Tourist Development Manager

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in tourism, public relations, business administration, hotel/restaurant management, marketing, journalism, or a related program and two years of hotel management, hotel sales and/or travel agent experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.  

Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required. 

Position Summary

This is highly responsible administrative work managing a program in tourist development to ensure that implementation and prescribed activities are carried out in accordance with departmental and County objectives.

An employee assigned to this classification plans and develops methods and procedures for implementing programs to generate leads for conferences, conventions, meetings and other forms of group room business, directs and coordinates program activities, and may exercise control over subordinate employees for specific functions or phases of program.
Work is performed under the direction of a higher level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
 

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.

Exudes a positive customer service focus.

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including: integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.

Supervises and coordinates the activities of subordinate employees including interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing work-related complaints and resolving problems.

Develops editorial calendar and creates targeted, effective media pitches and editorial submissions that increases the exposure of Tourist Development. 

Assists with creating and/or enhancing the marketing plan for Alachua County Tourist Development and reviews reports and records of activities to ensure progress is being accomplished toward specific tourist development program objectives. 

Represents tourist development program when necessary, at public meetings. Meets with local educational faculty, staff, clubs and organizations, government agencies and associations to develop community relations and draw attention to available promotional assistance. 

Works closely with the local business community to communicate the Tourist Development vision and to involve them in servicing meetings and conventions and develops programs/ resources for community stakeholders to support advertising efforts related to program development and outreach. 

Develops and/or assists in development, implementation, and maintenance of tourist development programs related computer programs. 

Evaluates current procedures and practices for accomplishing tourist development program objectives and coordinates activities of the tourist development program with related activities of other County departments. 

Provides strategic direction for the prospecting and qualifying of potential clients which are essential to developing sales accounts that will generate meetings, conventions, and trade shows. 

Assists with maintaining standards of accreditation, ensuring compliance with departmental policy and process in accordance with Destinations International. 

Reports to the Tourist Development Council Advisory Board on advertising efficiencies, budget expenditure, outcomes. 

Oversees special projects and assists with new tourism product development and initiatives. 

Oversees and develops the What’s Good guide of weekly events increasing engagement, ensuring timely and equitable coverage of tourism supporting events in Alachua County. 

Reviews invoices and ensures contract compliance by advertising vendors and consultants. Conducts tourism stakeholder and consumer research and advises on emerging market opportunities. 

Provides overall creative and content direction for internal projects and for outside vendors, photographers, videographers, graphic designers, voice over talent, etc. 

Drives a County and/or personal vehicle to perform required duties. 

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency. 

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
 Thorough knowledge of current practices and principles of the tourist development program.

Working knowledge of the county hotel and motel facilities, and public and private attractions and services.

Thorough knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations related to the tourist development program.
Knowledge of computer hardware and software requirements of program area.

Ability to develop and implement operating policies and procedures.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, contractors, local business owners, and elected officials.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to prepare and organize written reports.

Ability to generate necessary paperwork in accordance with local and state ordinances.

Ability to plan and organize work and manage time.

Ability to work independently with limited review.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach and to be mobile.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$69,929.60 Annually