Director, Destination Strategy

Karsh Hagan Madden; United States; Remote; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Flexible PTO and holidays

Tools and technology to do your best

Job summary

Karsh Hagan Madden (KHM) is seeking a Director of Destination Strategy to shape the strategic direction for destination partners and to grow relationships in the tourism industry. You’ll translate insights into innovative marketing strategies for diverse destinations and brands, and lead cross-functional teams across client services.

You’ll represent KHM at industry events, guide strategic initiatives, and drive client growth with a focus on long-term partnerships.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in strategy or destination marketing.
• Experience in tourism, destination marketing, travel hospitality is preferred.
• Proven ability to translate insights into actionable strategies.
• Strong presentation and storytelling skills.
• Willingness to travel 1-2 weeks per month.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic direction for key destination clients, aligning brand, audience, marketing, and business objectives.
• Develop destination and brand strategies informed by consumer insights, traveler behavior, research, market intelligence, and industry trends.
• Serve as a trusted strategic partner to senior-level clients, translating complex challenges into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Lead strategic presentations, workshops, stakeholder conversations, creative briefs, proposals, and new business pitches.
• Build and strengthen long-term client relationships while identifying opportunities for renewals, account growth, and new partnerships.
• Collaborate with Account, Creative, Media, Data & Insights, and other agency teams to bring integrated strategies to life.
• Guide and mentor strategists and cross-functional teams, helping strengthen strategic thinking and the quality of work across the agency.
• Represent KHM at tourism industry events, conferences, client meetings, and business development opportunities.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Client leadership

Communication

Travel industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing or related field

Tools

Market research

Job description

About KHM

Karsh Hagan Madden (KHM) is an independent marketing agency formed through the merger of Karsh Hagan and Madden Media with 5 decades of creative and strategic legacy with 1 unified shop!

We blend bold storytelling with precision media, PR, geospatial targeting, and observation-led strategy to help brands close the gap between how they are seen and how they are felt. Madden built our reputation in destination marketing and tourism. Karsh has spent years building brands in healthcare, banking, higher education, and retail alongside it. Together, we believe the strongest brands build communities, and our goal is to differentiate them in a world where consumers want something that means something to them.

Find out more at https://khm.agency/

About You

You're a big-picture thinker who's equally comfortable digging into the details. You're curious, collaborative, and energized by turning insights into ideas that move destinations forward. You build trust naturally, communicate with confidence, and know how to bring clients and teams along with you. You're excited by what's next in travel and tourism-and you're always looking for the opportunity others might not see yet.

About the Job

As our Director of Destination Strategy, you'll play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of our destination partners while helping grow and strengthen our relationships within the tourism industry.

You’ll serve as a trusted advisor to senior-level clients, developing a deep understanding of their destinations, audiences, business goals, and challenges and translating those insights into smart, innovative marketing strategies. From brand positioning and audience insights to integrated campaigns and long-term destination growth, you’ll help partners identify opportunities and turn complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies.

This role blends destination and brand strategy, client leadership, consumer insights, account growth, and business development. You’ll lead strategic initiatives for key partners, collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, and help identify opportunities to expand existing relationships and develop new ones.

You’ll also represent KHM within the tourism community, building meaningful industry relationships and staying closely connected to the trends, traveler behaviors, and opportunities shaping destination marketing.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead strategic direction for key destination clients, aligning brand, audience, marketing, and business objectives.
• Develop destination and brand strategies informed by consumer insights, traveler behavior, research, market intelligence, and industry trends.
• Serve as a trusted strategic partner to senior-level clients, translating complex challenges into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Lead strategic presentations, workshops, stakeholder conversations, creative briefs, proposals, and new business pitches.
• Build and strengthen long-term client relationships while identifying opportunities for renewals, account growth, and new partnerships.
• Collaborate with Account, Creative, Media, Data & Insights, and other agency teams to bring integrated strategies to life.
• Guide and mentor strategists and cross-functional teams, helping strengthen strategic thinking and the quality of work across the agency.
• Represent KHM at tourism industry events, conferences, client meetings, and business development opportunities.
• Travel approximately 1-2 weeks per month to meet with partners, attend industry events, and support business development.

What You Need to Succeed

• 8+ years of experience in strategy, destination marketing, brand strategy, account planning, marketing, consulting, or a related field.
• Experience in tourism, destination marketing, travel, hospitality, or a related industry strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic initiatives and serving as a trusted advisor to senior-level clients.
• Strong understanding of brand strategy, consumer behavior, audience insights, research, and integrated marketing.
• Proven ability to turn research, data, and complex business challenges into clear strategic recommendations.
• Strong presentation, storytelling, writing, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience collaborating across disciplines and mentoring or leading strategists and cross-functional teams.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to identify opportunities for client, account, and business growth.
• Curious, collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-moving agency environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 1-2 weeks per month.
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, business, psychology, communications, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will also be considered.

What You’ll Bring to the Role

You're someone who can zoom out to see the big picture and then turn that vision into a strategy people can actually use. You're naturally curious about destinations, travelers, culture, and what motivates people to choose one experience over another.

You're equally comfortable digging into research, leading a client workshop, presenting a bold strategic recommendation, collaborating with creative and media teams, or building relationships at an industry event. Most importantly, you know great strategy isn't just about producing a smart deck-it's about helping clients make better decisions and creating work that moves their destination forward.

Don't Meet Every Requirement?

That's okay! At Karsh Hagan Madden, we believe diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences make us stronger. If this role excites you but your skillset doesn't line up perfectly with the qualifications above, we still want to hear from you. Who knows-you might bring something to the table we didn't even know we needed.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Medical, dental, vision, and additional benefits to support you and your family.
• 401(k) with Traditional and Roth options, plus a company match.
• Flexible PTO and paid holidays.
• The tools and technology you need to do your best work.

Come for the Work. Stay for the People

• At Karsh Hagan Madden, we're passionate about doing great work-and having fun while we do it. Here's what you can expect:
• A supportive team that's invested in your success.
• Opportunities to grow through mentorship, professional development, and meaningful new challenges.
• A collaborative culture where curiosity, creativity, and fresh ideas are always welcome.
• The chance to make an impact, contribute your unique perspective, and help shape great work.
• A workplace that values who you are, the ideas you share, and your potential to grow.

About the Interview Process

We like to keep it simple and transparent. Here's what the process may look like:

Round 1

A friendly chat with our Recruiter to get to know you and share more about the role.

Round 2

An interview with some of the awesome teammates you'll collaborate with.

Round 3

A conversation with the Team Lead(s) to dive deeper into the role and team fit.

Note: Depending on the position, there might be a small assignment along the way to showcase your skills and creativity. Don't worry-we'll let you know in advance!

Heads up: At this time, we do not offer Visa sponsorship or relocation services.

KHM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #LI-REMOTE