Executive Director

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Tourism Commission - Agency 91

Location:

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:

$60.097

Job Posting:

JR2025-00021065 Executive Director (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

Job Description:

Mission Statement

The mission of the Nebraska Tourism Commission is to expand Nebraska’s dynamic and diverse travel industry making it more viable by creating awareness, attracting increased visitors which in turn results in greater tourism revenue and economic gain throughout the state. The Executive Director will take an active role in marketing and promoting the tourism resources Nebraska has to offer to drive a trackable economic impact across the state while working diligently to effectively manage the strategic business plan and operations of the Commission.

Vision Statement

NTC will engage in diverse, creative marketing and promotional strategies that celebrate and increase awareness of the unique opportunities Nebraska has to offer to the visitor. The NTC will accomplish this through education and special events, partnerships, collateral creation, and promotional efforts at the state, national and international levels, working in tandem with NTC Commissioners and Nebraska’s tourism stakeholders.

Values

• Our highest value is our customer service
• We invite, honor and respond to all ideas.
• We provide high quality marketing efforts promoting tourism throughout the State.
• We address and respond to the needs of our stakeholders, partners, and industry members
• We responsibly use and manage public and private resources.
• We foster an inclusive environment that attracts, develops and retains a diverse, motivated, supportive and creative staff.
• We pursue excellence in the application of technique, procedures and technologies.
• We believe in our product and all marketing strategies. Commissioners and staff reflect and reinforce that belief.
• We foster an inclusive environment that attracts stakeholders and industry members to be engaged and included in Commission dialogue and events.

Strategic Goals

• Content and Services:

o Produce and distribute quality content and services that will educate, inform and connect with the visitor.
o NTC will be a valued partner in support of quality promotion, education for traditional and non-traditional events, and attractions for the visitor.

• Public Awareness:

o Increase the recognized value of the tourism industry for the visitor along with the communities, counties and State of Nebraska.

• Financial Resources:

o Improve organizational sustainability through increased revenues, enhanced private-public partnerships, leveraging resources and increasing operational efficiencies.

• Human Resources:

o Ensure that the NTC staff has appropriate skills through recruitment, retention, educational trainings and career opportunities.

• Technology:

o Achieve technical proficiency through, planning, design and implementation that supports content creation, management and distribution that is in line with the NTC Mission Statement.

• Governance:

o NTC will pursue topics of interest and relationships that promote the Mission and Vision of the Tourism industry and enhance the visitor experience, which in turn will generate more revenue and economic gain for Nebraska communities

In this Executive Director the position is responsible for attracting, selling, and overseeing the development, implementation and coordination of the State of Nebraska’s tourism efforts. This includes marketing, advertising, and promotion, as well as effectively and accurately managing the department’s budget according to state guidelines. This position will utilize market research to develop a competitive marketing strategy that promotes an effective image for state-wide tourism assets, programs, events, as well as cultural, historic and agriculture tourism resources. An ability to collaborate and communicate the NTC mission and annual objectives with NTC Commissioners, State and Local policymakers, and other key Nebraska tourism stakeholders is critical to success.

Look at what we have to offer!

• 13 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediately
• Military leave
• 156% (that's not a typo!) state-matched retirement
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance program
• 79% employer paid health insurance plans
• Dental and vision insurance plans
• Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government
• Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the State
• Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
• Training and Development based on your career aspirations
• Fun, inviting teammates
• A safe and secure environment

At the State, we stand by our core values of treating others with dignity and respect, acting ethically in all situations, and creating an environment where our customer is our top priority. Apply to join our team today!

Job Duties:

Tourism, Marketing & Sales Related Activities :

• Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing plan and identify new methods, features and events to promote and increase tourism for the purpose of generating positive economic growth for the state.
• Oversee website development.
• Develop tourism promotion ideas based on information from visitor and industry research and implement effective campaigns that include a variety of advertising, public relations, and sales promotion strategies.
• Attend continuing education sessions that assist in development and implementation of current and industry standard marketing programs.
• Work with various governmental and economic development agencies to develop and assemble a portfolio of financial resources including grants to finance tourism development projects.
• Assemble visitor behavior analysis to provide insight into profitable target markets.
• Research the tourism industry, including government policies, regulations and industry trends.

Budget, Purchasing & Resource Related Activities :

• Manage and track tourism expenditures assuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
• Identify, solicit, develop and coordinate the administration of state tourism funding, sponsorships, and cooperative marketing and research partnerships, specifically intended to create a positive economic impact on state tourism.
• Ensure that the NTC fully complies with all laws and reporting requirements of the state of Nebraska.
• Acts as the lead tourism advisor to the Governor, Legislature, and state agencies when it comes to state and national tourism related policies and strategies.

Public Relations and Liaison Activities :

• Work with tourism providers, travel agencies, and other tourist promotion agencies to package and sell complete tourism products.
• Network with individuals and various organizations to improve and enhance the viability of the state’s tourism businesses through diversification, niche marketing and branding efforts.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with counties, cities, DMO’s, community leaders, tourism related businesses and stakeholders, media outlets and local agencies.

• Promote a positive image of the tourism industry in the state of Nebraska through a variety of media efforts.

Supervisory and Management Activities:

• Oversee agency administration, resource allocation, vision and culture.
• Supervise and direct the work of NTC staff, by clearly defining responsibilities, providing training, implementing performance measures, ensuring accountability and promoting an ethical workplace.
• Determine long-range goals, objectives, organizational structure, and overall direction for the department.
• Monitor, review, and communicate the implementation of the agency’s strategic plans to ensure that long range goals and objectives are met.
• Prepare reports and department summaries regarding visitation, budget, events, publications, advertising, and marketing plans. Present reports and participate during Board meetings.
• Represent the tourism industry on various economic development committees or task forces relevant to issues such as business retention and revitalization, attraction of new business, workforce preparation, competitiveness and quality of life.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of the classification.

Requirements / Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree plus 5 years of relevant experience in tourism, public relations, marketing or related field; OR 10+ years of relevant experience in tourism, public relations, marketing or related field;

Other: Travel in state and out of state is required. A valid driver’s license or ability to provide independent authorized transportation is required. Regular and reliable attendance is required.

Salary range for this position is: $125,000-$150,000, commensurate with experience and education.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Understanding and experience with the policies and procedures, organization and functions of a Tourism Department is important to performing the role. Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form. Capable of exercising independent judgment, discretion and initiative with utilizing tact and courtesy in frequent contact with business and partners, government officials and general public. Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities.

If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.