Vice President, Communications

  • Full-time

Company Description

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. The association has 15 offices globally with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA supports policies and practices that foster a safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise ship environment for the more than 25 million passengers who cruise annually and is dedicated to promoting the cruise travel experience. The CLIA Community is comprised of the world’s most prestigious ocean, river and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and cruise line suppliers and partners, including ports & destinations, ship development, suppliers and business services. The organization’s mission is to be the unified global organization that helps its members succeed by advocating, educating and promoting for the common interests of the cruise community. For more information, visit www.cruising.org or follow Cruise Lines International Association on CLIA Facebook and Twitter pages.

Job Description

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS is a key position in the integrated Strategic Communications team including public affairs, public relations, research and digital/social media. This position sits in the Brussels or London office of CLIA and is responsible for communications strategy and execution in Europe. They report to the Secretary General of Europe with functional responsibility to the SVP, Global Strategic Communications. The position focuses on protecting the reputation of the cruise industry as a vital and responsible part of the travel and tourism sector.

The Vice President, Communications is master communications practitioner with proven experience in Public Affairs and Public Relations including the use of digital communications. They are responsible for planning and executing proactive media and stakeholder outreach for their region in alignment with the goals of the organization. They work collaboratively with their counterparts in Europe including Communications Directors, Digital, Government Affairs, Maritime and Research to ensure fully integrated planning and consistency of message across the full range of available channels and in all European geographies.

The Vice President is responsible for managing European communications agencies and contractors including directing strategy, ensuring successful outcomes of the work and managing budgets. In addition, in collaboration with their peers, they have responsibility to equip and activate local European practitioners and partners including Cruise Lines, Executive Partners and Travel Agents to be CLIA and cruise industry advocates. They will continuously examine communications and integration practices within CLIA and share best practices.

The Vice President builds relationships with their counterparts in the industry including communications professionals at the cruise lines and at partner organizations. They are responsible for budget management according to global and regional priorities. They are budget conscious and resourceful.

Candidate must be fluent in English and ideally, functional in another European language, have strong media relationships and an ability to work across cultures to achieve region-wide goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES

·       Develop and implement a European communications strategy based on CLIA’s overall goals

·       Lead and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure the strategy is across the region

·       Manage agency(ies) and contractors regionally and in coordination with other regions

·       Research, develop and pitch story ideas and angles to general business and industry outlets

·       Write compelling communications including key message documents, press pitches, executive speeches and talking points, white papers and content for digital and social

·       Collaborate across key CLIA and external subject matter experts to access content and perspectives

·       Serve as spokesperson for CLIA in Europe

·       Build relationships with key stakeholders including media, trade, industry and policymakers

·       Manage, in coordination with the Director, Public Affairs, the Strategic Communications Committee including content for in-person meetings, phone calls and email correspondence

·       Lead and train junior team members and other internal colleagues

·       Stay up-to-date with and communicate best practices

·       Help develop systems and protocols that result in efficient workflow and global integration

Qualifications

·       15+ years Public Affairs/Public Relations/Communications work experience including executing integrated campaigns to build reputation

·       Issues/crisis management experience

·       Fluent English speaker with functional abilities in another European language

·       Excellent media relations, writing and presentation skills

·       Ability to come up to speed on complex issues quickly

·       Experience working in a global company or organization or highly matrixed organization

·       Experience directing external agencies and contractors

·       Ability to interact with, and at times direct, high level executives

·       Aptitude for problem solving and bias toward action including ability to prioritize, delegate and manage teams to produce high quality work

·       Ability to read research and data to develop unique story angles across a variety of audiences

·       Experience managing communications budgets

·       Strong attention to detail and polish

·       Experience with tourism and/or maritime issues a plus