DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT MANAGER - UNCLASSIFIED

State of Nevada (NV); Whitney (NV); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Travel Nevada is seeking a Destination Development Manager to advance Nevada’s visitor economy through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and grant administration. Based in Reno, Carson City, or Las Vegas, you will lead rural destination projects and coordinate with local governments and businesses to grow high-quality tourism assets.

You’ll manage programs, budgets, and contractors, applying diplomacy and data-driven insights to align initiatives with Travel Nevada’s mission of sharing

Qualifications

• 3+ years in tourism development or related fields.
• Strong analytical and data visualization skills.
• Excellent diplomacy and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Responsibilities

• Implement rural tourism growth initiatives through asset development.
• Monitor project outcomes and adjust strategies for benefits.
• Administer grant programs from review to metrics.
• Manage destination development contractors and budgets.
• Develop and implement strategies aligned with Travel Nevada's mission.
• Collaborate with local entities to support statewide development.
• Represent Travel Nevada's direction with diplomacy and integrity.
• Use project and time management to meet deadlines.

Skills

Data visualization

CRM systems

Project management

Grant management

Microsoft Office

Tools

Grant management platforms

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs – Division of Tourism (Travel Nevada) is seeking a Destination Development Manager to support its vision of cultivating a vibrant visitor economy built on exceptional and enriching experiences that enhance quality of life for all Nevadans. Based in Reno, Carson City, or Las Vegas, this role reports to the Chief Industry Development Officer and plays a pivotal part in advancing destination and product development throughout rural Nevada. The Destination Development Manager will be required to action strategic planning expertise, diplomacy with stakeholders, and effective resource management to strengthen Nevada’s tourism landscape. This role requires the ability to clearly communicate Travel Nevada's priorities and foster collaborative engagement among community partners, businesses, and governmental entities. Operating within a highly collaborative, team-based model, the Manager maintains transparent communication with leadership, ensures organizational stewardship of stakeholder relationships, adheres to defined grant-authority parameters, and partners with colleagues and grant review teams on all major programmatic decisions. Through this work, the Manager helps drive Travel Nevada’s long-term mission to share the heart of Nevada with the world through stewardship, development, and promotion of the best of the Silver State.

Proven experience and/or education (3+ years) in tourism development, destination management, economic development, community development, grant management or other related fields. An understanding of destination stewardship principles and community engagement practices is preferred. Must be skilled in creative problem-solving and a passion for crafting memorable visitor experiences. Ability to use analytic and data visualization software and/or CRM systems, project management software, grant management platforms, and Microsoft Suite products. This position may require occasional work during evenings and weekends to meet program or project needs. Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to travel by air when needed.

• Implementing initiatives that grow rural tourism-related economic development by strengthening high-quality tourism assets, infrastructure, and workforce capacity.
• Monitoring and evaluating tourism project outcomes, adjusting strategies to maximize economic, social, and environmental benefits.
• Administering grant programs, including full-cycle management from application review and guideline development to documentation, metrics tracking, and coordination with the grant committee.
• Managing destination-development contractors, program budgets, RFPs, workshops, and project tracking through completion.
• Develop and implement destination development strategies aligned with Travel Nevada’s mission, vision, and goals.
• Collaborating with local businesses, government agencies, and community stakeholders to support cohesive, statewide destination development.
• Communicating and representing Travel Nevada’s strategic direction with integrity and diplomatically, using effective conflict resolution skills when necessary, and fostering positive stakeholder engagement.
• Proficiency in project and time management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple initiatives.

Strategic Planning

Develop and implement destination development strategies that align with Travel Nevada’s goals, vision and mission.

Stakeholder Coordination

Collaborate with local businesses, government agencies, and community members to ensure cohesive destination development.

Resource Management

Excellent time management skills, including demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple projects.

Diplomatic Communication

Adept at diplomacy, negotiation and issue resolution, managing conflict and disagreement through collaborative discussion to reach positive conclusions. ability to communicate and implement Travel Nevada’s vision and strategic plan with enthusiasm, building positive participation with stakeholders.