Description
Visit Seattle is establishing a new senior leadership role to elevate and integrate the organization’s efforts in tourism growth, community engagement, and strategic partnerships. The Vice President of Destination Development will oversee a comprehensive portfolio that includes Membership & Strategic Partnerships, Tourism Development and Visitor Services.
This dynamic leader will collaborate with organizational leaders and in-market trade representatives to design and execute strategies that enhance Seattle’s visibility and product offerings as a premier global destination while fostering deep connections with local stakeholders, hospitality partners, community organizations, and the broader travel trade. The Vice President will manage three department leaders and their teams, providing visionary leadership to drive economic impact, member value, and visitor satisfaction.
What You’ll Do
Strategic Leadership
Enhance and implement a cohesive tourism development and engagement strategy that increases product and awareness of Seattle and King County in key international markets.
Provide strategic direction and oversight for Membership (including Strategic Partnerships, Community Engagement), Tourism Development (Domestic & International Travel Trade Development) and Visitor Services including the growth and administration of the Seattle Certified Tourism Ambassador program.
Serve as an active member of Visit Seattle’s senior leadership team.
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, coach, and inspire 3 department leaders and the broader team. Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and incentives aligned with organizational priorities.
Attract, develop, engage and retain top talent critical to Visit Seattle’s success.
Role-model Visit Seattle’s core values: Inclusion, Impact, Commitment, and Excellence.
Foster a positive, high-performance culture focused on service, accountability, innovation and measurable impact.
Conduct regular strategy sessions, one-on-ones, and team meetings.
Develop and oversee departmental budgets in collaboration with department leaders, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and achievement of revenue and engagement targets.
Membership, Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement
Expand and diversify Visit Seattle’s membership base to reflect and support the region’s hospitality and tourism ecosystem.
Create and execute innovative sponsorship and partnership programs that deliver mutual value and measurable ROI.
Lead the development of community engagement initiatives that strengthen relationships with residents, neighborhood groups, cultural organizations, and civic leaders, ensuring that tourism growth benefits local communities and reflects Seattle’s values of inclusion and equity.
Lead the design and execution of signature events in collaboration with Corporate Communications, Events and Marketing, ensuring each event not only showcases Seattle’s unique culture, and hospitality but also serves as a platform to inform and educate the community about Visit Seattle’s strategic goals and objectives.
Ensure that signature events clearly communicate how organizational initiatives directly and indirectly support the regional tourism economy, strengthen community engagement, and foster meaningful connections with local residents, industry partners, and visitors.
Use signature events to cultivate local and national awareness of Seattle as a premier travel destination while reinforcing Visit Seattle’s role as a strategic leader in tourism, hospitality, and community collaboration
Tourism Development
Guide domestic and international travel trade strategies to grow overnight visitation, increase market share, and strengthen Seattle’s presence in key international markets.
Support the maintenance and growth of relationships with tour operators, wholesalers, online travel agencies, and other travel trade partners.
Strengthen alignment and support of SEA Airport expansion and modernization efforts, including route development in key markets, in close partnership with SEA leadership and airline partners, to enhance air service connectivity and capacity.
Collaborate with local, regional, state, national and international partners in international travel trade strategy and program development.
Visitor Services
Elevate visitor services and meeting concierge services at convention center events.
Engage with community partners to expand adoption of the Certified Tourism Ambassador program to ensure a world-class guest experience while promoting deeper understanding of Seattle’s attractions, neighborhoods, and cultural assets
Community & Stakeholder Relations
Serve as a visible ambassador for Visit Seattle, cultivating meaningful connections with industry associations, business leaders, cultural institutions, and community-based organizations.
Represent Visit Seattle at industry events, trade shows, and public forums to enhance Seattle’s reputation as a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming destination.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Tourism, Business, Marketing, Hospitality, or a related field.
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in tourism development, destination marketing/management, hospitality, community engagement, or a related field.
Demonstrated success in travel trade development, including experience collaborating with in-market representation, airports and airlines.
Proven record of developing strategic partnerships, generating revenue through sponsorships or memberships, and managing high-performing teams.
Visionary leadership with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop teams.
Strong financial and business acumen, including budget management and revenue development.
Deep knowledge of domestic and international travel trade, air service development, visitor services, community engagement strategies, and tourism industry trends.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills; ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences.
Collaborative and innovative mindset aligned with Visit Seattle’s core values of Inclusion, Impact, Commitment, and Excellence.
