Career Center

The Chief Tourism Officer (CTO) is responsible for implementing and directing the mission, core values and policies of Visit Galveston as established by the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Trustees. This position focuses on continuing to strengthen Visit Galveston’s effectiveness and vision for Galveston’s tourism industry through strategic leadership, integrated sales and leisure market savvy, stakeholder engagement and collaboration, sophisticated brand management, fiscal responsibility, and a growth mindset. The CTO oversees the day-to-day operations of Visit Galveston, including preparing operating budgets, ensuring sound financial practices, managing strategic plans, fostering a healthy and productive work environment, strategically directing revenue generation as well as general operations, and serving as a liaison and organization spokesperson at board meetings and to the wider public. The CTO manages the organization’s Sales, Destination Experiences/Services, Marketing, and Communications/Public Relations departments.

The CTO is an essential part of the executive team of Visit Galveston’s umbrella organization, the Galveston Park Board of Trustees, which also manages several of Galveston’s beach parks, overseas beach maintenance and sustainability, and manages the Galveston Island Beach Patrol. 

Visit Galveston Budget: $8.1M+
Total Employees: 21
Annual Visitors: 7M+
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer, Park Board of Trustees

Qualifications

• Four-year degree from an academic institution in management, sales, marketing, or related field
• 10 years minimum of hospitality industry sales/marketing experience
• Minimum of 8 years sales/marketing experience at management level
• Professional Certification or Affiliation in tourism or hospitality field such as Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or Certified Destination Management Professional (CDME) or Certified Tourism Executive (CTE)
• Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) certification or ability to become certified (CTA training provided by the Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees upon hire)
• Politically savvy and a proven history working with government, community, and industry leaders in accomplishing mutually beneficial goals
• Experience in economic and business development with demonstrated skill and ability to write and initiate budget plans
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning of sales and marketing campaigns
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Strong analytical skills to be able to determine quality of business and best suited business opportunities for community
• Strong and consistent ability to prioritize activities within specific time guideline and to manage multiple responsibilities within a specific period
• Willing and able to work evenings, weekends and holidays based on client and office demands
• Ability to operate computer, fax, e-mail system and general office equipment including laptop computers when traveling away from office
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; good interpersonal and problem solving
• Must hold a current and valid Class C Driver’s License