POSITION OVERVIEW CHIEF TOURISM OFFICER - Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau Galveston Island, TX - SearchWide Global

POSITION OVERVIEW

Galveston Island Convention & Visitors
               Bureau

       CHIEF TOURISM OFFICER
            Galveston Island, TX

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GALVESTON ISLAND

                                   The siren song of breaking waves draws visitors to Galveston Island’s beaches
                                   genera�on a�er genera�on. Warm breezes and year-round temperate seas
                                   complement the city’s rich historic districts, award-winning restaurants, unique
                                   atrac�ons and bustling shops. And though Galveston’s relaxed island atmosphere
                                   is only 50 minutes from Houston, it is a world away in spirit. At 32 miles long and
                                   two-and-a-half miles wide, the island is surrounded with incredible history and
                                   unique beauty. Known as the Playground of the South, you can enjoy all Galveston
has to offer – from beaches, to family atrac�ons, to historic architecture, outdoor adventure, shopping, dining and
cruising.

GALVESTON ISLAND CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU (GICVB)

The Park Board of Trustees of the City of Galveston, is a governmental en�ty created by a special act of the Texas
Legislature in 1962 for the purpose of direc�ng all tourism efforts for Galveston Island of which the GICVB is a department
of the organiza�on. The GICVB is commited and passionate about crea�ng unique experiences and marke�ng Galveston
Island for conven�ons, mee�ngs and leisure travel. The mission of the GICVB is to advance the economic vitality of tourism
on Galveston Island through the promo�on of mee�ng, leisure travel, special events and the Galveston Island Conven�on
Center at the San Luis Resort. The GICVB is a dedicated team of des�na�on specialists, engagement officers and marke�ng
and sales professionals who are passionate about the promo�on of the Island. The GICVB is solely funded from Hotel
Occupancy Tax and is a non-membership organiza�on supported by a high-performance board of industry experts and
local leaders. In 2017, 7 million visitors spent more than $1.15 billion on Galveston Island, contribu�ng significantly to the
$20 million opera�ng budget for the Galveston Island Park Board of which $6.1 million was allocated to the GICVB’s
budget.

Galveston Island’s tourism industry is healthy and strong, having con�nually grown for the past eight years. The island’s
most popular atrac�on con�nues to be the beach with other advantages being accessibility, year-round tropical climate
and its diversity of offerings. During the past few years, the island has undergone a $37 million enhancement at Moody
Gardens Aquarium, implemented several beach nourishment projects, became home to the new Bryan Museum, housing
the world’s largest collec�on of southwestern ar�facts and welcomed new cruise ships to the Port of Galveston.

Galveston is currently undertaking a year-long market research study to beter understand the visitor experience and
develop strategic messaging to grow tourism on the island.

GALVESTON ISLAND’S HISTORIC CHARM

Galveston Island has had a richly evolving history of European settlement for some
200 years, during which time pirates set their flags in the soil, waves of immigrants
from Italy and Greece made their way to the island, and wealthy merchants
planted strong roots. The most recorded narratives, however, relate to the
community’s legendary resilience following the devastating storms that have
ripped through the beautiful town, beginning with the infamous Great Storm of
1900.

It took many years for the island to start anew after the Great Storm, but Galveston’s economic leaders eventually
refashioned the town as a popular tourist destination—which it still serves as today. Although some of the original
structures are long gone, the stories of the early islanders and their colorful history continue to live on in both renovated
structures and new establishments created in memory of the past.

For more informa�on on Galveston Island, click here.

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For more informa�on on the Galveston Island Conven�on and Visitors Bureau, click here.

JOB SUMMARY

The Chief Tourism Officer reports to the Executive Director and is the primary driver of the Galveston Island Convention
and Visitors Bureau. They are responsible for implementing the mission, core values and policies as established by the
Executive Director and Board of Trustees. The Chief Tourism Officer will have an array of responsibilities ranging from
preparing operating budgets, attending board meetings, ensuring sound financial practices, managing the strategic plan,
ensuring a healthy working environment and overseeing revenue generation and general operations.

The Chief Tourism Officer will manage the following departments: Sales, Destination Services, Marketing and Public
Relations

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

    •   Minimum of five years sales experience at management level
    •   Strong and consistent ability to priori�ze ac�vi�es within specific �me guideline and to handle mul�ple
        responsibili�es within a specific �me frame
    •   Strong analy�cal skills
    •   Poli�cally savvy and have a proven track record in working with government, community and industry leaders in
        accomplishing mutually beneficial goals
    •   Skill and ability to write and ini�ate marke�ng and budget plans
    •   Experience in Economic and Business Development highly preferred
    •   Willing and able to work evenings, weekends and holidays based on client and office demands
    •   Demonstrated success in strategic planning of internet and social media campaigns
    •   Excellent communica�on and organiza�onal skills
    •   Ability to operate computer, fax, e-mail system and general office equipment including laptop computers when
        traveling away from office
    •   Willing and able to travel to conferences and events by various means of transporta�on
    •   Ability to work independently and collabora�vely
    •   Strong writen and verbal communica�on skills; good interpersonal and problem solving
    •   Four-year degree from an academic ins�tu�on in management, sales, marke�ng or related field preferred

REQUIRED CURRENT CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES AND TRAININGS

    •   Professional Certification or Affiliation in tourism or hospitality field such as Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
        or Certified Destination Management Professional (CDME) or Certified Tourism Executive (CTE)
    •   Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) certification or ability to become certified
            o CTA training provided by the Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees upon hire
    •   Must hold a current and valid Class C Drivers License

ESSENTIAL JOB TASKS – MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

   •    Manages, directs and trains team, ensuring department remains on task with established goals
   •    Responsible for crea�on and oversight of en�re departmental budget
   •    Oversees professional development opportuni�es for team
   •    Conducts rou�ne team mee�ngs
   •    Annual and mid-year review process for all direct reports
   •    Coaching, counseling and mentoring as needed for team to succeed

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•   Hiring and termina�on decisions, in conjunc�on with Human Resources, for all roles
    •   Conducts weekly individual Key Result Areas (KRA) mee�ngs with direct reports
    •   Ensures the con�nual professional development of the team

ESSENTIAL JOB TASKS

    •   Directs all administra�ve, opera�ng, sales and marke�ng func�ons of the bureau
    •   Maintains close working rela�ons with area stakeholders and serves as liaison between the client and these
        facili�es; conduct quarterly mee�ng with tourism professionals in the area
    •   Serves as the department liaison to the Park Board Execu�ve Management Team
    •   Assists in the development of a marke�ng plan and strategies to promote the des�na�on, Management Team and
        Board of Trustees
    •   Atends tradeshows to promote the des�na�on as a conven�on des�na�on
    •   Oversees sales incen�ve program for the sales team/CVB
    •   Oversees membership in per�nent conven�on/mee�ng/exhibi�on trade organiza�ons
    •   Serves as staff liaison to the Tourism Development Advisory Commitee and prepares all agendas and reports
    •   Maintains efficiency in the department via so�ware and technological upgrades rela�ve to industry trends
    •   Works closely with the marke�ng team in tourism related promo�onal and adver�sing projects
    •   Represents the bureau for statewide mee�ng/conven�on related commitees and organiza�ons
    •   Represents the bureau in industry and statewide tourism organiza�ons
    •   Ac�ve in community to promote and advocate on behalf of tourism
    •   May be responsible for other du�es as assigned by Execu�ve Director

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

    •   Innovative & Creative                  •   Excellent communicator                 •   Collaborative
    •   Personable & Outgoing                  •   Politically astute                     •   Fair
    •   Accessible                             •   Strong leader                          •   Open & Transparent
    •   Engaged                                •   Accountable                            •   Team Focused
    •   Resilient & Adaptable

TOP PRIORITIES

    •   Build and develop strong relationships and open communication externally with stakeholders, community
        members and city officials and internally with the CVB and Park Board team.
    •   Learn about Galveston's rich history and become an ambassador for the destination.
    •   Cultivate business opportunities in the growing cruise trade.
    •   Develop and mentor existing team members.
    •   Cultivate the Destination Services group.
    •   Guide the future group sales & marketing strategy based on the four market research studies that are currently
        being conducted. Potentially identify new market segments and geographic regions to target.

This job descrip�on describes the general purpose and responsibili�es assigned to this job and is not an exhaus�ve list of
all responsibili�es and du�es that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

If this could be a great opportunity to extend your professional reach, please respond through the SearchWide Global
website or email your resume to the following SearchWide Global Executive:

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Nicole Newman, Vice President | SearchWide Global
www.searchwideglobal.com | info@searchwidegloabl.com
480-264-7675 (direct) | 951-640-3745 (mobile)

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