DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ILLINOIS OFFICE OF TOURISM

Location: Springfield, IL 62704

About the role

The Illinois Office of Tourism is seeking a dynamic Deputy Director to help lead statewide efforts to attract visitors, strengthen tourism communities, build strategic partnerships, and grow Illinois' tourism economy. This role will help shape the Office's strategic direction, oversee statewide tourism programs and marketing initiatives, manage significant resources and partnerships, and represent the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) with public and private-sector leaders.

As Deputy Director, you will influence tourism policy, champion Illinois destinations and experiences, and develop innovative strategies that position Illinois to compete nationally and globally. If you are an experienced leader with vision, sound judgment, strong relationship-building skills, and a passion for showcasing Illinois, this opportunity is for you.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Deputy Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism, providing leadership and direction for statewide operations, programs, policies, strategic initiatives, and objectives.
• Develop and direct statewide tourism marketing strategies involving community events, historic venues, hotels/motels, conventions, travel destinations, and other tourism assets to advance Illinois’ tourism and economic development objectives.
• Represent DCEO and speak on behalf of the agency Director before private and public groups at state and local levels regarding the mission, goals, and program objectives of the Office of Tourism.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with public- and private-sector organizations, airlines, transportation providers, attractions, major events, sports organizations, cultural institutions, and corporate partners.
• Formulate, evaluate, and implement policy and legislative initiatives in partnership with the Office of Legislative Affairs and other agency stakeholders to advance the strategic objectives of the Office of Tourism and maintain Illinois’ competitiveness.
• Establish strategic priorities and direct the development, implementation, and evaluation of statewide tourism initiatives aligned with the Governor's and DCEO's economic development priorities.
• Direct clear and effective marketing of the Office’s programs.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of Office programs and operations, establishing performance expectations, measures, and accountability mechanisms to ensure achievement of strategic objectives and stewardship of state resources.
• Serve as a full-line supervisor, including:
  • Assigning and reviewing work.
  • Providing guidance and training to assigned staff.
  • Counseling staff regarding work performance.
  • Reassigning staff to meet day-to-day operating needs.
  • Establishing annual goals and objectives.
  • Approving time off.
  • Adjusting first-level grievances.
  • Recommending and imposing discipline up to and including discharge.
  • Preparing and signing performance evaluations.
  • Determining and recommending staffing needs.
• Direct the formulation, administration, and execution of the budget for the Illinois Office of Tourism, including:
  • Allocating and controlling expenditures.
  • Establishing annual spending priorities and directing resource allocation based on organizational priorities, projected needs, performance, and available funding.
  • Directing, reviewing, and coordinating Office budget formulation and submission in adherence to agency policy, mission, and budgetary regulations.
  • Developing annual spending plans and directing Office obligations, commitments, and expenditures.
• Administer, direct, review, and coordinate operations in statewide advertising, public relations programs, tourism publications, and tour and travel programs to ensure full utilization of state resources.
• Establish and monitor performance measures for tourism programs using visitor data, economic-impact studies, market research, and other analytics to inform decisions and demonstrate return on investment.
• Direct cooperative advertising promotions and public relations tourism programs with air carriers, hoteliers, and the private sector.
• Administer, direct, review, and coordinate operations to facilitate statewide grants programs.
• Direct and evaluate initiatives that strengthen the state’s tourism infrastructure, visitor experiences, workforce, accessibility, and readiness for emerging markets and travel trends.
• Integrate major tourism programs with short- and long-range goals and objectives.
• Advise the Agency Chief of Staff and Director on the status, performance, challenges, and strategic opportunities of the Office of Tourism, making recommendations regarding policies, programs, resource allocation, and organizational priorities.
• Prepare and present executive-level reports, analyses, recommendations, and briefings concerning Office operations, tourism trends, program performance, economic impact, and strategic initiatives.
• Lead special initiatives and projects of statewide significance within the scope of the Office's mission and delegated authority.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the role.

Requirements

• Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college, with coursework in business, public administration, tourism/hospitality management, communications, or marketing.
• Four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four years of professional experience working in a leadership capacity for a statewide tourism organization, destination marketing organization, convention and visitors bureau, or tourism-related association.
• Four years of professional experience managing public-sector contracts, contractors, and contractual deliverables.
• Four years of professional supervisory experience.
• Three years of professional experience developing and implementing statewide or regional tourism strategies.
• Two years of professional experience representing an organization before government officials and external stakeholders.

Conditions of Employment

• Completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Ability to travel, including overnight stays, as required for the performance of duties.
• Overtime is a condition of employment; may be required to work evenings, weekends, and unscheduled or last-minute overtime.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions (5 ILCS 430/5-45) apply to this position. Employees must notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) if offered non-State employment during or within one year of ending State employment.
• This position requires filing an annual Statement of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State, which will be made available for public examination and copying.

Pay

Anticipated starting salary range: $11,550 – $12,500 per month.

Schedule

Full-time, salaried position.