Director of Destination Marketing | Full-Time | Caney Pines Convention Center

About the role

The Director of Destination Marketing will lead the development and launch of the destination marketing strategy for East Montgomery County, working closely with Oak View Group, local stakeholders, community partners, tourism organizations, businesses, and other key partners to establish the destination as a compelling place to visit, stay, dine, shop, and experience. This role will develop and execute an integrated marketing strategy to build destination awareness, drive visitation, support economic development, and establish a strong and recognizable destination brand. The Director will translate the goals of the East Montgomery County destination strategy into actionable marketing initiatives, campaigns, partnerships, and communications. During the first one to two years, the Director will also support the launch and ramp‑up of Caney Pines Convention Center, leading venue‑focused marketing efforts to build event bookings, establish market presence, drive awareness among meeting planners and consumers, and position the facility as a premier destination for conventions, meetings, entertainment, and special events. Caney Pines Convention Center is East Montgomery County’s premier destination for conventions, meetings, trade shows, banquets, and community events. Owned by the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) and managed by Oak View Group (OVG), the approximately 210,000‑square‑foot facility features a 55,000‑square‑foot ballroom/exhibition hall, flexible meeting space, and expansive pre‑function areas designed to accommodate events of all sizes. Strategically located in Valley Ranch Town Center, the center is positioned to serve as a leading gathering place for business, tourism, and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Direct and lead the development and launch of the destination marketing strategy for East Montgomery County.
• Establish the destination's brand positioning, messaging, identity, and value proposition.
• Develop short- and long-term marketing goals focused on awareness, visitation, engagement, and economic impact.
• Identify target audiences and develop strategies to reach visitors, residents, businesses, meeting planners, and other key audiences.
• Develop strategies to position East Montgomery County as a desirable regional and destination market.
• Collaborate closely with the Convention Center's Director of Sales & Marketing to align destination marketing initiatives with venue sales strategies, events, tourism development, and economic impact goals.
• Reports directly to the General Manager of the Convention Center and serves as a strategic partner in advancing the destination and venue's overall business objectives.
• Lead the development and launch of the destination brand and marketing platform.
• Develop consistent messaging and brand standards across digital, print, social media, public relations, and partner communications.
• Oversee the development of creative assets, marketing collateral, photography, video, and other destination content.
• Develop a compelling storytelling strategy that highlights the area's attractions, experiences, businesses, events, and unique qualities.
• Ensure all marketing efforts create a cohesive and recognizable destination identity.
• Develop and oversee integrated marketing campaigns across digital, social media, email, public relations, paid media, and other channels.
• Develop content strategies designed to increase destination awareness and engagement.
• Oversee website and digital destination marketing efforts.
• Manage social media strategy and content development.
• Develop public relations and media strategies to generate positive destination exposure.
• Identify opportunities for regional, state, and national media coverage.
• Monitor campaign performance and adjust strategies based on results.
• Build strong relationships with local businesses, tourism organizations, municipalities, community leaders, attractions, hotels, restaurants, and other stakeholders.
• Develop strategic marketing partnerships that expand the destination's reach.
• Work collaboratively with community partners to align marketing efforts with the broader destination strategy.
• Represent the destination at industry events, community meetings, tourism conferences, and other appropriate functions.
• Develop cooperative marketing opportunities with local businesses and destination partners.
• Develop marketing initiatives designed to increase visitation, overnight stays, tourism spending, and overall economic impact.
• Identify opportunities to promote events, attractions, dining, retail, outdoor recreation, and other visitor experiences.
• Partner with Sales and Business Development teams to support group business, conventions, meetings, and other visitation opportunities.
• Research visitor trends, market opportunities, and competitive destinations.
• Develop strategies to attract new audiences and increase repeat visitation.
• Develop and manage the destination marketing budget.
• Oversee marketing agencies, consultants, creative partners, media partners, and other vendors as needed.
• Establish measurable KPIs and regularly report on marketing performance and destination impact.
• Direct and develop the marketing team as the destination organization grows.
• Ensure marketing initiatives are aligned with organizational goals and financial objectives.
• Provide regular updates and recommendations to senior leadership and key stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Tourism, Hospitality, Business, or a related field.
• 5‑7+ years of progressive marketing experience, with demonstrated leadership responsibility.
• Experience developing and executing integrated marketing strategies.
• Strong experience in brand development, digital marketing, social media, public relations, and strategic partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, agencies, vendors, and multiple marketing initiatives.
• Excellent communication, presentation, relationship‑building, and project management skills.
• Strong understanding of destination marketing, tourism, hospitality, or place branding.
• Preferred: Experience with destination marketing, tourism, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), economic development, or place branding.
• Preferred: Experience launching a new destination, brand, development, or major tourism initiative.
• Preferred: Experience working with municipalities, tourism organizations, or public/private partnerships.
• Preferred: Experience developing regional or national destination marketing campaigns.
• Preferred: Experience in a growing or emerging destination market.

Skills

• Strong strategic marketing and brand development expertise.
• Excellent storytelling and content strategy skills.
• Strong understanding of digital and social media marketing.
• Ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders and community partners.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to measure marketing ROI and economic impact.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.