President & Chief Executive Officer

Destination Marketing Association International; Temecula (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Visit Temecula Valley seeks an visionary President & CEO to unite strategic planning, destination marketing, and organizational leadership. You will guide fiscal responsibility, partnerships, and staff excellence while serving as the primary ambassador for the region’s premier tourism destination.

The role requires executive leadership with a track record in DMOs or related tourism/hospitality sectors, and the ability to drive growth through collaboration with public and private partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Hospitality, Tourism, Marketing, Public Administration, Communications, or a closely related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience.
• Leadership experience within a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), CVB, hospitality organization, tourism industry, nonprofit association, or similar organization.
• Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the organization's strategic vision in partnership with the Board of Directors.
• Provide leadership and oversight for all organizational operations, programs, and staff.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and accountable organizational culture.
• Lead destination marketing, tourism development, sales initiatives, visitor services, communications, and community engagement efforts.
• Oversee financial management, budgeting, forecasting, investments, and organizational resources.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local businesses, hospitality partners, community organizations, government agencies, and industry leaders.
• Serve as the organization's chief spokesperson and represent Visit Temecula Valley at local, regional, state, and national events.
• Monitor tourism trends, market conditions, and organizational performance to identify new opportunities for growth.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, Board policies, contracts, and organizational governance practices.
• Provide regular reports and recommendations to the Board regarding organizational performance, strategic initiatives, and financial health.

Skills

Communication skills

Public speaking

Negotiation

Relationship building

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality, Tourism, Marketing, Public Administration, Communications, or related field

Master's degree preferred

CDME designation desirable

Job description

Visit Temecula Valley is seeking an innovative, collaborative, and visionary executive to serve as its next President & Chief Executive Officer. This is a unique opportunity to lead one of California's premier destination marketing organizations and shape the future of tourism for an internationally recognized destination.

As the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Temecula Valley, Visit Temecula Valley inspires travel, supports the local hospitality industry, and drives economic growth through strategic destination marketing, sales, and community partnerships. Representing a destination known for its award-winning wineries, luxury resorts, Old Town charm, outdoor recreation, culinary experiences, and year-round events, our organization plays a vital role in strengthening the regional economy and enhancing the visitor experience.

The President & CEO serves as the chief executive officer of the organization and is responsible for providing strategic vision, operational leadership, financial stewardship, and organizational excellence while working in partnership with the Board of Directors, community leaders, hospitality partners, elected officials, and staff.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the President & CEO leads the organization in fulfilling its mission through strategic planning, destination marketing, organizational leadership, fiscal responsibility, and stakeholder engagement. This executive serves as the primary ambassador for Visit Temecula Valley and works to strengthen the destination's reputation while creating measurable economic impact for the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the organization's strategic vision in partnership with the Board of Directors.
• Provide leadership and oversight for all organizational operations, programs, and staff.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and accountable organizational culture.
• Lead destination marketing, tourism development, sales initiatives, visitor services, communications, and community engagement efforts.
• Oversee financial management, budgeting, forecasting, investments, and organizational resources.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local businesses, hospitality partners, community organizations, government agencies, and industry leaders.
• Serve as the organization's chief spokesperson and represent Visit Temecula Valley at local, regional, state, and national events.
• Monitor tourism trends, market conditions, and organizational performance to identify new opportunities for growth.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, Board policies, contracts, and organizational governance practices.
• Provide regular reports and recommendations to the Board regarding organizational performance, strategic initiatives, and financial health.

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality, Tourism, Marketing, Public Administration, Communications, or a closely related field. A master's degree is preferred.
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience.
• Leadership experience within a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), hospitality organization, tourism industry, nonprofit association, or similar organization.
• Demonstrated success working with a Board of Directors and multiple stakeholder groups.
• Strong financial management and budget administration experience.
• Proven ability to build strategic partnerships and successfully lead organizational initiatives.
• Exceptional communication, public speaking, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience leading organizational growth, strategic planning, and change management.
• Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation is highly desirable.

Why Visit Temecula Valley?

Visit Temecula Valley offers the opportunity to lead a respected destination marketing organization representing one of Southern California's most vibrant travel destinations. Our team is passionate about promoting the region, supporting our hospitality partners, and creating meaningful economic impact for the community.

We value:

• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Innovation
• Accountability
• Community Partnership
• Integrity
• Service Excellence

Compensation & Benefits

Visit Temecula Valley offers a competitive executive compensation package commensurate with experience and qualifications, along with a comprehensive benefits program.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Visit Temecula Valley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to an individual's age (40 and over), race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locs, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, off-duty and off-premises use of cannabis, any combination of two or more protected classes or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.