Director, Experience Development - Ottawa, Canada - Tourism Industry Association of Ontario

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario

Verified Company

Ottawa, Canada

1 week ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Company Summary:

_Ottawa Tourism is located and operates on the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin people, who have travelled and inhabited these lands for millennia.

Location: Ottawa, Ontario (Hybrid)

Date Posted: 12 Mar 2024
Closing Date: 25 Mar 2024

How to apply:
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Category: Manager

Ottawa Tourism's vision is to be one of Canada's most visited, sustainable, vibrant, and valued urban destinations and the tourism authority for key economic development and city-building decisions in Ottawa.

Ottawa Tourism's mission is to market and sell Ottawa as a compelling leisure and business destination and lead or participate in initiatives that improve Ottawa's visitor experience.

We contribute to the broader economic development objectives of the city and the success of our stakeholders and, by doing so, enrich the quality of life for all Ottawa residents.

Reporting to the Vice President, Destination Development, the Director, Experience Development will pursue opportunities with the objective of long-term sustainable development of Ottawa as a destination, strengthening the visitor experience in Ottawa, and building community support and awareness of tourism initiatives.

As a key leader and contributor on the Destination Development team, the Director, Experience Development is expected to make decisions and act independently, and to possess a high degree of leadership.

The Director, Experience Development will develop and execute projects supporting Ottawa's effective development as a destination and advance the progress of Ottawa's Destination Stewardship Plan.

Among other duties, Director, Experience Development will support the Vice President, Destination Development in strategic projects such as downtown revitalization, events to mark the 200th anniversary of Ottawa (originally known as Bytown), visitor dispersal, experiences to underscore inclusive tourism (including accessible tourism and development of key niche markets), and other economic development-oriented projects.

Key Competencies

Ability to manage complexity, think creatively, and problemsolve in a fastpaced and challenging organizational setting.
Demonstrate the highest level of emotional intelligence and selfawareness.
Demonstrated experience in translating organizational goals into actionable initiatives
High level of independent learning and the ability to act autonomously with a high level of judgment.
Keen sense of diplomacy and ability to navigate a broad range of stakeholder expectations while maintaining focus and resourcing on Ottawa Tourism priorities

Primary Areas of Responsibility:

Economic Development and Visitor Experience as Economic Driver:

In partnership with the City of Ottawa, develop and execute a comprehensive 200th anniversary product development strategy for Ottawa as a travel destination, aligning with the organization's mission and objectives, with strong emphasis on stewardship goals.
Review and build in product development strategy within key organizational strategic and business plans and areas of growth.
Stay informed about industry trends and incorporate new and exciting elements into the product development strategy.
Identify and implement strategies to enhance the overall visitor experience in Ottawa, including but not limited to cultural events, historical tours, culinary events, and outdoor activities.

Community Engagement:

Collaborate with local stakeholders, businesses, and cultural institutions to curate authentic and memorable experiences that also align with stewardship objectives.
Prepare and execute stakeholder presentations around product development planning, with the objectives of reporting on projects as well as securing buyin from key stakeholders.
Manage and drive deliverables through stakeholder groups such as steering committees and consultations surrounding product development projects.

Product Development & Strategy:

Proactively build partnerships with destination experience providers, ensuring wellresearched outreach and recruitment of new partners.
Identify grant funding opportunities, prepare and execute grant proposals, and navigate the submission process to secure financial support for experience development initiatives, and oversee reporting and milestone delivery for projects.
Develop and manage the experience development budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources, tracking expenditures and overall financial management.
Drive innovation in showcasing Ottawa by introducing new concepts, events, and experiences that set the destination apart in the market.

Desired Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Tourism, Marketing, Business or education in a relevant discipline

years of relevant experience

Excels in strategic thinking and innovative practices. Ability to think at both the tactical and strategic levels, depending on project and circumstances; abili