Executive Director

The Cayuga County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CCCVB) is hiring for an Executive Director to head up Cayuga County’s tourism promotion agency. We increase tourism and related revenues through promotion and research-based targeted marketing, and we improve the visitor experience by providing data and training to local hospitality industry providers. We continuously work to increase tourism and improve the visitor experience, which in turn stimulates economic growth and sustains recreational and cultural opportunities in the County.

 Job Summary:

Provides leadership to position Cayuga County as the destination of choice in the Finger Lakes and Central New York.  Develops and implements the strategic plan to advance the CCCVB’s mission and objectives.  Oversees operations to ensure efficiency, quality, service and cost-effective management of resources.  Provides leadership for marketing, product development, and visitor services.  Articulates and advocates for tourism’s role in the economic development of Cayuga County. 

 Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities: (Additional duties may be assigned)

 Marketing

• Develops and implements an annual comprehensive marketing plan that includes advertising, publications, distribution, travel shows, information centers, digital/social media, research, group sales, and public relations programs
• Manages the I Love NY Matching Funds program
• Creates cooperative promotional opportunities for local tourism businesses
• Establishes an ongoing system of data collection and intelligence gathering
• Responsible for new market development
• Interfaces with regional and state tourism partners and programs

 Human Resources

• Hires, trains, develops, reviews performance and when necessary, dismisses staff in accordance with CCCVB policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Hires contractors when needed to fulfill the objectives of the strategic plan when those objectives cannot be obtained by regular staff
• Assists in recruiting new board members and holds new board member orientation sessions.
• Assesses the professional needs of the board of directors, staff and volunteers and schedules training as necessary.

 Resource Development

• Prepares an annual budget for approval by the board of directors, and monitors the financial situation of the CCCVB, ensuring the financial health of the organization.
• Prepares financial information for annual audit.
• Applies for and obtains grants and other funding to supplement occupancy tax revenues
• Oversees bookkeeping

 Education & Advocacy

• Serves as Cayuga County’s official tourism promotion agency (TPA) with the appropriate tourism-related agencies and associations and acts as the official spokesperson for the organization.
• Provides training opportunities for tourism partners to optimize cross-selling and customer service
• Provides workshops to educate partners in areas of tourism sales, marketing, and public relations
• Maintains a high level of visibility and availability for communities, businesses, and organizations in Cayuga County that have an interest in tourism.
• Participates in Leadership Cayuga program.
• Prepares annual report
• Cultivates support of government officials and the local tourism community.
• Conducts needs assessments and assists with tourism workshops.

 General Administration

• Monitors the operation of the Tourism Office to ensure that it is run in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
• Ensures the appropriate documentation and maintenance of the CCCVB records, files, and office properties.
• Staffs and maintains a tourism office to distribute visitor information, respond to inquiries and assist with arranging tours and accommodations.
• Prepares monthly executive director’s report and reports at monthly board of directors meetings

 Minimum Qualification Standards:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Travel & Tourism, Business, Communications, Hospitality Management or related field of study.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience tourism or hospitality leadership required; destination management preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and work experience will be considered
• Expertise in all major business software (Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office etc.,) and ability to teach
• Strong knowledge of marketing principles
• Grant writing and management experience
• Not-for-profit and experience working with a board of directors preferred

 Special Requirements:

• A valid passport and driver’s license are required for local, national and international travel
• Availability for overnight out of town travel
• Availability to work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to inspire, lead, and build relationships
• Solid understanding of digital and social media strategies
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of diverse constituencies
• Demonstrated passion for Cayuga County and the Finger Lakes
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple projects and details simultaneously
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems