Sr. Director, Visitor Services

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is seeking a Senior Director of Visitor Services to lead a multi-site team across Philadelphia's visitor centers, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and seamless operations. The role drives staffing, training, and partner relationships while representing the city as a welcoming ambassador.

Responsibilities include directing site managers, coordinating staffing across five centers, and collaborating with operations to address facility needs and

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in tourism, hospitality or visitor services.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
• Second language proficiency is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Direct and mentor site managers across 5+ visitor centers.
• Oversee staffing schedules, coverage, and seasonal needs.
• Recruit, hire, and onboard new Visitor Experience Associates and volunteers.
• Manage training programs for all visitor services staff.
• Oversee partnerships with 90+ external ticket partners.
• Collaborate with operations on facility needs and vendor relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Salesmanship

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Ticketing platforms

POS systems

CMS

CRM databases

Job description

Position: Senior Director, Visitor Services

Position reports to: Vice President, Experience & Engagement

Position Manages the following staff positions:

• Visitor Services Director, Independence Visitor Center
• Visitor Services Manager, City Hall and LOVE Park Visitor Centers
• Visitor Services Manager, Parkway Visitor Center and Rocky Shop
• Visitor Services Supervisor, Reading Terminal Market
• Visitor Services Manager, Philadelphia Intl Airport

Number of direct reports: Six

Responsible for a team of:

• 1-4 Full Time Visitor Services Coordinators
• 30-40 Part Time Visitor Experience Associates

The Senior Director of Visitor Services is responsible for leading a team of visitor center site managers to deliver consistently positive and memorable experiences for guests across the organization’s 5+ visitor centers. The Senior Director of Visitor Services will manage a talented team of 30+ staff and volunteers to deliver a world class welcome to Philadelphia, and provide excellent service in assisting visitors with ticket sales, retail purchases, PLASH information or service updates, maps and wayfinding, itinerary planning, and information about special events and citywide promotions.

The Senior Director of Visitor Services will be an ambassador for the city of Philadelphia, and serve as a role model to their management team in delivering an inclusive and welcoming visitor experience. The Senior Director will be responsible for overseeing high-quality visitor services operations at the Independence Visitor Center, The City Hall Visitor Center, The LOVE Park Visitor Center, the Parkway Visitor Center, the Pride Visitor Center, and Reading Terminal Market.

The Senior Visitor Services Director will supervise 5+ full-time staff and lead a team of 25+ part-time, seasonal Visitor Experience Associates operating at 5+ sites and pop-up locations across the city and region.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for daily visitor-facing operations for the organization’s portfolio of 5+ visitor centers and temporary pop-ups.
• Guide, direct, and mentor managers to ensure outstanding visitor experience operations at each site.
• Oversee management of visitor services staffing schedule, including assigning on-duty management, call-out coverage, and fulfilling seasonal, temporary, and extended hour operating needs.
• Oversee the effective and timely recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of new VEAs and volunteers.
• Responsible for the training and professional development for all visitor services team members.
• Manage and grow Visitor Center’s network of 90+ external ticket partnerships.
• Set direction and accountability for the Visitor Services Management team.
• Manage an annual training program for Visitor Services managers and staff.
• Manage and negotiate with third party vendors.
• Participate in organizational leadership team meetings.
• Work closely with the operations team to ensure facility needs are addressed and resolved quickly and to a high standard.
• Oversee regular Visitor Services employee communications channels to ensure staff are well informed to support visitors and promote the City and the organization’s partners.
• Support sales and promotion and timely customer services information for the Philly PHLASH at all visitor center locations.
• Assist site staff with organizational tasks and special events as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• An experienced manager, with a proven track record leading effective teams.
• 5+ years of experience in the tourism, hospitality or visitor services sectors.
• Superior leadership, salesmanship and interpersonal skills.
• Strong computer and data entry skills, comfortable with ticketing platforms, POS (Point of Sale) systems, CMS systems, and CRM databases.
• Ability to stand or sit for at least 8 hours at a time.
• Lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
• Second language proficiency is desirable.
• Dedication to Philadelphia and supporting the city’s reputation as a world class destination.
• Interest in working in a non-profit work environment and fulfilling the mission of the organization.

HOURS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Full time role with a variable schedule, including two weekends a month.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and all U.S. holidays; the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation is open 363 days per year (closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day)
• Regular weekend and holiday availability is required.

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
The Philadelphia Building
1315 Walnut Street, Suite 1101
Philadelphia, PA 19107
email: [e-mail]