Posted: Mar 10, 2026

Executive Director

Chester County Tourism - West Chester, PA
Full-time
Application Deadline: N/A
Other

OVERVIEW:

Nestled in the lush countryside of Philadelphia, Chester County is a dynamic destination with fascinating histories, inspiring arts, hidden countryside gems, and world-renowned gardens. As the executive director of Chester County Tourism, the individual in this position is responsible for actively and passionately leading the team to achieve its annual and long-term goals which support its mission: To improve the quality of life for Chester County residents & workers through the economic and community benefits of tourism. The executive director must be innovative, creative, and forward-looking, setting the strategic direction for the organization. With a passion for tourism and hospitality, the individual must demonstrate outstanding leadership skills, a commitment to excellence, and a proven record of success.

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Community Representation: Serve as the key spokesperson, championing tourism’s value and promoting the destination locally, regionally, and nationally. 
  • Leadership & Strategy: Guide mission, vision, and long-term goals set by the Board and communicated to staff to help guide their direction.
  • Financial Management: Oversee budgeting, financial viability, and resource allocation for maximum return on investment, achieving 100% accuracy on annual audits.
  • Marketing & Sales: Provide strategic direction for marketing, PR, and sales strategies (leisure, group, events) to leverage seasonal/annual opportunities for brand awareness, trial and return.
  • Planning: Maintain and periodically update the Strategic Plan to reflect the constantly changing global environment. Develop an annual Action Plan with specific metrics overall and by department. Identify data for responsible quantitative and qualitative decision-making.
  • Product Development: Develop strategies and seek all relevant opportunities to expand and create assets throughout the County that increase visitation and reach.
  • Stakeholder Relations: Ensure strong ties with local partners, businesses, government, community leaders, and regional and state tourism offices, actively participating on boards, committees, and commissions.
  • Board Relations: Collaborate with the Board, prepare agenda content, report organizational performance, and ensure good governance in accordance with bylaws.
  • Staff Oversight: Set/communicate strategic direction and establish annual goals to be measured ongoing as well as through a formal annual performance review process. Currently nine full-time and six part-time employees.
  • Operations: Ensure smooth day-to-day functions of the organization, including management of the physical location.
  • Advocacy: Implement advocacy programs to educate and enlist the support of state legislators and other local leadership to support hospitality businesses and ensure funding mechanisms work their hardest for the organization.

Essential Experience

  • Ten years of direct industry experience, including over five (5) years of supervisory experience at a senior level.
  • Proven leadership, strategic planning, and financial management.
  • Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
  • Knowledge of tourism trends, sustainable practices, and collaborative governance.
  • Proficient in office software, including Word processing, presentation, Excel, financial reporting (QuickBooks Online a plus), CMS/customer relationship management software (ideally SimpleView), and other relevant programs. and data analyses (ideally Symphony).
  • Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME), Certified Destination Management Executive (FCDME), Certified Association Executive (CAE) or other certification preferred but not required.

 

Skills & Abilities

  • Organizational Problem Solving: Analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences, and implementing actions in support of organizational goals.
  • Flexibility: Adapting to changing reporting and communications styles as needed by changing Board leadership.
  • Communications: Effective and inspiring written and oral communication skills as well as a confident speaker with outstanding negotiating skills.
  • Personnel Management: Selecting, supervising, evaluating, motivating, and training.
  • Cooperation: Establishing and maintaining a variety of professional relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Ethical Stewardship: Serving the Board, employees and all partners with honesty and integrity in full accordance with the organization’s bylaws.
  • Self-Management: An innovative, proactive professional who can navigate the shifting work environment while enhancing the performance of and assuring the integrity of the operations.
  • Critical Thinking: Using logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.
  • Judgment & Decision-Making: Weighing the relative costs / benefits of a potential action.
  • Consensus-Seeking Negotiation: Positively managing diverse and opposite opinions and bringing others together to reconcile differences.

 

Chester County Tourism offers very generous benefits, including paid medical, dental and vision; long term disability, life insurance and AD&D. Starting 20 days paid time-off; wellness perks; and IRA match program. The company also offers a hybrid work from home schedule.

 

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES PLEASE SEND RESUME WITH COVER LETTER TO:

[email protected]