Host Engagement & Communications Manager - Dollywood Parks & Resorts - Exempt

At Dollywood Parks & Resorts, we create memories worth repeating. We do this every day across all properties, all located in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Ask anyone who has visited Dollywood Parks & Resorts, and they will tell you this place is different. It's not a difference that you can touch or see - it's a difference you can feel. We are seeking a Host Engagement & Communications Manager who will embody the heart and soul of our mission of creating memories worth repeating while bringing families closer together and caring deeply about our brand. This person also brings a spirit of fun, authenticity, collaboration, creativity, and genuine hospitality to the lives of our guests.

We want to work alongside someone who acts as an extension of our mission, values, and culture. This individual is driven to create meaningful experiences for our Hosts, guests, and community while ensuring the success and profitability of our unique offerings. They also bring fun, authenticity, collaboration, creativity, and genuine hospitality to their life and work. We seek an individual who can bring the vision of the resorts to life. The right Host Engagement & Communications Manager checklist will include equal parts curious learner, innovator, administrator, detail driver, mentor, and motivator.

This role exists to assist our organization in creating and maintaining a positive work environment where Hosts feel valued, motivated, connected, and engaged. The Engagement & Communications Manager will design and implement Host engagement programs using data from engagement surveys. Host engagement programs may include but are not limited to events, workshops, and recognition initiatives. The Engagement & Communications Manager will drive effective communication by keeping Hosts informed by leveraging various communication channels. Success and effectiveness will be measured through survey results, engagement, and retention of Hosts.

This role also provides supervision to staff. The ideal candidate will drive Host engagement and retention efforts and ensure exceptional Host experience initiatives through inventiveness, imagination, and resourcefulness. The ideal candidate will be able to display and live out Lead with Love qualities, strongly rooted in the Dollywood Company culture, by being patient, kind, trusting, unselfish, truthful, forgiving, dedicated and accountable.

Additionally, the ideal candidate will be able display and live out Lead with Love qualities, strongly rooted in the Dollywood Company culture, by being patient, kind, trusting, unselfish, truthful, forgiving, dedicated and accountable.

Summary of Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Build an employee-centric workplace culture that puts employee engagement, well-being, and feedback as the top priorityAnalyze data related to Host engagement and retention to create actionable recommendations for continuous improvementCreatively implement effective engagement solutionsDrive and implement effective communication strategies that build employee loyalty programs and brand awarenessDevelop programs and strategies to foster heightened engagement and a positive work environment to ensure employee engagementOversee communication programs, both internal and external, that effectively describe and promote the organization and its hiring and retention effortsResearch and secure venues, plan and manage our events calendar, negotiate quotes and agreements with vendors, assist with event marketing, monitor timeframes and budgets, network, and deliver on event brief objectivesManage and oversee the employee recognition program, and organize employee special events, such as team building, leadership events, holiday events, company outings, and moreProvide supervision to communications staffAssemble creative and innovative event attractions based on internal capabilities or outsourced to qualified vendorsDevelop and manage all Host appreciation events at all propertiesPrepare presentations and / or speeches geared toward employee engagementCreate, develop, and implement event plans and conceptsDevelop and recommend the budget, marketing plans, and objectives and within approved plansOversight of print and online advertising, website management and content development, press releases, corporate videos, and marketing collateralSupervise, train, and collaborate with event staff, to solicit and book banquet and catering functions as well as the planning, merchandising, and execution of the functionsUpdate senior management, develop event feedback surveys, and create post-event reports and branded newsletter contentDevelop and manage companywide events calendar for all Host events such as Moments of Truth, Share-It-Forward, Blue Ribbon Awards, and President Team initiativesManage and supervise Leadership U events provided to leaders across all propertiesMust utilize technology solutions for project managementProvide leadership to the HR teamsRoutinely serve as the Person in Charge of HR OperationsMust be a confident communicator and presenterStrong writing, editing, proofreading, layout and design, and professional printing / publishing skills are essential, including the ability to present concepts verballyMust have a proven track record of strong people management skillsExcellent organizational and planning skillsSuperior project management and time management skillsMust have a wide degree of creativity and latitudeMust possess a strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in digital media / social mediaSelf-motivation coupled with a positive and professional approach to management is imperativeOversee all internal and external communications for the HR department, ensuring its message is consistent and engagingBudget development and cost trackingDrive and implement effective communication strategies that build employee loyalty programs and brand awarenessSupervise the Communications TeamWork with the marketing department to generate new ideas and strategiesMust have experience with multi-media and the ability to oversee video and photography specialistsAbility to write content outlines is a plusAbility to write scripts and develop detailed storyboards to accurately capture our brand message in multiple forms of mediaManagement reserves the right to change and / or add to these duties at any time

Education and Experience Required

Must be at least 18 years of ageBachelor's Degree in a related field (public relations, communications, or hospitality) preferredProject management experienceProfessional in Human Resources (PHR) certification or Society for Human Resource Management Professional Certification (SHRM-CP) preferredPrior experience producing, managing, or directing large-scale events is requiredMust have strong leadership skills, be highly organized, with strong time management and interpersonal skillsMust have a strong understanding of risk management, resourcefulness, and problem solvingKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Able to make a friendly impression when speaking to or corresponding with guests, vendors, and other employeesMust reflect Dollywood's image by being genuinely friendly and caring and by taking pride in workMust be self-motivated and disciplinedMust be able to prioritize and complete work assignments on a timely basisMust maintain strict confidentiality and judgment regarding privileged informationMust be committed to continuous improvementMust maintain a professional appearance with good personal hygieneMust promote and support a "team" work environment by cooperating and helping co-workersMust be productive in a fast-paced, dynamic environmentMust maintain dependable work attendance and flexibility with assigned work schedules including any required overtime, evenings, weekends and holidaysMust be sensitive to the needs of our Guests and feel empowered to act to meet their needs within company guidelinesMust be able to utilize effective communication, problem solving, conflict management and interpersonal skillsMust show appreciation of othersAble to get along with other employees to work out problems and resolve conflictsAble to comprehend instructions and retain informationAble to perform duties consistently with creating a safe and secure environment for Hosts and guestsAble to be flexible and handle frequent changes in prioritiesAble to add, subtract, multiply, and divide with accuracyAble to communicate effectively using standard English grammar and punctuationAble to tolerate various temperatures while working indoors and outdoorsAble to meet the physical demands of the jobAble to lift up to 25 lbs

The Dollywood Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. The Dollywood Company drives a welcoming culture where ideas and decisions from all people support our efforts to be relevant in an ever-changing world.