Destination Development Specialist

Tourism Richmond; Richmond; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid extended benefits

Vacation time (3 weeks)

Flex days

Year end time off

Professional development

RRSP matching

Health Spending Account

Wellness Benefit Program

Job summary

Tourism Richmond in Richmond, BC, is seeking a Destination Development Specialist to lead destination and experience development projects, driving planning through implementation across multiple partners.

You will manage budgets, monitor KPIs, engage tourism partners and community groups, and represent Tourism Richmond at meetings and events. The role supports regenerative tourism and collaborative industry initiatives with a hybrid in-office schedule.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in tourism, destination management, community or economic development, planning, business administration, project management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two to four years of related experience in tourism, destination or community development, project or program coordination, partner engagement, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing and executing multi-partner projects, programs, events, or community initiatives from initiation through completion.
• Experience with partner consultation, report preparation, budget tracking, project monitoring, and project administration.

Responsibilities

• Lead assigned destination and experience development projects and programs identified through Tourism Richmond’s plans—from initiation and detailed planning through implementation, monitoring, and close-out.
• Contribute to a dynamic portfolio of projects, including Tourism Richmond’s signature programs and regenerative tourism initiatives.
• Maintain awareness of travel and tourism trends and share practical insights affecting projects and programs.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with tourism partners, community organizations, government representatives, and other project partners.
• Monitor project budgets, process POs and invoices, track commitments and expenditures, and prepare status updates and briefing materials.

Skills

Project management

Budget tracking

Partner engagement

Stakeholder collaboration

Report preparation

Education

Post-secondary education in tourism or related field

Equivalent education and experience

Job description

Tourism Richmond is at the heart of Richmond, BC’s visitor economy—we are dedicated to making our city a must experience destination and a place where people want to visit, live, work, and explore. As Richmond’s partner-driven, non-profit Destination Management Organization, we work alongside local businesses, tourism leaders, community organizations, and the City to share Richmond’s story with travellers, meeting planners, and media around the world while strengthening the experiences, places, and partnerships that make our destination thrive.

Guided by our EPIC values—Excellence, Passion, Integrity, and Collaboration—we are not simply promoting tourism; we are helping shape its future. From advancing accessible and regenerative tourism to supporting innovative visitor experiences and a strong destination brand, we are committed to creating meaningful benefits for visitors, local businesses, residents, and our community. We believe tourism can be a powerful force for positive change, and we are here to lead that change with purpose, creativity, and collaboration.

Who You Are

We are looking for a Destination Development Specialist who is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the community and helping Richmond’s visitor economy thrive. You will bring people and ideas together, turn plans into action, and help create memorable experiences that benefit visitors, local businesses, and residents alike. If you are relationship-focused, energized by project management, and motivated to see great work through from idea to impact, this could be the role for you.

As our Destination Development Specialist, you will bring people and ideas together, turn plans into action, and help create memorable experiences that benefit visitors, local businesses, and residents alike.

Project Management & Program Execution

• Lead assigned destination and experience development projects and programs identified through the Tourism Richmond’s various plans—from initiation and detailed planning through implementation, monitoring, and close-out.
• Contribute to a dynamic portfolio of projects, including Tourism Richmond’s signature culinary programs—such as the Dumpling Trail and the Steveston Spot Prawn and Seafood Celebration—along with regenerative tourism initiatives and other experience and destination development projects.

Trends & Project Performance Reporting

• Maintain awareness of relevant travel and tourism trends and share practical insights that may affect assigned projects and programs.
• Work with internal teams and project partners to track, compile, and report on established KPIs, outputs, and outcomes for assigned projects.

Partner & Community Engagement

• Build and maintain productive working relationships with tourism partners, community organizations, government representatives, and other project partners.
• Coordinate partner outreach, meetings, working groups, consultations, and collaborative activities.
• Represent Tourism Richmond at meetings, workshops, community events, and industry.

Project Administration, Budget & Reporting

• Maintain project files, contact records, agreements, decisions, timelines, and activity records, while proactively managing project risks, dependencies, delays, budget pressures, and implementation issues within the role’s authority.
• Monitor project budgets, process POs and invoices, track commitments and expenditures, and support financial reconciliation.
• Prepare status updates, reports, presentations, and internal briefing materials.

What You’ll Bring

• Post-secondary education in tourism, destination management, community or economic development, planning, business administration, project management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two to four years of related experience in tourism, destination or community development, project or program coordination, partner engagement, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing and executing multi-partner projects, programs, events, or community initiatives from initiation through completion.
• Experience with partner consultation, report preparation, budget tracking, project monitoring, and project administration.
• Experience working with tourism businesses, community organizations, government, or a destination organization is considered an asset.
• Project management training or experience with funding agreements, procurement, or consultant coordination is considered an asset.
• A valid Class 5 BC Driver's Licence (or equivalent) is considered an asset.
• A curious, solutions-oriented mindset, with the ability to contribute practical ideas, adapt to changing priorities, and turn strategic direction into effective action.

What We Offer

Salary:$60,000 - $67,000 based on experience and skill level

Total Rewards Package: Competitive pay is only part of what we offer. Our total rewards package includes:

• 100% employer-paid extended benefits (health, dental, vision, STD, LTD, Life & AD&D).
• Time away to recharge: 3 weeks of annual vacation, plus up to an additional 5 days incentive vacation for employees who use their full annual vacation entitlement.
• Flex Days: 11 paid flex days each year, one for every month except December.
• Year End Time Off: A paid office shutdown between Christmas and New Year's every December.
• Professional Development: An annual funding allotment for all eligible team members.
• RRSP contributions match program.
• A Health Spending Account ($1,000/year) and a Wellness Benefit Program ($900/year).

Work model:We enjoy a hybrid model where all team members are in our Richmond, BC office 3 days a week. We’re all in Mondays and Wednesdays starting the week out strong together and reconnecting again mid-week and team members work with their managers to determine their third in-office day. This role may require some independent travel throughout the region, as well as occasional evening and weekend work to support projects, meetings, events, and partner activities.

At Tourism Richmond, our diversity is our strength. We are a snapshot of our community, and we serve our community with inclusivity and equity. We encourage candidates from all genders, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, and sexual orientations to apply. Accommodation is available at any stage of the hiring process. Tell us what you need at [e-mail] and we will work with you.Tips: Provide a summary of the role, what success in the position looks like, and how this role fits into the organization overall.