Summary
Description
The City of Durango is seeking a strong leader with a strategic mindset to serve as Tourism & Destination Services Manager. This exciting opportunity involves integrating the Tourism Division into the City of Durango by working closely with the Prosperity Officer and Tourism Commission. In this role, you will be accountable for all administration, operational, financial, marketing, and destination functions within the Tourism Division, and will evaluate the current regional tourism strategy during this transition, ensuring alignment with City and County goals.
Your creativity and innovation will drive destination management and marketing that fosters a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive tourism economy. You will be responsible for communicating the positive economic impact of tourism to internal stakeholders and the community. Building and maintaining strong relationships with the Tourism Commission, local government, local businesses, and residents will be essential as you create a shared vision for tourism in Durango.
Success in this role requires strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and an understanding of marketing, economic development, and community engagement. You have experience managing teams, navigating public sector administration, and using data-driven insights to inform decision making. Your ability to communicate effectively, build partnerships, and balance competing priorities will ensure the Tourism Division's strategy supports economic prosperity while maintaining Durango’s unique character, quality of life, and community well-being.
Essential Job Duties
What You’ll Do in This Role:
Strategic Oversight & Leadership
- Oversee all administrative, operating, financial, sales, and marketing functions of the City Tourism Division
- Overall leadership and implementation of the Division’s strategic marketing/management plan with input from the staff, City officials, and the Board of Directors/Tourism Commission.
- Alignment of Tourism initiatives/goals with the strategic direction stated in the City of Durango's vision and mission.
- Establish and maintain Division policies with the City of Durango. Ensure that all Tourism Division activities are implemented within these established policies, guidelines, laws, and ethical standards.
- Advise the Prosperity Office Director, Tourism Commission, City Manager, and other committees/task forces currently under the direction of Visit Durango.
Financial & Operational Management
- Provide direction and work with City of Durango staff in preparing the annual budget, which will be presented to the City Council, and the Tourism Commission for approval.
- Monitor budget, Division spending, and compliance and adhere to the Division's financial policies in accordance with City, County, and State laws.
- Develop, oversee, and approve contractual agreements with vendors, including lease agreements and service contracts.
Community & Stakeholder Engagement
- Develop and maintain ongoing effective communications with local government leaders, community stakeholders, business leaders, local tourism industry, state, regional, national, and international media and travel trade.
- Assist in organizing and attending all meetings of the Tourism Commission and other designated committees in an advisory, non-voting capacity.
- Represent Prosperity Office at selected local, state, regional, and national meetings, including acting as the media spokesperson and giving public/legislative testimony when appropriate.
Marketing & Destination Management
- Oversee the development and execution of marketing and promotional campaigns to attract visitors while ensuring sustainability and inclusivity.
- Direct efforts in visitor experience enhancement, cultural tourism, and outdoor recreation branding.
- Utilize data analytics, AI tools, and market research to inform tourism strategies.
Staff Management & Development
- Build and lead a high-performance team, ensuring alignment and collaboration to achieve Division results.
- Directly supervise key positions, and lead a division of 10-20 employees
- Foster professional development for staff.
Minimum Qualifications
You Have:
- A bachelor’s degree or other relevant experience, and 5-7 years of progressive experience in executive or senior strategic leadership roles.
- Knowledge of marketing, business theories, practices, and procedures.
- A track record of successfully managing teams, including recruiting, training, and staff development.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience leveraging data, analytics, and AI to inform marketing strategy.
- Willingness and ability to work flexible hours and travel domestically and internationally for industry meetings.
- Understanding of the intersection between marketing, economic development, housing needs, and programming.
- Familiarity with public sector administration, budgeting, financial management, and basic accounting principles.
- Knowledge of community engagement with strong interpersonal skills for building relationships.
Supplemental Information
What We Can Offer You:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Ample personal time off (PTO) and 11 paid holidays.
- 401(a) retirement plan and optional deferred compensation plan.
- Basic life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.
- Long-term disability coverage.
- Paid Family and Medical Leave (FMLA).
- Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Free access to the Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Hill Ice Rink & Ski Area.
- Holistic Employee Wellness Program, addressing physical, mental, financial, and professional well-being.
- Free transit pass and family member discounts.
- Reimbursement for job-related classes to foster continuous learning.
- Sixteen hours of volunteer time off per year to support local non-profit organizations.
To view the full job description, click here.
Belong at the City of Durango:
We believe in creating an inclusive workforce that welcomes diversity of thoughts, viewpoints, and experiences.
The City of Durango is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.
