Job Description

Destination Vancouver is a progressive destination management organization, dedicated to growing Vancouver’s visitor economy. We work collaboratively with our partners to showcase Vancouver as an exceptional and sustainable global host city.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a strategic, collaborative and impact-oriented leader for the role of Director, Destination Development.

Reporting to the Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, this role (also a member of Destination Vancouver’s Director Leadership Team), leads destination development as a strategic economic development function, positioning tourism as a catalyst for business growth, investment attraction, and long-term destination resilience. The role advances Vancouver’s visitor economy in ways that deliver measurable social, cultural, environmental, and economic outcomes for residents, businesses, and communities.
Working at the intersection of development and promotion, the Director leads initiatives that enable sustainability and regenerative tourism practices, strengthen alignment between development and marketing, and advance meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous partners.
Through close collaboration with industry, community, and government, the Director will help position Vancouver as a leader in inclusive and sustainable destination development.

Key Deliverables
 An actionable destination development strategy aligned with Destination Vancouver’s purpose, priorities and values.
 Demonstrable progress toward sustainability, regenerative, and accessibility goals.
 Strong integration between destination development and destination promotion.
 Co-developed initiatives with members, communities and Indigenous partners that advance economic, cultural and social objectives.
 Effective partnerships that strengthen destination competitiveness.

Key Responsibilities

 Leadership & Strategy
o Develops and executes destination development strategies that strengthen Vancouver’s visitor economy while delivering social, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits.
o Positions tourism as a catalyst sector that supports broader economic resilience and destination competitiveness.
o Leads destination development as an economic development function, aligning tourism growth with citywide objectives related to productivity, diversification, and investment.
o Identifies potential risks and opportunities affecting destination competitiveness and collaborates on mitigation and adaptation strategies.
o Establishes training and development programs for internal and external audiences to build destination development capacity.
o Ensures destination development priorities are reflected in operational planning, performance metrics, and communications.
o Uses data, research, and resident and visitor insights to inform destination development priorities, monitor performance, and guide continuous improvement.

 Reconciliation, Partnerships & Economic Integration
o Builds respectful relationships with Indigenous Nations and partners.
o Supports Indigenous-led and co-developed tourism initiatives that reflect Indigenous priorities, cultures, values, and economic sovereignty.
o Collaborates with Indigenous partners, governments, and community organizations to align destination development with shared economic, cultural, and community aspirations.
o Advances accessible tourism and social procurement practices that benefit local businesses, Indigenous enterprises, and community-based organizations.

 Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism
o Leads the integration of sustainability and regenerative principles across all aspects of tourism development.
o Advances initiatives that reduce negative impacts and generate positive outcomes for communities and ecosystems.
o Aligns destination development with climate adaptation, resilience, and long-term destination management objectives.

• Product Development & Investment Attraction
o Champions the development of year-round products and experiences aligned with evolving visitor expectations and Vancouver’s unique identity.
o Works with tourism operators and community partners to support market-ready and export-ready tourism offerings.
o Supports innovation, collaboration, and scaling to strengthen the economic contribution of tourism businesses.
o Advances opportunities for tourism-related investment, including accommodation, attractions, cultural infrastructure, and enabling services.

 Policy and Advocacy
o Aligns destination development advocacy with municipal and provincial economic development strategies.
o Advocates for policies that enable responsible tourism growth, infrastructure development, and destination competitiveness.
o Represents Destination Vancouver in industry committees, policy discussions, and consultations.
o Works with public and private partners to improve investment readiness, reduce barriers, and enhance investor confidence.

• Performance Reporting
o Establishes and oversees methods for tracking, evaluating, and reporting on destination development outcomes, and impact.
o Prepares reports and briefings for senior leadership, the Board, and partners as required.

 Team and Organizational Leadership
o Provides leadership, coaching, mentoring to direct reports, including a shared position with Indigenous Tourism BC.
o Participates as a member of the Director Leadership Team, contributing to operational alignment, integrated planning, and collective decision-making.
o Builds strong, collaborative relationships across business units and with external partners to advance shared destination development objectives.

Who are we?

Destination Vancouver is one of the world’s most dynamic Destination Organizations, delivering on a mandate for destination development and promotion that makes Vancouver a must visit global destination. It responsibly strives for a triple bottom line approach to measuring destination success through people, planet, and prosperity. As a private, not for profit business association, continued relevancy equals success by supporting the industry and building a competitive global destination brand.

Destination Vancouver has a fabulous product and a powerful brand. Its brand promise, Vancouver is a place that connects people and inspires them to live with passion, underpins how it communicates with potential customers, engages with stakeholders, and services its 600+ members.

Why join us?

At Destination Vancouver, you’ll be part of a purpose-driven, collaborative team that is shaping Vancouver’s future as a leading global meetings destination. We believe in work/life balance and fostering an environment where ideas and innovation thrive.

What we offer

This position is based in Destination Vancouver’s corporate office in Vancouver, British Columbia, with excellent proximity to transit and downtown amenities. Flexibility of schedule is required for activities that occur outside of standard business operating hours. Some business travel may be required.

Destination Vancouver believes in and provides a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.

We are also proud to offer a competitive total rewards package including:

 Annual Incentive/Recognition Plan
 Matching RRSP Program
 3 weeks’ vacation (15 days)
 Additional paid Wellness days
 Extended health care benefits
 Health spending account and Personal (wellness) spending account
 Transit allowance
 Team Member Referral program
 Training and development opportunities
 Tourism industry perks

Expected salary range: $117,300 – $137,700
Destination Vancouver believes in and provides a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.

What you offer

The ideal candidate has experience in a similar senior leadership role. With a proven track record of attaining measurable results in destination development, the top candidate possesses a high level of professionalism, maturity, diplomacy and judgment regarding decision-making and fostering positive interpersonal relationships.

How do we connect?

If this sounds like you because you have the experience as a senior leader, are ambitious and driven and describe yourself as enthusiastic and focused on collaborating and making a difference for our destination with a high performing team, we invite you to apply for this exciting new role. Please send your resume and cover letter to: careers@destinationvancouver.com

For more information, please visit http://destinationvancouver.com

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Experience

 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in destination management, economic development,
tourism, or a related field.
 Demonstrated success in developing and delivering destination or tourism strategies, including
managing complex, multiple partner projects.
 Experience working in complex, urban destinations or comparable environments.
 Experience working collaboratively with Indigenous partners and advancing reconciliation initiatives.
 Proven experience in using research, data, and insights to inform strategy, guide decision-making, and
measure outcomes and impact.
 Knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive design in tourism infrastructure and experiences;
experience integrating accessibility into development is an asset.
 Experience aligning destination development with brand, marketing, and positioning strategies.
 Familiarity with policy, regulatory, and investment environments affecting tourism and related sectors,
 with demonstrated experience supporting business or sector growth.
 Proven experience leading and developing teams, and collaborating effectively across cross-functional environments.

Qualifications
 Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management, Business Administration, Environmental Studies, or a related field, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
Skills
 Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into clear, actionable plans.
 Strong understanding of sustainable and regenerative tourism principles and practices.
 Highly effective relationship builder with experience engaging diverse partners across sectors.
 Strong analytical skills with confidence using research and data to guide decision-making.
 Clear, compelling communicator with strong presentation and facilitation skills.
 Proven people leader with the ability to motivate, align and develop teams.

Salary/Wage

117,300 - 137,700

Apply Now