About the Department
Job Description
Under the direction of the City Manager is responsible for planning, directing and managing the City's Tourism Department activities and operations, including communications, collaboration, marketing, sales and services designated to attract visitors to the City.
Candidate plans, directs and supervises comprehensive programs. Director is responsible for the recommendation of staff appointments, preparation and recommendation of department budget and providing recommendations to the City Manager concerning City events and serves on the City Manager’s executive management team.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
•Directs and leads by setting strategic direction, developing policies and establishing priorities, evaluating, integrating programs and establishing policies, procedures, systems and standards to ensure efficient and effective department operations align with the City’s goals.
•Direct short- and long-range plans to ensure effective and efficient operations, assess needs and prioritize resources to move the department forward to meet its goals.
•Implements destination management and marketing plans (written, verbal, visual and electronic communication) to various groups, organizations and individuals to attract customers for dining, shopping, accommodations, attractions, business, recreational products and experiences in Kingsville.
•Maintains online registrations for events and serves as marketing liaison with event organizers.
•Advises City staff on initiatives relating to tourism and administrative issues; reviews programs for conformance with policies, codes, contracts and laws pertaining to tourism industry.
Collect information on hotels, attractions and events.
•Stays in tune with social media, updates tourism websites, monitors online activity and produces reports.
•Plan, organize, direct and evaluate the performance of assigned staff.
•Develop and maintain strong partnerships with public and private sector interests including local jurisdictions, state agencies, and others.
•Develop and implement the department budget and oversees department accounts, contracts and financial issues.
•Directs the resolution of inquiries; responds to complaints, problems or emergencies affecting the availability or quality of services.
•Ensures departmental activities are aligned with departmental and City priorities.
•Provide guidance and oversight to ensure full compliance with regulations, standards and other guidelines related to department’s mission and work.
•Advises City Manager and City officials on initiatives, serves on board and committees; communicates with public, civic groups and prospective customers/vendors.
•Effectively summarize key information to provide relevant and understandable messages to decision makers and clients.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR IDEAL CANDIDATE
Executive-level knowledge of:
Principles, protocols and legal requirements applicable area of specialty.
Fiscal management, including budget preparation and expenditure control
Management principles, leadership and practices of effective supervision
Business systems and management tools.
Skill to:
Analyze and evaluate operations and implement corrective action
Effectively manage people, projects and resources to achieve objectives and goals
Set an overall department vision and guide a department
Ability to:
Utilize social media to promote attractions to area
Think and lead strategically and manage effectively
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with the public and stakeholders
Effectively supervise and provide direction to staff
Communicate successfully with media, public and various community and stakeholder groups
Lead by example and foster the development of employee values of public service, excellence, teamwork, respect, innovation and sustainability.
Education/Experience
Bachelor’s degree in marketing or related field from an accredited college/university.
Five years of progressively responsible management experience with responsibility for tourism development or related sales and marketing.
Two years special events coordination.
Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
The Tourism Services Director must possess excellent people’s skills to maintain an open, collaborative, and successful working relationship with the City Commission, community groups, clients/vendors, and other City management team members. The ideal candidate will be an articulate communicator, a good listener and with an ability to deliver measurable results
Disclaimer
The information listed above reflects minimum standards and illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific job functions requirements or tasks does not exclude them from the job if the work is similar related or a logical extension of the work assigned.