Executive Director

Full job description

Discover Gloucester, the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for the City of Gloucester, promotes tourism and the visitor economy by increasing awareness of Gloucester as a destination and an authentic brand. The nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization is supported by City grants and investments from local tourism-related businesses, improving the quality of life for local residents and businesses through positive economic benefits.

Position Scope and Functioning:

The Executive Director is the face of the organization and the leader in Gloucester-based tourism marketing. In conjunction with other Gloucester-focused organizations and with City leadership, the Executive Director leads the way in marketing tourism, local events, and experiences in the Gloucester area by supporting partner venues, restaurants, cultural, arts and heritage organizations. The role requires a passion for Gloucester, strong storytelling abilities, and expertise in marketing best practices.

The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of this non-profit organization, along with a full-time Marketing Director. The Executive Director has primary accountability for the accomplishments and fiscal integrity of the organization and handling the budgeting, fiscal reporting and grant submission and administration process. The Executive Director works closely with the Board of Directors to determine the focus and direction of the organization and to execute the organization’s mission.

Key Responsibilities:

Advocacy and Outreach

• Develop and implement strategic goals in partnership with the Board of Directors.
• Advocate for regional tourism development and aligning efforts with economic growth strategies, increasing DMO awareness.
• Serve as the organization’s spokesperson, public relations representative, and advocate for regional tourism development.
• Expand stakeholder engagement and strengthen partnerships with regional entities, including state and local governments, media outlets, tourism organizations, and businesses.
• Work with Event Committee to support and execute organizational events, including seasonal gatherings, annual meetings, and awards luncheons.

Revenue Generation:

• Secure financial support from the City, State, and private sector
• Identify, expand and lead initiatives to grow revenue through stakeholder engagement, new partner development, and outreach initiatives.
• Create additional revenue strategies in conjunction with and proposed to the Board of Directors, including fundraising, earned income, and grant opportunities.
• Manage grant submission and grant administration process including reporting.

Financial Management:

• Oversee organizational budgeting, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare annual budgets with input from the Marketing Director and the Board Finance Committee and presentation to the Board of Directors for approval.
• Delivery of annual organizational budget goals through proper fiscal management of oversight of organizational resources and activities.
• Maintain and execute a compliance calendar ensuring adherence to Massachusetts and Federal regulatory requirements for organization.

Organizational Management:

• Responsibility for the supervision of operations and personnel, including identifying needs, hiring and onboarding staff and volunteers.
• Coordinate volunteer participation in conferences, tradeshows, and special events.

Marketing:

• Create opportunities for marketing initiatives in conjunction with the Marketing Director to advance organizational goals and brand awareness
• Support individual tourism businesses and tourism providers in an advocacy role to develop and successfully implement tourism marketing strategies and promote tourism development for the region
• Collaborate with Marketing Director, supporting and approving proposals, budgets, and marketing campaigns, including promotion of annual visitor guide.
• Provide public relations and promotion activities that enhance and underpin the role of Marketing Director and the organization’s brand objectives.

Board Support:

• Reports directly to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors
• Prepare agendas for both Executive and full Board meetings, and work with Chair of the Board to plan board meetings, agendas, and board engagement.
• Provide regular reports on organizational priorities and feedback to the Board of Directors, interacting with individual Board members and committee chairs for organization success

Qualifications:

Knowledge Skills & Abilities (KSAs) Required:

• Familiarity with the tourism and hospitality industries and a natural flair toward customer service and hospitality in general
• Excellent time management skills, organization and prioritization skills and a strong personal and work ethic
• Extremely strong interpersonal skills to navigate the relationships and alliances necessary for the organization’s success.
• Ability to develop and facilitate marketing strategies, including the annual marketing plan to promote Gloucester. Proven talent in developing and marketing both project ideas and products is essential
• Solid financial expertise, relevant experience in fundraising and grant writing, and ability to prepare and administer a complex budget, including grant proposals and knowledge of 1038 funding
• Strong and respectful negotiating skills to act as a fair and forceful advocate in promoting both the city’s tourism industry, as a whole, and the interests of individual stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders, including business owners, political leaders and cultural group representatives
• Knowledge of board-led, not-for-profit governance and operation; policy development and/or government relations experience is an asset
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to include reports, press releases and presentations
• Experience with and strong working knowledge of social media and website content including WordPress, along with solid skills in Microsoft Word and Excel. Working knowledge of accounting software such as QuickBooks
• Must be able to work some evenings and weekends, as necessary; must have reliable transportation and a valid Massachusetts driver’s license, as occasional travel may be required

Experience and Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in a related field such as communications, business administration, or hospitality or comparable experience.
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible administrative experience, at least one (1) of which has been in a supervisory capacity.

Work Environment:

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Work may include seated positions, standing positions, moving, reaching, lifting, pulling, pushing, conveying, fine motor for computer skills, verbal communication and driving.

Most work activities are conducted indoors but occasional event attendance may be required at events, meetings or activities which are held outdoors and exposed to the elements.

Gloucester Tourism Alliance d/b/a Discover Gloucester is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year