Tourism Director

Iowatravelindustry; Independence (IA); Hybrid; USD 44,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

IPERS

Phone stipend

Mileage reimbursement

Job summary

The Buchanan County Economic Development Commission is seeking a creative, motivated Tourism Director to lead countywide marketing and development, promote local businesses and visitor experiences, and provide marketing support for BCEDC.

The Director will be a strong communicator and self-starter who can manage multiple priorities, create engaging content, pursue grants and sponsorships, grow membership and revenue, and move projects from concept to completion.

Qualifications

• Experience in marketing, social media, content creation, photography or video-editing is preferred.
• Proficiency with Canva is required.
• Ability to build relationships with businesses, community organizations, volunteers, elected officials, members, tourism partners, and the Amish community.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects, records, budgets, and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Marketing and Communications: Build and implement a countywide tourism marketing plan; manage social media, websites, email communications, photography, video and digital advertising.
• Publications, Membership, and Revenue: Lead development of the Visitors Guide and Amish Map; grow membership; secure advertisers and sponsors.
• Tourism and Partnership Development: Build relationships with communities, attractions, lodging, restaurants, retailers, events, and partners; support events and festivals.
• Grants, Administration, and Performance: Research, write and administer grants; coordinate budgets, contracts, and reports; track results and prepare regular leadership reports.

Skills

Marketing

Social media

Content creation

Graphic design

Photography

Video editing

Website management

Public speaking

Communication

Grant writing

Budgeting

Canva

Public relations

Event planning

Tools

QuickBooks

Job description

Location: Independence, Iowa, with travel throughout Buchanan County. Position Type: Full-time with flexible scheduling based on job duties and organizational needs. Reports To: Buchanan County Economic Development Commission (BCEDC) Executive Director. Application Review: Applications received by Monday, August 24, 2026, will receive first consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

Position Summary:

The Buchanan County Economic Development Commission is seeking a creative, motivated, and community-minded professional to serve as Buchanan County Tourism Director. This position leads countywide tourism marketing and development, promotes local businesses and visitor experiences, and provides marketing and social media support for BCEDC.

The Director will be a strong communicator, relationship builder, self-starter, and independent worker who can manage multiple priorities, create engaging content, pursue grants and sponsorships, grow membership and revenue, and move projects from concept to completion. Applicants with strong demonstrated skills from professional, volunteer, entrepreneurial, academic, or independent work, are encouraged to apply.

Primary Responsibilities

• Marketing and Communications
  • Build on and continue to implement a countywide tourism marketing plan that promotes Buchanan County communities, attractions, events, outdoor recreation, businesses, and quality-of-life opportunities.
  • Manage tourism and BCEDC social media, websites, email communications, photography, video, digital advertising, and other promotional platforms.
  • Create consistent, engaging content and maintain professional branding across all marketing channels. Proficiency with Canva or related platforms is essential.
  • Identify new audiences, travel trends, partnerships, and promotional opportunities that increase visitation and engagement.
• Publications, Membership, and Revenue
  • Lead the development, advertising sales, production, and distribution of the annual Buchanan County Visitors Guide and Buchanan County Amish Map.
  • Build relationships with the Amish community and promote participating businesses and visitor experiences.
  • Plan and carry out the annual membership drive, recruit and retain members and maintain accurate records.
  • Secure advertisers, sponsors, cooperative marketing partners, and other revenue-generating opportunities that support tourism programs.
• Tourism and Partnership Development
  • Build strong relationships with communities, attractions, lodging properties, restaurants, retailers, event organizers, businesses, members, and tourism partners.
  • Support the development of events, attractions, trails, public art, visitor amenities, and other tourism-related projects.
  • Plan, coordinate, and support countywide festivals, special events, familiarization tours, media visits, and promotional initiatives.
  • Represent Buchanan County at community, regional, and statewide meetings, conferences, and tourism events.
• Grants, Administration, and Performance
  • Research, write, submit, and administer grants that support tourism, marketing, community development, recreation, events, and visitor experiences.
  • Coordinate project budgets, contracts, vendors, reimbursements, reports, documentation, deadlines, and routine QuickBooks accounting.
  • Develop annual goals, work plans, content calendars, publication schedules, membership plans, and budget recommendations.
  • Track results through visitor data, digital analytics, campaign performance, membership and advertising revenue, and regular reports to BCEDC leadership.

Qualifications and Desired Skills

• A specific degree or set number of years of experience is not required. Candidates will be evaluated on demonstrated skills, relevant experience, community involvement, creativity, leadership, and their ability to successfully perform the position.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, public-speaking, and persuasive communication skills.
• Experience or demonstrated ability in marketing, social media, content creation, photography, video, graphic design, website management, publications, or related creative work.
• Proficiency with Canva is required. Experience with website platforms, email marketing tools, digital advertising, photography, or video-editing tools is preferred.
• Ability to build positive relationships with businesses, community organizations, volunteers, elected officials, members, tourism partners, and the Amish community.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects, records, budgets, and deadlines.
• Experience with basic QuickBooks accounting or the ability to learn it with assistance.
• Ability to research and learn to write grants, develop sponsorships, support membership growth, and manage reporting requirements.
• A self-starter and independent worker who takes initiative, solves problems, adapts to changing priorities, and follows projects through to completion while collaborating effectively with others.
• Tourism, hospitality, marketing, economic or community development, nonprofit, event, sales, grant-writing, public-relations, or related experience is helpful but not required.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to lift up to 40#

Work Requirements and Compensation

This is a full-time position based in Independence with flexible scheduling and the option to complete some duties remotely when responsibilities allow and with approval of the BCEDC Executive Director. Regular in-person work, travel throughout Buchanan County, occasional regional or statewide travel, and some evening and weekend work are required. The Director must be comfortable working independently, representing the organization publicly, and adjusting priorities as opportunities arise.

Salary and Benefits:

$44,000-$50,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits include participation in the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS), phone stipend and mileage.

Why Buchanan County?

Buchanan County offers small-town hospitality, historic and cultural attractions, outdoor recreation, Amish businesses and experiences, locally owned businesses, and authentic Iowa destinations. The Tourism Director will help shape how these stories are shared, strengthen countywide partnerships, grow membership and revenue, and build tourism as an important part of the county’s economic future.

The Buchanan County Economic Development Commission is an equal opportunity employer.