The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Visitor and Convention Bureau is looking to hire an Executive Director.

Organization Description:  The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce is the leading business organization in Beaufort County, South Carolina.  Tourism is the largest private- sector economic engine in Beaufort County.  The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce serves as the tourism destination marketing organization for Northern Beaufort County, the City of Beaufort and the Town of Port Royal in South Carolina.    The organization is a 501 (c) 6 member organization with about 800 members.

About the tourism product:  Beaufort, Port Royal and the Sea Islands attract about 550,000 visitors a year.  The primary attractions include historic old homes, arts, the Gullah culture, Revolutionary and Civil War history and the natural beauty of the largest estuary on the East Coast.

Reports to:  President

Support to: VCB and all councils, committees and task forces pertaining to tourism

Staff reporting to this position:  tourism marketing assistant, VC manager

Primary Role:  To manage and execute the activities related to the Beaufort Regional Chamber’s position as the designated marketing organization (DMO) for Northern Beaufort County, the City of Beaufort and the Town of Port Royal and to fulfill the mission and vision of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Visitor and Convention Bureau as the premiere small-town destination in the Southeast through marketing and promoting the area and to enhance the visitor experience when here. 

The objective is to increase the tourism and hospitality industry in the area by marketing and promoting Beaufort, Port Royal and the Sea Islands.

Duties include:

Strategic planning:

·         Developing and implementing marketing plans consistent with the responsibilities as DMO and as approved by the VCB Board.  Marketing plans should include advertising, public relations and other means i.e. web and on-line.

·         Develop and achieve annual operating budgets for tourism and the visitor center in conjunction with senior staff and as approved by the VCB and Chamber boards.

·         Identify and pursue private revenues sources for marketing and the visitor center in conjunction with the Chamber’s sales team.

Day-to-day

·         Manage and supervise VCB and visitor Center staff.

·         Identify and track metrics that measure success of marketing and advertising, including conversion rates.

·         Manage development and production of tourism-related collateral, including but not limited to, visitor guides, maps, rack cards, pamphlets, etc.

·         Manage website development, including SEO

·         Manage fulfillment of information requests

·         Grant writing

·         Develop and implement industry support programs

·         Enhance and maintain community trust

·         Enhance and build partnerships, i.e. co-op advertising, festival support

Board management

·         Support VCB board

·         Oversee committees and task forces affiliated with tourism

Member Relations

The ED will be expected to provide support for and attend events outside of the normal workday including but not limited to, breakfast meetings, Business After Hours, receptions and dinners and festivals.  Additionally, all staff participates in the member retention program.  For member relations activities, the ED is to seek out, network and assist members in tourism and hospitality.

Qualifications

·         A minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in tourism, hospitality or business-related field.

·         At least five years’ experience in a marketing, advertising, public relations and/or tourism management position which provides a background to take on this leadership role.

·         Background in digital marketing and current tools and trends.

·         Must possess a good public image and be an effective public speaker.

·         Strong communicator, both written and verbally.

·         An effective motivator, negotiator, and consensus builder.

·         Demonstrated ability to forge and effectively work in partnerships and alliances.

·         Strong work ethic and organizational skills

Those interested in applying for the position, please send resume via e-mail to jobs@beaufortsc.org no later than noon on November 6.  No resumes will be accepted after the deadline.  Candidates chosen to interview will be notified the week of November 9.  Candidates should prepare for an in-person interview in Beaufort on November 16.