Christmas Island is a truly unique destination located in the Indian Ocean, 1,500 kilometres off the Western Australian coast. Known as one of the world's last great wildernesses, the island is 63% national park. It offers extraordinary natural experiences, from the world-famous red crab migration, described by Sir David Attenborough as one of the most memorable wildlife spectacles of his career, to exceptional bird watching, marine life encounters, and dramatic landscapes. Branded as Christmas Island - A Natural Wonder, the island continues to grow in appeal as an off-the-beaten-path eco-tourism destination.

Christmas Island Tourism Association is the destination's peak marketing and visitor servicing organisation. It works collaboratively with the Indian Ocean Territories, a division of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, Tourism Australia, Parks Australia, local government and tourism stakeholders to grow awareness, increase visitation, and drive sustainable tourism development that benefits the local community and preserves the island's remarkable environment.

Smart Talent is proud to partner with Christmas Island Tourism Association in its search for a passionate and experienced Marketing Manager to elevate this natural wonder on the global stage.

About the Role

The Marketing Manager is responsible for planning, managing, and executing the destination's strategic consumer, trade marketing, media, and communication activities. This multifaceted role reports to the Chair and Committee of the Christmas Island Tourism Association (CITA) and works collaboratively with the Visitor Centre and a broad cross-section of stakeholders.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Marketing

Oversee the design and production of marketing and display collateral.

Manage and distribute all external communications content from Christmas Island

Tourism, including copy, design, and visuals, across all digital channels and visitor touchpoints/collateral.

Lead, develop and implement the organisation's annual marketing plan, allocated budget, and calendar of activities.

Source and manage all partner agencies (Digital, Brand, Design) as required.

Provide reporting metrics, budget coordination, processes and timelines to the Chair/Committee and assist with committee meetings, consultation, and liaison, as required.

Digital Marketing

Lead and develop the digital and content marketing strategy across owned channels including web, social, and influencer outreach programs.

Manage and oversee digital content production, including website, socials videos, and direct marketing campaigns.

Manage external service providers for web performance, content/paid advertising.

Consumer Marketing & Communications

Work in partnership with Tourism Australia and other key tourism partners on co-operative campaigns, photoshoots and video production, visual asset acquisition and other consumer-related activities to promote the destination.

Deliver integrated (traditional/digital) and targeted tactical marketing campaigns and activities to promote Christmas Island's unique selling points to increase the destination's profile and visitor numbers.

Build a consumer database and implement regular e-newsletters.

Trade and Co-operative Marketing Campaigns

Collaborate with the travel trade and local tourism operators to develop attractive packages that foster growth in the visitor economy.

Develop strategic alliances with product distribution channels, including inbound tour operators, wholesalers, retail travel agents, and airlines to maximise the distribution and brochure/website pagination of the destination's tourism product and experiences.

As required, attend national/international tradeshows to educate the travel trade on the destination's tourism assets.

Work in partnership with Tourism Australia and their international offices to provide product knowledge, local insights, and destination information.

Coordinate and host tourism trade familiarisation.

Stakeholder Management

Nurture positive, productive relationships with on-island operators, the visitor centre team and all key stakeholders.

Oversee the association's membership strategy, working with the Visitor Centre Manager to develop member communications and opportunities.

Arrange networking events with members.

Establish a member/industry e-newsletter to keep all informed of Christmas Island updates.

Explore co-operative opportunities with the Cocos Keeling Islands to package with key trade partners.

Develop and oversee funding submissions, quarterly reports, and annual reporting.

Establish and maintain liaison with key tourism groups, including Tourism Australia, Tourism Western Australia, Australian Tourism Export Council, Tourism Council, and other relevant industry bodies.

Media & PR

Act as key media liaison on behalf of Christmas Island Tourism Association.

Develop and lead the annual media plan and budget, including production of an annual media kit, management of a licensed media gallery, and pitching story ideas both directly and via the media network TravMedia.

Proactively identify and develop new media opportunities to promote Christmas Island as a tourism destination across national and global media platforms to lift the brand profile and drive visitation.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential Skills

Experience in or an understanding of the tourism or travel industry.

7 years + experience in a marketing-related role.

Excellent computer literacy skills, including high proficiency in the MS Office Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel), Google Drive and Internet skills.

Demonstrated experience and success in the development, implementation and management of marketing and communication strategies and activities.

High level of verbal, written and presentation skills.

Recent experience in a wide application of digital and social platforms and technologies.

Research, copywriting, editing and communication skills.

Public Relations and media experience, including the successful pitching of written and verbal story ideas.

Well-developed relationship building, stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.

Well-developed analytical, problem-solving, organisational and project management skills.

Self-motivated and able to work unsupervised.

Technical Skills

Social Media platforms including organic posting, paid advertising, and reporting tools.

Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Photoshop, etc, Digital Metrics Software: Google Search Console & Analytics, Content Management Systems, e.g. WordPress, Automation Tools.

Desirable

Tertiary qualifications in marketing or a relevant discipline.

Knowledge of the tourism products and services on Christmas Island.

To Apply

Applications via SEEK should include a cover letter addressing your suitability for this role, no more than two pages addressing the Essential Criteria and a current resume.

Initial confidential enquiries are welcome by contacting Karen Priest via email at [email protected]

Applications must be submitted via SEEK before COB Wednesday, 20 August

For further information about Christmas Island, https://www.christmas.net.au/