Communications Specialist

Position Summary

The Hodges Partnership seeks a creative and highly motivated communicator to help showcase and advance Virginia’s rich distilling heritage and its modern craft spirits industry. The position will help to give voice to the commonwealth’s growing spirits industry from grain to glass.

The Communications Specialist leads earned media efforts and assists with content development for the Virginia Spirits Board Marketing Office (VSBMO) with a focus on Virginia’s craft spirits sector. This role requires a strategic, media-savvy communicator who can cultivate and sustain relationships with journalists, influencers, editorial departments and potential content partners; secure meaningful media placements across regional, national and trade outlets; and align storytelling opportunities with the VSBMO’s broader brand goals. The specialist will manage editorial planning and media events and produce strategic media plans that drive visibility and engagement. The specialist also will contribute to brand storytelling, event logistics and digital content development to promote the Virginia spirits industry statewide.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Media Planning

• Collaborate with the VSB team to develop media relations plans that support brand positioning, marketing goals and tourism/economic development priorities
• With input and advice from the Hodges Media Relations team, lead the execution of strategic PR campaigns across state and regional, consumer, travel, beverage trade and business media
• Coordinate paid media partnerships as needed
• Analyze media performance and adjust plans based on outcomes and industry trends
• Prepare industry representatives for media interviews

Media Relations, Story Development and Execution

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with regional, national and trade media – including journalists, editors, freelancers and content creators
• Manage the creation and distribution of press releases and other public relations content
• Coordinate interview opportunities and provide media support to VSBMO staff and partners
• Proactively pitch stories to align with editorial calendars, trends, and VSBMO priorities, leveraging VSBMO campaigns, events and pertinent industry news
• Coordinate media visits to Virginia distilleries and events
• Coordinate media events including distillery tours, FAM tours and other inbound media opportunities
• Maintain and regularly update a targeted media contact database

Key Content Development Responsibilities

• Research and draft monthly consumer-facing blog and social media content; assist with additional editorial writing and storytelling projects
• Conduct background research to support social media planning and website updates
• Research Virginia spirits history and explore new opportunities for brand storytelling
• Collect and create photography and video content to support VSBMO’s marketing efforts across multiple channels, i.e., collaborate with local distilleries and restaurants
• Lead projects to develop engaging social media content that tells the story of the Virginia Spirits brand

Key Event Support Responsibilities

• Contribute to the planning and execution of VSBMO-sponsored events and third-party events in which the VSBMO participates
• Represent the Virginia Spirits industry at VSBMO-sponsored events and at third-party events in which the VSBMO participates

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing or related field
• 2-5 years of experience in public/media relations, marketing or agency account management, ideally with experience in travel, tourism, food & beverage or hospitality sectors
• Demonstrated experience pitching to national, regional and trade media
• Demonstrated experience creating social media content telling the story of a brand, product or service
• Strong writing and editing capabilities; become a storyteller with the ability to translate complex brand messages into compelling narratives both for media and owned content
• Proficiency in media databases and CRM platforms (e.g., Muck Rack, Cision)
• Familiarity with social media scheduling and analytics platforms
• Excellent project management/organizational skills and ability to pivot when priorities change
• Ability to work collaboratively on a team and independently in a fast-paced environment
• Comfort with interfacing directly with clients, media and stakeholders
• Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50 pounds and meet other physical requirements to assist with event execution
• Possess a creative mindset with the ability to approach problem solving from unique and different perspectives

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Experience planning and hosting media events, FAM tours and influencer campaigns
• Existing relationships with travel and beverage trade media are a significant plus
• Knowledge of Virginia tourism and/or the adult beverage industry
• Experience managing content creator partnerships
• Familiarity with analytics tools to measure media coverage impact

Travel Requirements

• Up to 40% travel to Virginia distilleries and industry events (primarily within the commonwealth); possible out-of-state travel to conferences and industry meetings

To apply

Still with us? Great! If this sounds up your alley, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your resume to careers@hodgespart.com. Applications due Friday, Aug. 7. And while you’re at it, answer the following: If I were a cocktail, I would be a ___________________ because ________________.