Destination Strategy Project Manager

TOPOSOPHY; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading destination development agency in the UK is seeking a Destination Strategy Project Manager to oversee the successful delivery of destination strategies, marketing plans, and tourism projects. The role requires strong project management skills, client relationship management, and strategic insight. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of experience and relevant degrees. This position offers a competitive salary and a hybrid work model.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Private health insurance

Opportunity to work on high-profile international projects

Hybrid work model

Professional equipment allowance

Learning & development budget

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in project management or consulting, ideally in tourism, destination development, or placemaking.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple projects from initiation to completion.
• Act as the main point of contact for clients.
• Manage the development of Destination Experience Development Plans.
• Oversee the design and implementation of destination marketing plans.
• Identify opportunities for new services or partnerships.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Client relationship management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in tourism, urban planning, marketing, business administration

Tools

Monday.com

Asana

MS Project

Job description

Overview

Location: UK & Ireland  Employment Type: Full-time  Reporting to: Director, Destination Strategy

Who We Are

TOPOSOPHY is a leading destination development, marketing, and placemaking agency shaping how places thrive. With projects in over 36 countries, we collaborate with governments, businesses, and global organizations like EBRD, USAID, UNDP, ETC, Mastercard, and UNWTO to transform destinations into sustainable, vibrant places that attract visitors and enhance community well-being.

The Role

We are looking for a Destination Strategy Project Manager to oversee and coordinate the successful delivery of destination strategies, marketing plans, tourism policies, and placemaking projects. This role will focus on project management, client account coordination, and strategic insight, ensuring that our work meets the needs of destination management organizations (DMOs), tourism authorities, and public-private partnerships.

You will work closely with the Director, Destination Strategy, as well as clients, researchers, marketing specialists, and cross-functional teams, to ensure that projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with maximum impact. This is a client-facing role, requiring strong relationship management, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Client Management

• Lead multiple projects from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment with client goals.
• Act as the main point of contact for clients, maintaining strong relationships and managing expectations.
• Develop and manage project timelines, deliverables, and budgets.
• Oversee contracts, financial reporting, and risk management.
• Use Monday.com (or similar tools) to track project progress and ensure effective team collaboration.

Destination Strategy & Policy Delivery

• Manage the development of Destination Experience Development Plans (DEDPs), Destination Management Plans (DMPs), and tourism masterplans.
• Translate market research and data analysis into actionable recommendations.
• Ensure strategies incorporate sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.

Destination Marketing & Branding

• Oversee the design and implementation of destination marketing plans and campaigns.
• Collaborate with creative, marketing, and digital teams to deliver compelling campaigns.
• Monitor campaign performance and recommend improvements.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Design and facilitate workshops, consultations, and stakeholder meetings.
• Engage with DMOs, government agencies, tourism boards, and private partners.
• Integrate community and industry feedback into strategies and plans.

Business Growth & Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities for new services or partnerships.
• Support proposals, tenders, and business development activities.
• Contribute to refining internal processes for efficiency and quality.

Requirements

• Bachelor\'s or Master\'s degree in tourism, urban planning, marketing, business administration, or related fields.
• 5+ years\' experience in project management or consulting, ideally in tourism, destination development, or placemaking.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Strong understanding of destination strategy, policy, and marketing.
• Experience working with DMOs, government agencies, or tourism boards.
• Skilled in facilitating workshops, consultations, and client presentations.
• Confident in budget management, contract oversight, and reporting.
• Proficiency with project management software (e.g., Monday.com, Asana, MS Project).
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English (additional European languages a plus)

Benefits

• Competitive salary and private health insurance.
• Opportunity to work on high-profile international projects that shape destinations.
• Hybrid work model with flexibility to work from home or office.
• Professional equipment allowance and access to design, data, and research tools.
• Learning & development budget for courses, conferences, and training.
• A collaborative, international team with clear opportunities for career growth