Dena James
A strategic, creative marketing and communications leader with 30 years of turning first impressions into lasting relationships.
I've spent three decades leading marketing and communications across luxury homebuilding, real estate, hospitality, media, and sales. I've shaped the brand of a luxury home builder, built CRM systems from the ground up, and led teams of fourteen.
I combine executive-level thinking with hands-on execution: brand and marketing strategy, digital and social media, content and visual storytelling, public and media relations, and the budgets, vendors, and partnerships behind them. I do my best work in design-driven, client-facing businesses where I'm trusted to take initiative and lead. I'm based in Nashville, Tennessee.
I'm looking for a marketing and communications role where I can lead strategy, tell a brand's story, and build relationships that last.
Brand & Marketing Strategy
Positioning, campaigns, digital marketing and SEO, media buying, and the budgets, vendors, and partnerships that make them work.
Communications & Content
Public and media relations, editorial and social content, presentations and collateral, and photography and drone video that tell the story.
Luxury Real Estate & Hospitality
Marketing for luxury residential and real estate, Realtor and client support, and guest experiences that turn first impressions into loyalty.
Resort Manager
Mar 2025 – Mar 2026Managed front desk operations, reservations, guest check-ins, scheduling, database management, and customer service. Led the front desk team and kept the guest experience positive and professional while supporting retail merchandising, inventory, grounds, and pool operations.
Drone Pilot · Photographer · Marketing Consultant
Sept 2024 – Sept 2025Produced professional photography, drone video, and marketing content for Realtors and listings, translating properties into compelling visual stories for MLS, digital channels, and social media. Managed client relationships, scheduling, budgeting, accounts, and CRM, coordinating each project from request through delivery. FAA-licensed drone pilot.
Marketing Manager
Sept 2022 – Jun 2024Directed marketing and communications supporting sales, brand development, market positioning, and company growth for a luxury custom homebuilder. Managed digital marketing, media buying, social media, content creation, public relations, vendor relationships, and strategic partnerships. Developed and managed the annual marketing and sales budget, and created the communications and visual content behind luxury residential projects, Realtors, clients, and partners.
Realtor · Designer · Property Manager
Aug 2019 – Sept 2022Managed residential real estate sales, property management, client relationships, interior design services, and property marketing. Coordinated maintenance, budgets, invoices, contractors, showings, lease agreements, and move-in/move-out inspections, and consulted with homebuyers on interior selections alongside construction teams.
Sales & Information Center Manager
Apr 2003 – Dec 2011Managed daily operations, sales, customer service, marketing, and property management for two Sales & Information Centers. Supervised, trained, and motivated a team of 14, spearheaded a CRM system to track leads and improve follow-up, and organized sales meetings with division presidents, homebuilders, and Realtors to communicate development updates and market trends.
Marketing & communications
Business & client experience
Credentials
- Florida Real Estate License
- South Dakota Real Estate License
- FAA-Licensed Drone Pilot
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer (in progress)
Technology & creative tools
Adobe Photoshop · Premiere Pro · Acrobat · Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint · Google Analytics · SEO · Salesforce / CRM · DocuSign · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · TikTok