Senior Director, Special Events, Film & Tourism

February 25, 2026

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Salary : $109,148.00 Annually Location : Savannah, GA Job Type: Full-Time Permanent Job Number: 2502464 Department: Special Events Film & Tourism Opening Date: 04/08/2025 Closing Date: 4/20/2025 11:59 PM Eastern Purpose The Senior Director of Special Events, Film & Tourism serves as a key leader within the City of Savannah, driving the safe, strategic, and seamless execution of the city's most visible public events and productions. This position is responsible for elevating Savannah's reputation as a premier destination for tourism and film while ensuring all activities align with the City's commitment to public safety, operational excellence, and community engagement. With a strong background in public safety, security management, and large-scale event planning, the Senior Director will coordinate across multiple city departments, public safety agencies, and private sector partners to deliver safe, efficient, and vibrant experiences that reflect Savannah's culture, charm, and heritage. This is an exciting opportunity to lead high-impact projects at the intersection of public service, entertainment, and urban planning. This position markets the City to stimulate economic development and promote tourism through special events, tourism, and the film industry; facilitates an active relationship with hotels/restaurants and attractions. Essential Job Functions <ul><li>Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.</li><li>Coordinates, assigns, and reviews work and establishes work schedules; maintains standards; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions; gives advice and direction as needed.</li><li>Prepares budgetary projections for resources to meet short- and long-term goals and objectives, including personnel, facilities, capital improvement, programs, and services; prepares annual budget recommendation with justifications based on projections and analysis.</li><li>Oversees creative message development. </li><li>Plan, develop, organize, implement, conduct, and monitor city-wide special events, including but not limited to the Saint Patrick's Day Festival and Marathons.</li><li>Develops and implements policies and procedures related to permitting of events, including tourism, film, parks, and squares.</li><li>Oversees the preparation and updates short and long-range strategic plans to ensure the department's contribution to the city's overall plans and strategies.</li><li>Resolves complex situations regarding applicants and other members of the public, frequently involving interpretation of City Ordinances, policies, and procedures.</li><li>Establishes and maintains a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity, and teamwork.</li><li>Provides leadership to the department on a broad range of issues affecting the city.</li><li>Oversees the food truck, park, and square rental and film permitting processes to ensure accurate application of permitting.</li><li>Performs other related duties as assigned.</li></ul> Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications, Public Relations, or closely related field with six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in Marketing, Public Relations, Hospitality Industry, or possession of any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. "Candidates with a background in public safety and demonstrated experience in major event planning and security management are strongly preferred." Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license with an acceptable driving history. Additional Requirements Background investigation, including supervised drug screen, post-offer/pre-employment medical screen, and verification of education, certifications, and licenses required prior to employment. Additional Information <ul><li>Knowledge of marketing theory and practices.</li><li>Knowledge of computer software programs and peripherals necessary for the production of marketing materials.</li><li>Knowledge of local media sources.</li><li>Knowledge of digital photography.</li><li>Knowledge of website design.</li><li>Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.</li><li>Skill in developing short- and long-range plans.</li><li>Skill in public and interpersonal relations.</li><li>Skill in oral and written communication.</li></ul> Minimum StandardsSUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Chief Officer assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results. GUIDELINES: Guidelines include city ordinances, copyright laws, and FCC regulations. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application. COMPLEXITY: The work consists of varied marketing duties. Managing multiple projects at the same time contributes to the complexity of the position. SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to coordinate marketing activities in support of bureau operations. Success in this position provides information concerning bureau services, procedures, and regulations to the general public. PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city employees, educators, students, neighborhood associations, members of the news media, vendors, and members of the general public. PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, provide services, motivate persons, and resolve problems. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light objects and distinguishes between shades of color. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed in an office. SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: This position has direct supervision over an Assistant Director and a Senior Administrative Assistant. CITY OF SAVANNAH EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Overview of Benefits Paid Holiday Paid Vacation Paid Sick Leave Defined Benefit Retirement Pension Plan Protective Services Retirement Plan (select positions) Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan Retirement Seminars PPO Medical Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts Wellness Programs Health & Wellness Incentives Long Term Disability Excellence and Service Recognition Employee Development and In-Service Training Educational Assistance Program Uniform Allowance (select positions) Employee Assistance Program Discounts and Memberships Employee Relations Direct Deposit Credit Union Pretax Parking Deductions Employer Assisted Home Purchase Program Domestic Partnership Benefits Healthcare PPO Medical Plus Plan PPO Medical Basic Plan Dental Plus Plan Dental Basic Plan Vision Service Plan Life Insurance Basic Life and ADD Supplemental Life Employee Supplemental Life Spouse Supplemental Life Child Benefits costs are paid by the City of Savannah, by the employee or shared by both the City and the employee. 01 Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications, Public Relations, or a closely related field with six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in Marketing, Public Relations, Hospitality Industry, or possession of any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience? <ul> <li>Yes</li> <li>No</li> </ul> 02 Do you have a valid state driver's license with an acceptable driving history? <ul> <li>Yes</li> <li>No</li> </ul> 03 What experience do you have working with or within local government or public agencies?Please include any relevant partnerships with police, fire, EMS, or emergency management services. 04 Describe your experience developing or implementing public safety or emergency response plans for events.How did you assess risk and ensure preparedness? 05 Describe your experience managing large-scale public events.What was your role, and how did you coordinate logistics, permitting, and public safety? 06 What strategies have you used to enhance tourism or promote a city or region as a destination?Please share an example of a campaign, initiative, or partnership you led. 07 Do you hold any certifications or training relevant to emergency management, incident command, or security planning?(e.g., ICS, NIMS, FEMA certifications) Required Question

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