Director, Destination Engagement

Summary:

The director, destination engagement manages initiatives to foster relationships and drive engagement with destination CEOs, state tourism directors and members of their teams. The role involves curating community meetings and gatherings, servicing key destination stakeholders to boost retention and spearheading special projects to deepen member value, services and benefits. This role serves as a key member of the communities team and reports to the senior director, executive engagement.

Responsibilities:

• Implement strategy to engage with destinations throughout the year, including management of the National Council of State Tourism Directors (NCSTD) and the Destination Management Organization (DMO) CEO roundtable.
• Create timelines to achieve deliverables for relevant meetings. Manage creation, approval and distribution process of meeting agendas, pre-reads, remarks and visual products, if needed. Collect RSVPs, analyze attendance and recommend proactive outreach plan to strengthen participation.
• Share meeting plans, outcomes, themes, and trends with relevant colleagues.
• Learn and understand key destination stakeholders; foster and maintain relationships with over 100 DMO CEOs and state tourism directors through curated dinners, member visits, virtual meetings, etc.
• Collaborate across the industry engagement team to plan dinners, meetings, community events and initiatives to promote engagement, and work with events team to ensure strong member experiences during U.S. Travel conferences.
• Evaluate destination engagement on a quarterly basis to identify shifts in member activity. Proactively recommend opportunities for additional member touchpoints.
• Work with research department to revamp the annual state tourism budget survey, ensure high participation and distribute in-depth report findings and analysis by state.
• Manage state-specific initiatives including the state tourism director of the year award selection process, U.S. Travel Welcome Center Certification Program, new state directors boot camp and new member onboardings.
• Compose monthly community communications and targeted executive outreach.
• Manage NCSTD community listserv and maintain accurate committee rosters in partnership with membership.
• Consume professional publications to stay current on destination news to identify potential topics for consideration at future meetings and touchpoints to deepen relationships with members.
• Clearly communicate U.S. Travel’s mission, vision, and initiatives to members and represent U.S. Travel at select industry functions.

Key Attributes:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for effective outreach and relationship-building.
• Highly communicative; must possess a positive and proactive attitude with ability to provide and receive constructive feedback.
• Experience developing and implementing programs and initiatives.
• Strong project manager with the ability to think multiple steps ahead and create a thorough process to execute plans with clear goals, roles, and objectives.
• Agility to work within tight deadlines and adjust quickly to changes in priorities.
• Delivers what is promised with accuracy and efficiency in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to draft clear, impactful communications and outreach materials.
• Strong collaboration skills, working seamlessly with internal and external colleagues to achieve shared objectives.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain relationships with members and industry professionals.

Education, Experience and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree plus seven to ten years experience at a DMO or state tourism office, preferably in membership, communications or marketing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding proficiency in project management.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Mastery of Microsoft Office products, especially Word, Excel, SharePoint and PowerPoint.

Supervisory Responsibility:

N/A

Other:

• Position based in Washington, DC. U.S. Travel staff work in the office Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with the option to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays.
• Moderate travel (up to 1-2 times per month) is required.
• Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• Salary range: 120-150K
• Benefits:
  • Comprehensive healthcare package with fertility coverage
  • Generous paid leave including family leave
  • Snacks, lunches, and many opportunities for social connections
  • Transportation and cell phone benefitsR
  • Robust wellness initiatives and Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
  • Education and professional development assistance
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Last updated on Sep 1, 2024