Marketing Specialist - Lakeland

General Description Of Class · This position is responsible for all marketing, advertising, and promotional efforts for the RP Funding Center, its events, facilities, and services. · The Marketing Specialist is responsible for managing event publicity and advertising budgets, and ...

Job description

General Description Of Class

This position is responsible for all marketing, advertising, and promotional efforts for the RP Funding Center, its events, facilities, and services.

The Marketing Specialist is responsible for managing event publicity and advertising budgets, and ensuring successful campaigns across concerts, sporting events, meetings, and shows.

The position involves direct interaction with media outlets, community organizations, event promoters, and institutional advertisers, including negotiating service trade agreements and fostering partnerships to enhance public and community engagement.

Additional responsibilities include brand management, public relations, media buying and billing oversight, group sales, and community outreach.

Work is carried out under the supervision of the RP Funding Center Marketing & Sales Manager and is periodically reviewed through conferences, reports, and results achieved.

Please note this posting is "Continuous" and can close at ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

Essential Functions

Develops, implements, and evaluates annual marketing strategies and goals to promote concerts, shows, and venue services.
Manages and monitors the marketing department's budget, ensuring efficient resource use and maximizing ROI.

Prepares and maintains project budgets, working closely with the Marketing and Sales Manager and the RP Funding Director on post-show recaps.

Develops and shares data for all marketing initiatives.
Analyzes campaign performance, digital metrics, and customer feedback to refine strategies and report on KPIs.
Creates and executes integrated marketing and advertising plans across digital, radio, print, TV, outdoor, and grassroots channels.
Creates and maintains relationships with local, regional, and industry media partners and supports promoters.

Develops and implements creative campaigns targeting promoters and show organizers to sell Lakeland and RP Funding Center as an entertainment destination.

Develops and implements creative campaigns to promote premium seating or group sales.
Negotiates media contracts and implements creative cash/trade proposals and campaigns.
Leads all public relations efforts, including press releases, presentations, media drops, artist relations, and hospitality coordination.

Enhances existing promotional initiatives and develops new marketing programs and initiatives to maximize ROI, such as third-party partnerships, new media avenues, etc.

Maintains media resource lists, issues press credentials, and manages press functions.
Writes and reviews copy for public service announcements, calendars, and promotional materials.
Develops and manages social media campaigns, email marketing, and digital promotions to drive ticket sales and brand awareness.
Creates and maintains brand voice across all platforms and external marketing efforts.
Partners with web development teams to enhance site features and user engagement.
Standardizes the reporting of digital campaigns using tools such as Google Analytics.

Develops and executes marketing plans to promote all artists and tours coming to RP Funding Center and its affiliated venues.

Supports event promoters in their marketing efforts and enhances the artist experience.
Creates pre-show and post-show guest experiences that enhance venue appeal and community engagement.
Manages internal marketing assets, including marquees, LED ribbons, posters, and ticket giveaways.
Develops and maintains third-party partnerships and sponsorships, including contract negotiation.
Collaborates with Visit Central Florida, area hotels, chambers, and other stakeholders to promote Lakeland and the venue.
Explores cross-marketing opportunities between events, partners, and the broader community.
Stays current on national industry trends and local market shifts to inform strategy.
Provides thought leadership and strategic focus to marketing communications and customer experience initiatives.
Leverages research and analytical skills to drive data-informed decisions and innovation.
Facilitates training and collaborates across departments to ensure project success.
Works in collaboration with the venue's F&B General Manager and division marketing leads.
Addresses complaints and serves as a liaison between the venue, patrons, and promoters.
Participates in mission-critical operations and alternate scheduling as needed.
Conducts daily activities, including graphic design and internal communications, in alignment with company policy.
May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
Position is designated as Mission Critical.

Additional Functions

Requires business-related travel within and outside the state, including attending industry and event-related consumer/trade functions, meetings, conferences, and educational forums.

May function as a duty manager.
Performs related work as required.

Qualifications (education, Training And Experience)

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field.

Two years of experience in marketing or advertising, with one year of professional experience in live event marketing, specifically within a sports facility, touring events, concerts and entertainment, convention center, performing arts facility, tourism, or other multi-purpose public assembly venue.

One year of proficient experience in Graphic Design using Photoshop or an equivalent program.

Special Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
Experience in photography and videography preferred.
Certification from a nationally ranked event marketing certificate program is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities


KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of marketing and advertising/sponsorship program development.
Knowledge of Public Relations.
Knowledge of Website maintenance.
Digital expertise with various digital channels, including website optimization, social media, and data acquisition.
Knowledge of website design.
Knowledge of CRM software.
Familiarity with the latest trends, technologies, and methodologies in graphic design, web design, production, etc.

Skills

Proficiency with media buying and promotions.
Analytical skills to forecast and identify trends and challenges using website analytics.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Creativity skills that inspire brand loyalty.
Flexible skill set that can be applied across a variety of relationships/situations.
Innovator with increasing per caps and generating profitability.
Demonstrated experience influencing peers and leadership teams.
Demonstrable track record of success.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS SharePoint, and MS Outlook).
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
Demonstrated skills in graphic design.

Abilities

Ability to work nights and weekends as required.
Ability to work with a wide array of client groups, vendors, and business partners enterprise-wide.
Ability to project a professional manner and appearance, and communicate effectively with clients, senior management, staff, and the public.
A results-driven leader who thinks in terms of ROI.

Working Environment/Physical Requirements

The job requires sedentary work with occasional walking or standing, exerting up to 20 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard use.

The job has no significant exposure to environmental hazards.

The job requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your email and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE.

City of Lakeland

2026 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989.

Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned.

All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year.

Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned.

Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

NOTE:
REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted.

Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis.

Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees).

Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual.

The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave.

The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan

Plan C Employee 4.52%

Employer 15.54%

OR

Defined Contribution Plan

Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.54%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan

A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.

Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual).

Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving.

All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee.

Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces.

(see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days.

Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only.

Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement.

Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking

Free while at work.

Break Periods

Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services at or

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at

01

Please indicate which type of valid driver's license you possess.

Florida driver's license
I have an out-of-state driver's license
I do not have a valid driver's license

02

Do you possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field?

Yes
No

03

If you have a college degree, please indicate the area of study for your degree. If not, please type N/A.

04

Do you have two (2) years of experience in marketing or advertising, with one (1) year of professional experience in live event marketing, specifically within a sports facility, touring events, concerts and entertainment, convention center, performing arts facility, tourism, or other multi-purpose public assembly venue?

Yes
No

05

Please provide a narrative supporting your answer to the above question. Be sure to include specific job title(s), job duties, organization(s) and the dates where the work was performed.


Note:

The employers and dates of employment you list here must also be included in the "Work Experience" section of this job application.

06

Do you have one (1) year of proficient experience in Graphic Design using Photoshop or an equivalent program?

Yes
No

07

Please provide a narrative supporting your answer to the above question. Be sure to include specific job title(s), job duties, organization(s) and the dates where the work was performed.


Note:

The employers and dates of employment you list here must also be included in the "Work Experience" section of this job application.

08

Please describe your level of experience working with Momentus (Ungerbock). If none, type N/A.

09

Please describe your digital expertise with various digital channels, including website optimization, social media, and data acquisition. In none, type N/A.

10

By clicking "Yes" below, I understand that all relevant work experience MUST be entered in the "Work Experience" section on my application.

In addition, all current City of Lakeland employees must list all previous City of Lakeland work experience in the "Work Experience" section of the application.

Failure to complete the "Work Experience" section will disqualify you from the application process.

Yes
No
Required Question