Communications Specialist – Tourism Calgary

As the official destination management organization for Calgary, Tourism Calgary’s mandate is to:

• Promote Calgary as a destination of choice, marketing the city locally, nationally, and internationally to leisure and business travelers.

• Attract and support sport, culture, and major events.

• Steward Calgary’s destination brand.

• Lead or support development initiatives that enhance city vibrancy and the visitor experience.

• Advocate and support city building decisions that contribute to the sustainable growth of the economy while enhancing quality of life for Calgarians.

In 2024, Calgary saw an estimated 8.4 million visitors and a resulting visitor spend of $2.9 billion.

Position Description

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Communications, the Specialist, Communications plays a key role in working collaboratively across all Tourism Calgary areas of business, delivering expertise in corporate communications, media relations, and stakeholder engagement. Working with a high-performing team, this hands-on role supports content development, can execute communications plans across multiple channels, work with tourism data and craft compelling narratives for diverse audiences, while ensuring consistent alignment with the destination brand.

The ideal candidate is a versatile communications generalist with strong writing skills, demonstrated media experience, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. You excel at building relationships, and supporting cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Communications Planning & Execution

• Support the development and implementation of integrated communications plans, editorial calendars, and content strategies across multiple channels, in collaboration with internal teams.
• Draft, edit, and finalize a wide range of written materials, including media releases, key messages, Q&As, speaking notes, briefing notes, newsletters, presentations, partner updates, website/editorial content, and corporate reports.
• Support organizational monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting, including drafting narrative content, summarizing performance results, and translating data into clear, audience-friendly communications.
• Translate tourism data and research into clear, compelling narratives to support storytelling, reporting, and stakeholder communications.
• Maintain a strong understanding of Calgary’s tourism industry, policy environment, and stakeholder landscape.
• Support partner communications, including content development for Tourism Calgary–led corporate events.
• Work closely with the Communications Team to support measurable objectives and KPIs, using analytics and insights to refine and improve communications efforts.

Media Relations

• Support both proactive and reactive media relations.
• Draft media materials including news releases, media statements, key messages, Q&As, and speaking notes for press conferences and media interviews.
• Respond to media inquiries, coordinate interviews, and help prepare spokespeople in collaboration with the SVP and executive team.
• Monitor media coverage, issues, and emerging trends, and flag risks or opportunities as appropriate.

Project Coordination & Event Communications

• Support communications planning and execution for corporate events, announcements, and stakeholder engagements.
• Provide project coordination for cross-departmental initiatives and special projects.
• Ensure event-related materials and communications uphold Tourism Calgary’s destination brand.

As a key contributor to the Communications Team, this role will also support:

Stakeholder Communications & Issues Support

• Draft key messages, issues briefs, stakeholder updates, and backgrounders to support advocacy, government relations, and partner engagement (in alignment with the SVP).
• Assist with stakeholder mapping, engagement tracking, and follow-up communications as needed.

Business Planning & Reporting Support

• Support communication of Tourism Calgary’s business plan, strategic framework, and long-term tourism strategy.
• Translate research insights and tourism performance data into accessible, compelling communications.
• Assist with partner-related communications work as required.

Qualifications

• Degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
• 3-5+ years of progressive experience in communications, media relations, or public relations.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to work quickly and confidently under tight timelines.
• Demonstrated experience supporting media relations, including drafting media materials and preparing spokespeople.
• Comfort working with data, research, or performance metrics and translating insights into plain-language communications (experience in research or analysis is an asset).
• Highly organized, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across teams and with external partners.
• Experience with digital communications tools; experience with CRM or stakeholder management tools is an asset.
• Experience with video editing and social media content creation is an asset.
• Experience in tourism, government, economic development, or membership-based organizations is an asset.
• Membership in IABC, CPRS, or a similar professional association is an asset.

Working Conditions

• This is a hybrid home/office position that requires daytime availability from 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. Required in-office days are Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday at Tourism Calgary’s downtown office.

• This role requires occasional evening or weekend work as dictated by business needs.

• To work remotely, candidate must have private high-speed internet and a quiet, ergonomic place to work. Laptop is provided.

Please note, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Tourism Calgary values diversity of expertise, talent and opinion which creates an innovative and collaborative environment. We are committed to a respectful and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all qualified individuals.