenance of Discover Ames website, social media campaigns and digital advertising, and overall marketing campaigns and brand awareness strategies.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Digital Marketing
• Research, write, design, and post strategic promotional content across multiple social media platforms
• Research, write, create, and distribute weekly Discover Ames and Ames Insider newsletters, as well as occasional specialized newsletters and other broadcast emails, through Constant Contact
• Research, create, and update website content including featured content, itineraries, blogs, business listings, forms, and customized event pages
• Collaborate with and support leadership, sales team, and visitor experience team with requests including, but not limited to, social posts, web pages, and event communications requests
• Actively participate in marketing campaign and brand awareness strategies
• Execute campaigns through Google ads, social media advertising, and boosted posts
• Hire, train, and supervise marketing interns
• Provide website, social media, and visitor analytics
• Optimize website content to improve search engine rankings

Visitor Services
• Fulfill visitor requests via website, phone, email, and mail
• Coordinate the distribution of marketing materials to visitor/welcome centers and local businesses
• Assist staff as needed with projects related to promotions, special events, sales leads, and group tours
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS
Education/experience
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum of two years’ experience in marketing, communications, or graphic design

Professional requirements
• Expertise in social media and website management tools
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent writing skills, including command of grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)
• Experience creating and editing user-generated video• Strong proofreading skills
• Strong project management skills
• Detailed oriented
• Self-motivation and initiative
• Ability to work collaboratively as a team member
• Computer software experience, including word processing, databases, and spreadsheets
• Ability to lift materials up to 35 lbs.
• Professional appearance

OTHER INFORMATION
• This position works on-site in Ames Monday through Friday.
• A flexible schedule may be required on occasion to assist with an event or special project or to attend a professional meeting during evening, weekend, or holiday hours.

SALARY RANGE
$46,000 – $56,000 annually, commensurate with experience

BENEFITS
Strong benefit package, including paid vacation and holidays; PTO; medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; cell phone reimbursement; and matching retirement contributions.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications may be submitted via email to caroleg@discoverames.com and include:
• Cover letter with salary requirements
• Resume
• Three professional references including names and contact information.

First consideration if applied by March 10, 2024

Questions should be directed to:
Carole Gieseke, Director of Marketing and Communications
caroleg@discoverames.com
515-956-4602