Director/Sr. Manager of Destination Development

At Visit Indy, it's our job to promote the city of Indianapolis. And that job has never been easier, more energizing or more rewarding than it is right now. As an unprecedented level of cooperation between business and government boosts Indianapolis to a completely new level, we're reveling in the opportunity to show our city off. That's why we are searching for an organized, self-motivated, positive, proactive individual to join the team as a Director/Sr. Manager of Destination Development. 

Position Purpose 

Do you want to be part of the destination development team that helps plan Indy's future? If so, then this position is for you!

The Director/Sr. Manager of Destination Development serves as a destination development project manager and business analytics specialist for Visit Indy (VI) and Tourism Tomorrow Indy (TTI) with the ability to positively impact the destination development value chain; communicate Tourism Master Plan (TMP) project progress and findings with stakeholders; and analyze and convert data into business insights and solutions. All Visit Indy team members reflect the organization’s “3 Ps” culture – productive, positive and progressive.  

Key Responsibilities 
         
  Essential Functions

Destination Development Project Management - Positively impact the value chain of TMP initiatives, including advocating for those initiatives and helping implement them as needed. Communicate findings, recommendations, progress and opportunities to the VI team, VI and TTI Boards of Directors (the latter of which serves as the TMP Steering Committee), and other constituents.

• Communicate with a variety of high-level stakeholders in a respectful and professional manner
• Develop and retain industry contacts to share resources, information, ideas and experience
• Implement, maintain and communicate reports / dashboards needed for staff, board members, committee members, partners and the public
• Provide tools to ensure the team is aware of its performance to Visit Indy goals and sub-goals
• Create and maintain a dashboard for each department to monitor performance and results
• Create and maintain a dashboard for board and constituents to monitor performance results
• Present data in a relevant and comprehensible way for all to understand
• Align both qualitative & quantitative information from multiple data sources into easy to understand format that can be used to influence and communicate

Destination Analytics  - Utilize experience, connection, data and insight to direct sustainable efforts to help make Indianapolis a must-see destination while enhancing the quality of life of residents.

• Ability to determine, organize and utilize relevant facts and supportive data to identify and uncover strategic directions that increase the likelihood of future successes for Visit Indy and our city. Big picture thinker.
  • Key “Destination Planner” utilizing available and emerging experiences and data that open “new opportunities” for the City via role with Visit Indy
  • Utilizes intellect, curiosity, imagination, insight and potential application translating into improvement and sustainable progress for city via the organization. Ability to connect the dots well!
  • Lead and implement additional research to optimize our efforts and ultimate success
  • Develop strategies for data acquisitions and integration into the Visit Indy data center
  • Lead external research and case study programs with regional partners, higher education and private industry to leverage corporate capacity
• Ability to gain insights from research that inform and direct the Regional Indianapolis Tourism Master Plan

Research Project Management  - Manage and advise Visit Indy team on research programs to increase public and internal understanding of key tourism and convention market trends, issues, opportunities and challenges.

• Manage projects such as visitor profile, economic impact, customer experience, attraction and supplier performance indicators, customer advisory board, convention services survey, partnership, product development, everything better integration, etc. 
• Provide clear and concise written reports and make recommendations on research findings to staff and management.
• Communicate project direction and scope with management and others as needed.
• Manage data requests from outside parties

            
  Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, information systems, tourism, hospitality, urban planning or equal experience preferred
• Minimum of 3-5+ years of relevant experience preferred
• Aptitude and willingness to continuously learn technical skills and programs 
• Basic understanding of content analytics suites a plus (e.g. Excel, Domo, Tableau, Adobe, Google Suite, Crowdtangle, Lite programming, SQL - Python etc.)
• Basic knowledge in code writing, specifically SQL a plus

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with ability to present ideas and details (i.e. story, context, importance, correlation) effectively. 
• Integrity, creativity, imagination and curiosity; takes initiative to act upon these characteristics.
• Ability to make recommendations that effectively solve problems, using judgment consistent with standards, practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, including advanced Excel skills.
• Ability to focus on details, handle multiple tasks, and remain highly organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to interact with a variety of managers, employees, developers, board members, community leaders, and the general public, both on a one-on-one basis and in groups.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other business-related communications.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Goal oriented with the ability to perform focused work with close attention to detail.
• Ability to think entrepreneurially and share creativity and unique solutions to complex issues when necessary.

Compensation and Benefits
The successful candidate will receive a competitive compensation and benefits package based on his or her qualifications and experience. Visit Indy offers medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, a generous 401k plan, paid time off, flex time, and a host of other progressive benefits.
 
Visit Indy is an equal opportunity employer.  Accordingly, not only do we adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws pertaining to equal employment opportunity, but it is our firm policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities for all individuals regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other legally protected category or characteristic. Hiring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the same.