Visit Cape Destination Strategy Manager

JOB SUMMARY: The Destination Strategy Manager is responsible for designing and leading initiatives that promote Cape Girardeau as a destination for conventions, group business, leisure and business travel, events and sports.

MAJOR DUTIES:

• Develop and implement strategies to increase tourism and overnight visitation.
• Identify opportunities to attract new visitor markets, events, conventions, tournaments, and group travel.
• Monitor tourism trends and recommend initiatives that strengthen the destination’s competitiveness.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with hotels, attractions, restaurants, retailers, event organizers, Chamber of Commerce, community organizations, and regional tourism partners.
• Attends Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board meetings and serves as a liaison with tourism stakeholders.
• Coordinates collaborative initiatives that promote Cape Girardeau as a tourism destination.
• Represents the City of Cape Girardeau at tourism, hospitality, and economic development meetings and events.
• Assists in creating destination messaging and storytelling that strengthens Cape Girardeau’s brand.
• Works collaboratively with the marketing firm to ensure consistent destination messaging.
• Identifies opportunities for sponsorships and promotional partnerships.
• Evaluates visitor needs and identifies opportunities to improve the overall visitor experience.
• Encourages development of tourism amenities, itineraries, and visitor services.
• Identifies and supports initiatives that enhance visitor information and hospitality efforts.
• Pursues opportunities to attract meetings, conferences, sporting events, festivals, group tours, and other visitor-generating activities.
• Develops proposals and presentations promoting Cape Girardeau as a destination.
• Coordinates site visits and tours for events planners, travel writers, tour operators, and other tourism professionals.
• Provides assistance to organizations considering Cape Girardeau as a destination.
• Tracks tourism performance indicators including visitation, hotel occupancy, visor spending, and economic impact.
• Prepares reports and recommendations for City Administration.
• Evaluates effectiveness of tourism initiatives and adjusts strategies accordingly.
• Serves as a member of the department’s leadership team.
• Participates in strategic planning, budgeting, and departmental initiatives.
• Provides guidance on tourism-related priorities and projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:

• Thorough knowledge of tourism, destination management, hospitality, and visitor services.
• Strong strategic planning and relationship building skills.
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.
• Ability to establish productive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to analyze tourism date and develop strategic recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of local government operations is preferred.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must possess a valid Driver’s License.
• Bachelor’s degree in Tourism, Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Public  Administration, Communications, Recreation, or closely related field.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.  Sufficient experience in the field of tourism and travel may be considered in lieu of a degree.   

• Experience working with a Convention and Visitors Bureau, Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), tourism office, chamber of commerce, or municipal government.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in tourism, destination management, hospitality, economic development, event recruitment, or a related field.

Salary per year $65,179, plus a generous benefit package.

• Bi-weekly pay periods.
• Thirteen paid holidays per year.
• 96 hours of vacation – accrued throughout the year.
• 96 hours of sick leave – accrued throughout the year.
• 2 days of personal leave per fiscal year. Must be employed on July 1 of the fiscal year to receive.
• City paid monthly premiums for health and dental insurance – Employee only.
• City paid monthly life insurance for employee only (1 times annual salary up to $50,000).
• Optional group term life insurance purchased at employee’s expense.
• Optional vision insurance purchased at employee’s expense.
• Voluntary deferred compensation plan – not matched by the City.
• Retirement (LAGERS) paid by the City. Missouri LAGERS – A Secure Retirement for All (molagers.org).
• Total compensation value (Salary starting rate plus benefits value) for this position is $86,484 yearly.

Before final appointment, successful applicant will be required to successfully complete a drug test, background investigation and pre-employment physical and psychiatric evaluation.

The City of Cape Girardeau reserves the right to notify only those individuals selected for an interview as to their status of their application for employment. EOE/ADA/M/F/V