Executive Director

NYCOA; Sault Ste. Marie (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonuses

SIMPLE IRA 3% match

Paid time off

Relocation assistance

Board support

Job summary

The Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau seeks an experienced, community-minded Executive Director to lead tourism promotion and destination growth for the region in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Bring leadership, collaboration, and hands-on execution to boost visitation, support local businesses, and enhance the region’s economic vitality through strategic partnerships and events.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of leadership in tourism, destination marketing, or related field.
• Experience managing staff, budgets, programs, vendors, and events.
• Hands-on experience coordinating multi-partner events.
• Knowledge of marketing, PR, digital content, and brand development.
• Proven ability to build relationships with boards, officials, and stakeholders.
• Strong written and public speaking skills.
• Curiosity, sound judgment, and willingness to learn.
• Bachelor’s degree is helpful, but leadership and results matter more.

Responsibilities

• Lead the bureau’s tourism strategy, operations, staff, and priorities.
• Oversee destination marketing, advertising, PR, digital content, and outreach.
• Manage budgets, lodging-tax revenue, contracts, and resources.
• Build partnerships with hotels, restaurants, event organizers, officials, and community leaders.
• Lead events from start to finish with a team for conventions and group travel.
• Develop legislative relationships and represent the bureau in meetings.
• Measure results using occupancy, visitor, website, and economic data.
• Keep Sault Ste. Marie visible and competitive as travel evolves.

Skills

Leadership experience

Budget management

Event planning

Relationship building

Public speaking

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in tourism/hospitality or related field

Job description

The Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau seeks an experienced, community-minded Executive Director to lead tourism promotion and destination growth for the region in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Want to help more people discover one of Michigan’s most unforgettable destinations? This is an opportunity to lead the organization responsible for sharing Sault Ste. Marie’s story with the world. The bureau works to increase visitation and overnight stays, support local businesses and tourism partners, and strengthen the region’s long-term economic vitality.

This is a role for someone who genuinely cares about Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding area. You do not need to arrive with every answer. You do need intellectual curiosity, a willingness to listen and learn, and the initiative to jump in, figure things out, and keep important work moving forward.

What We Offer:

• $75,000 - $100,000 annually based on experience.

• Performance bonuses.

• SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with 3% matching company contribution.

• Paid time off.

• Relocation assistance, if needed.

• A supportive, forward-thinking Board that is responsive, engaged, and ready to get things done.

What You’ll Do:

As Executive Director, you serve as the bureau’s strategist, relationship builder, spokesperson, and day-to-day leader. You work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, tourism partners, local businesses, community organizations, and regional leaders to increase visitation, overnight stays, and the economic impact of tourism. You will:

• Lead the bureau’s tourism strategy, operations, staff, and annual priorities.

• Oversee destination marketing, advertising, public relations, digital content, and visitor outreach.

• Manage budgets, lodging-tax revenue, contracts, reporting, and organizational resources.

• Build strong partnerships with hotels, restaurants, event organizers, legislators, government agencies, and community leaders.

• Lead events from start to finish (with a team) by scheduling, coordinating, setting up, running, and actively working conventions, group travel programs, sporting events, festivals, and other activities that bring visitors to the area.

• Build legislative relationships by proactively reaching out to state legislators, meeting with them where they are, communicating regional tourism priorities, and representing the bureau at government meetings, presentations, and tourism-related organizations.

• Measure results using visitor, occupancy, website, campaign, and economic-impact data.

• Keep Sault Ste. Marie visible, relevant, and competitive as travel habits and marketing technology evolve.

What We’re Looking For:

You are a practical, forward-thinking leader who enjoys bringing people together around a shared goal. You communicate well, follow through, ask thoughtful questions, and are comfortable learning as you go. You understand that tourism is built through relationships, visibility, strong partnerships, and consistent execution. This is an in-office, out-in-the-community position—not a back-office role. To be considered, you need:

• 5 or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in tourism, destination marketing, hospitality, economic development, nonprofit management, chamber or association leadership, marketing, or a related field.

• Experience managing employees, budgets, programs, vendors, events, and competing organizational priorities.

• Hands-on experience planning, coordinating, setting up, and running events involving multiple partners, vendors, and moving parts.

• Knowledge of marketing, public relations, digital communication, brand development, community engagement, and legislative outreach.

• A record of building productive relationships with boards, businesses, public officials, community partners, and other stakeholders.

• Strong written communication, public speaking, organizational, and financial-management skills.

• Curiosity, sound judgment, and the willingness to listen, learn, and tackle unfamiliar challenges.

• A genuine interest in promoting Sault Ste. Marie and helping the region grow.

• The ability and willingness to work hands‑on at events, including occasional evenings or weekends, and travel as needed.

• A bachelor’s degree in tourism, hospitality, marketing, communications, business, public administration, or a related field is helpful, but relevant leadership experience, demonstrated results, and community‑building ability matter more than a specific degree.

Bring your leadership experience and fresh ideas here.

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Sault Ste. Marie is a distinctive waterfront destination known for the world-famous Soo Locks, passing Great Lakes freighters, rich history and culture, year-round outdoor recreation, memorable events, and easy access to some of the Upper Peninsula’s best‑known attractions. With four distinct seasons and plenty for visitors to experience, “The Soo” also offers exciting opportunities for tourism growth.