Title: 517 - Director of Convention & Visitor's Bureau and Office of Space Commerce
Organization: Convention and Tourism CVB
Department: Convention & Visitor's Bureau and Office of Space Commerce
Location: Communications and Marketing Complex
Rate of Pay: $88,867.58 – $141,868.23 DOQ
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Job Summary
The Director is responsible for leading a comprehensive strategy to advance the City’s economic growth by positioning it as a premier destination for commercial space investment and tourism. This role involves developing targeted business recruitment initiatives, creating and executing strategic marketing and sales campaigns, and identifying new partnership opportunities within the space commerce and tourism sectors. The Director will conduct market research and generate leads to attract commercial space enterprises and tourism partners. Additionally, the Director will oversee the day-to-day operations of the City’s Convention & Visitors Bureau, including the development and management of tourism-related content, promotion of local events, and the coordination of domestic and international sales efforts across leisure, group, and business travel markets.
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Competencies
• Strategic Planning
• Economic Development
• Project Management
• Communications, Marketing & Sales
• Budget Oversight
• Public-Private Partnership & Industry Engagement
• Innovation & Destination Development
• Event Planning & Execution
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Key Functions/Knowledge/Skills
• Develop and implement a strategic, citywide plan that integrates space commerce with tourism and community engagement, in collaboration with the City Manager’s Office and industry partners.
• Embrace and promote the City’s core values, strategic direction, and commitment to inclusive growth. Develop and recommend policies and programs that advance goals related to space commerce, tourism, and innovation.
• Serve as the lead advocate for the City’s vision in space commerce and tourism by aligning public and private sector initiatives that drive economic development, attract visitors, and expand community engagement with the space industry.
• Oversee the creation, strategic planning, and operational implementation of the Office, including the development of both short- and long-term departmental goals that integrate space industry collaboration and tourism development.
• Lead proactive outreach to current and prospective space commerce and tourism partners. Build strong relationships with commercial space companies, research institutions, tourism stakeholders, and allied organizations to promote shared opportunities.
• Foster economic growth and technological advancement for space commerce. Assist commercial space companies in their efforts to do business with the City.
• Collaborate with the City Manager’s Office to identify high-potential business areas and market trends. Develop tailored strategies to engage key stakeholders and attract new ventures in space commerce and tourism.
• Act as the City’s internal expert and liaison for space-related initiatives. Ensure municipal operations align with the needs and requirements of the growing space commerce and tourism sectors.
• Actively participate in space commerce and tourism industry associations, conferences, and trade shows. Serve as a visible and proactive representative of the City, promoting its leadership role in the emerging space economy.
• Oversee the operations of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), including management of tourism facilities, services, and events. Foster strong relationships with local tourism partners such as hotels, restaurants, zoo, museums, festivals, bike rallies, athletic events and cultural institutions.
• Organize and facilitate CVB Board of Directors meetings; prepare agendas, maintain meeting records, and provide updates on regional and national tourism trends and initiatives.
• Work closely with the Finance Department to ensure financial responsibility; develop and manage the department's annual operating budget, including the oversight of Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds.
• Coordinate and participate in educational/hospitality training seminars for industry-related employees.
• Documents calls and results and regularly reports to the City Manager with results and pipeline updates.
• Collaborate across City departments and with external organizations to maximize synergy and ensure alignment on economic, tourism, and space commerce initiatives.
• Build and maintain productive partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Texas Southmost College, and downtown revitalization efforts.
• Track and analyze stakeholder feedback and market trends to inform service offerings and strategic planning.
• Develop and maintain a personal strategic plan in coordination with the City Manager’s Office, defining key responsibilities, goals, and measurable outcomes for the Office of Space Commerce and the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.
• Serve as the public spokesperson and ambassador for both the Office of Space Commerce and the Convention & Visitors Bureau.
• Manage community board(s) and committees.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
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Minimum Education & Experience
Master's degree plus three years of experience, or bachelor's degree plus five years of experience, or associate's degree plus seven years of experience, or high school graduation or GED plus nine years of experience.
Three (3) to Five (5) years of progressive experience with increased responsibilities in business management, public administration, marketing and/or sales, including:
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Economic/Business development knowledge
• Entrepreneurial spirit with ability to remain flexible
• Manage multiple priorities and projects at one time
• Connect customer needs to organizational products and services
• Ability to see sales potential and develop relationships accordingly to support growth
• Budget preparation and management
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Special Certifications & Licenses
Valid Texas Driver’s License.
Independence & Judgement
Significant and comprehensive level of judgment; responsible for recognizing moderately complex problems and taking responsibility for resolving them; addresses very complex issues or problems with employees; results monitored for soundness and judgment.
Initiative & Ingenuity
Work doesn't generate itself; employee must decide what is to be done and when; control over priorities; constant need to find creative or non-routine solutions.
Supervisory & Responsibility
Supervises and directs a group of sufficient size or complexity to require the use of supervisory subordinates.
Financial Responsibility
Final approval on department expenditures and manages department's or program's funds in a department of substantial size for the organization either in terms of numbers of employees or amount of funds or both.
Level & Frequency of Outside Contact
Higher frequency of outside contacts.
Physical Demands
Office job with little or occasional light physical effort. Ability to exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally or a negligible amount of energy frequently to lift, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
Responsibility for Equipment & Property
Responsible for assigned equipment/property used outside of office; responsible for handing out to and retrieving property/equipment from employees and keeping inventory; use of city vehicle.
Working Conditions
Office job, no adverse conditions.
Other Requirements
The City of Brownsville requires all employees to successfully pass a Drug & Alcohol and a physical examination and a Background Check.
ADA Requirements
The City of Brownsville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.
Benefits
The City of Brownsville offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support its employees' well-being and future. Employees participate in a robust retirement plan through the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) City to Employee Matching Ratio 2:1, with eligibility for retirement after 5 years of service at age 60 or 20 years of service at any age.
The City provides exceptional health benefits, including medical, dental, and life insurance plans for employees and their families, along with vision coverage for employees enrolled in health insurance through MetLife. Employees and their dependents can also access care at Frontier Clinic at no cost when covered by the City's health plan. Additionally, pet insurance is available as a voluntary benefit.
Employees have access to deferred compensation plans through Equitable and supplemental insurance options from AFLAC and Colonial Life. Full-time employees accrue 10 sick days and 15 vacation days annually.
The City offers parental leave concurrent with FMLA for eligible employees, longevity pay, and 100% tuition assistance up to $5,000 annually. Furthermore, Brownsville observes 14 holidays per year, plus two floating holidays, giving employees a balanced and rewarding work-life experience.
Starting in fiscal year 2025, employees will have access to flexible scheduling options as part of our commitment to work-life balance.
EEOC Statements
The City of Brownsville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.