At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to create innovative destination strategies that balance tourism and community needs.
- Company: TOPOSOPHY transforms destinations into vibrant hubs, partnering with global organizations for sustainable growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for mentorship and collaboration on impactful projects.
- Why this job: Shape the future of tourism while making a positive impact on communities and the environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in tourism or management consulting; strong analytical and communication skills required.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to sustainability and innovation in destination management.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
About Us
TOPOSOPHY is a leading placemaking and marketing agency dedicated to transforming destinations into thriving hubs of culture, sustainability, and innovation. With a presence in over 30 countries and partnerships with global organizations like the UNWTO, HOTREC, and European Travel Commission, we empower destinations to attract, engage, and retain visitors while fostering local well-being. We specialize in creating integrated strategies that bring together key stakeholders, innovative research, and bold visions to elevate destinations. As a Director, Destination Strategy, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with global changemakers and lead projects that leave a lasting legacy.
The Role
As Director, Destination Strategy, you will lead a dynamic team in delivering innovative and impactful destination management and placemaking programs. With a focus on data-driven solutions, sustainability, and stakeholder collaboration, you will work closely with clients and partners to design and implement strategies that elevate destination experiences. You’ll play a critical role in shaping how destinations balance visitor needs with community aspirations, driving economic growth while ensuring cultural and environmental sustainability.
Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic Consulting & Development
- Advise Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), government agencies, and private sector stakeholders on tourism and destination development strategies.
- Lead the creation and execution of destination development plans, focusing on economic growth, sustainability, and visitor experience.
- Analyze local, regional, and international tourism trends to identify opportunities and recommend actionable solutions.
- Integrate emerging technologies and AI advancements into destination strategies, ensuring innovative and forward-thinking approaches to challenges and opportunities.
- Stay abreast of industry trends and competitors to inform strategic decision-making and enhance TOPOSOPHY’s offerings.
Project Management
- Manage the end-to-end development of destination strategies, ensuring alignment with client objectives and timelines.
- Schedule and lead client meetings, preparing detailed agendas and delivering actionable summaries and next steps.
- Track and report on project progress against timelines, deliverables, and budgets, ensuring accountability and high-quality outcomes.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams, including researchers, analysts, writers, designers, and other collaborators, to deliver impactful projects.
- Oversee project budgets, ensuring effective allocation of resources and financial optimization to deliver client objectives within set parameters.
Research & Analysis
- Collect, analyze, and interpret key tourism and destination performance data, producing clear and compelling infographics, reports, and presentations.
- Design and implement stakeholder and community surveys to gather insights that inform strategic recommendations.
- Conduct comprehensive data-driven research to support the development of destination strategies, including economic impact studies and sustainability assessments.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Plan, organize, and lead community and industry stakeholder engagement initiatives, ensuring alignment with destination goals.
- Facilitate workshops and visioning sessions to bring stakeholders together and create consensus-driven strategies.
- Communicate complex strategies to diverse audiences, fostering understanding and long-term commitment to destination initiatives.
Sustainability & Innovation
- Develop and implement frameworks that balance tourism growth with environmental stewardship and local community well-being.
- Innovate with data and analytics to identify trends, evaluate performance, and propose cutting-edge solutions for destination challenges.
- Lead the design of new tourism experiences, integrating sustainability at every stage.
Client & Business Development
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with DMOs, government bodies, private sector stakeholders, and global organizations to strengthen partnerships.
- Support business development by identifying opportunities to grow TOPOSOPHY’s destination strategy practice and pursuing potential leads.
- Represent TOPOSOPHY at industry events, conferences, and client meetings to expand the company’s influence and network.
Leadership & Thought Development
- Mentor and inspire internal teams, fostering a culture of creativity, ownership, and excellence.
- Contribute to thought leadership by writing articles, case studies, and insights on destination management, innovation, and sustainability.
- Represent TOPOSOPHY as a subject matter expert in destination strategy and placemaking.
Job Requirements & Skills
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in tourism, destination strategy, or management consulting, complemented by a graduate-level degree.
- Proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative analysis, with the ability to transform research insights into actionable strategies and implementation plans.
- Demonstrated financial acumen, including proven experience in budget planning, management, and optimization for corporate or client-based projects.
- A strong understanding of the tourism and destination development market, with good knowledge of industry trends, key players, and competitors.
- Keen interest in following technological innovations and the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI), with the ability to integrate these advancements into strategic recommendations and operations.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, capable of engaging diverse stakeholders effectively.
- A proactive and entrepreneurial mindset, with a strong drive to expand TOPOSOPHY’s portfolio of destination clients.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with experience in leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Quick learner with adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and meet evolving project needs.
- Proven ability to perform under pressure and deliver results within tight deadlines.
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Director, Destination Strategy employer: Toposophy
Contact Detail:
Toposophy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Destination Strategy
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the latest trends in tourism and destination management. Understanding current challenges and innovations in the industry will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to TOPOSOPHY's mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the tourism and placemaking sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and stakeholders, showcasing your proactive approach and passion for the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led projects that balance economic growth with sustainability. Highlighting your experience in stakeholder engagement will demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on technological advancements, especially in AI, and think about how these can be integrated into destination strategies. Showing your innovative mindset will set you apart as a candidate who can drive change at TOPOSOPHY.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Destination Strategy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Company: Dive deep into TOPOSOPHY's mission and values. Familiarize yourself with their projects and partnerships, especially with organizations like the UNWTO and HOTREC. This knowledge will help you tailor your application to align with their goals.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your experience in tourism, destination strategy, or management consulting. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully led projects that focus on sustainability and stakeholder collaboration.
Showcase Analytical Skills: Demonstrate your proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Include examples of how you've transformed research insights into actionable strategies, particularly in the context of destination management.
Communicate Effectively: Since exceptional communication skills are crucial for this role, ensure your application is clear, concise, and engaging. Use compelling language to convey your ideas and experiences, making it easy for the hiring team to see your potential fit.
How to prepare for a job interview at Toposophy
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
As a Director of Destination Strategy, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've developed and executed successful destination strategies in the past, focusing on sustainability and stakeholder collaboration.
✨Highlight Data-Driven Decision Making
Emphasize your proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Be ready to share instances where you've used data to inform your strategies, and how you integrated emerging technologies or AI advancements into your projects.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Management
Since stakeholder engagement is key in this role, prepare to discuss your experience in leading community and industry initiatives. Share examples of how you've facilitated workshops or visioning sessions that brought diverse stakeholders together.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Be prepared to talk about your experience with budget planning and management. Discuss how you've optimized resources in previous projects to achieve client objectives while ensuring financial accountability.