Tourism Manager (Part-Time)

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK: 

The Warren County Tourism Manager’s role is to create and manage a comprehensive program of tourism development and promotion for Warren County. The primary responsibility of the Tourism Manager is to grow tourism-related revenues in Warren County through the effective use of strategic planning, leadership skills, community assets, industry knowledge and relationships, and evolving tourism practices.

Supervision Received: Work is performed under the general supervision of the Community and Economic Development Director. Work is solely funded by Warren County occupancy tax revenues and performed under the guidance of the Warren County Tourism Development Authority in accordance with local and state resolutions and legislation.

Work Hours: This role will work up to 25 hours per week, not to exceed 100 hours per month. Remote work is possible in a hybrid work environment at the discretion of the supervisor with approval by the county manager (per county policy). Work will routinely be performed in the Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm timeframe. Some work may require attendance at evening and weekend events.

Hiring Range: This position will be hired in the range of $25-$35/hour. Wage determination will be based upon level of experience and at the sole discretion of the Warren County Tourism Development Authority board.

At Will: This position is funded at the will of the TDA board. Should the TDA board decide to stop funding a staff position, this role will not be guaranteed to be funded by the county’s general fund budget. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:

Oversees the county’s tourism efforts and assists the Warren County Tourism Development Authority with executing their goals regarding the expenditure of occupancy tax revenue

(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Evaluates, develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the current county tourism related programs, projects and activities; as needed, develops new strategies, programs, and policies that promote responsible tourism, effectively manage tourism impacts, and stimulate economic development through tourism.
• Oversees the county’s occupancy tax revenue; works with assigned finance office staff to identify remittance delinquencies and make recommendations for collections and liens to be made and carried out in accordance with county procedures.
• Serves as the staff liaison to the Warren County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) board and attends all related meetings.
• Prepares and delivers tourist center information.
• Produces promotional materials and displays.
• Oversees and updates the county’s tourism website.
• Researches, writes, and administers grants that advance the mission of the Warren County Tourism Development Authority (TDA).
• Updates the county’s VisitNC Farms app.
• Composes, prepares and analyses staff reports and presentation materials; makes verbal and written presentations to community organizations, county staff, county and town governing boards and economic development advisory boards, and the planning board; attends meetings of these boards as needed.
• Participates in the development of the TDA’s annual budget and work plan.
• Oversees county tourism-related social media accounts to increase followers, tracking statistics and implementing market strategies for social media accounts
• Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community tourism focused organizations/stakeholders, state/local agencies and associations, county management, fellow staff, tourism business owners and staff, and the public.
• Attending meetings, seminars, conventions and workshops related to tourism, marketing, economic development and best practices.
• Performs other related duties as required and necessary for the successful performance of this position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the local community and region is preferred; ability to research and understand tourism, marketing, and economic development concepts and practices; ability to research and understand local, state, and federal laws related to tourism and economic development; ability to research and understand concepts and laws related to land use and planning and zoning; must be a team player willing to take on tasks aligned with the strategic vision of Warren County and the Community and Economic Development Office; punctual and reliable; effective communicator with both public speaking skills and written skills; can work independently with minimal direction; values rural communities and are community-oriented with great inter-personal skills; eager to serve the greater public, including a diversity of backgrounds and lifestyles; pragmatic and logical, but also excited by innovation and thinking outside of the box.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Preference is for a candidate to have graduated from an accredited four-year college or university and have at least two years of work experience related to this role. There is a desire for a degree in marketing. There is a desire for a candidate that has previously worked in local government. Open to considering other combinations of education and experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, and atmospheric conditions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina; considerable knowledge of word processing and the Microsoft Office Suite; considerable knowledge of social media platforms.