President, Visit Oneida County

The Oneida County Convention & Visitors Bureau, dba Oneida County Tourism, the County's official tourism marketing organization, is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to building Oneida County's economy and positive image through tourism and convention development, events, and the marketing of the county on a global basis.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The President of Oneida County Tourism(OCT) oversees all staff and manages the organization's daily affairs. This includes establishing an effective organizational structure and delegating tasks to team members to achieve organizational goals. As a non-voting member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, the President serves as the key spokesperson for the organization, ensuring consistent and effective communication for the industry while advocating for OCT.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform the full range of duties entailed in managing the day-to-day affairs of OCT, including strategic planning, programming, budgeting, scheduling, and evaluations of all employees.
• Administer contracts with the County of Oneida for Oneida County Occupancy Tax program and with the State of New York for the I Love New York matching funds program.
• Manage overall operations with support from the Welcome Center manager for services at Welcome Center locations. Coordinate marketing and promotion activities and public relations and manage contracts with OCT's selected agency of record.
• Oversee activities of the Director of Sales; Director of Communications Film/TV; and Director of Membership, CRM, and Digital Asset Management.
• Participate in regional initiatives and activities, including the New York State Department of Economic Development I Love New York program, Central New York Vacation Region, and Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council. Provide reports to and coordinate activities with the bureau's Board of Directors and officers, members, the County of Oneida, the media, local businesses, and other bureaus and organizations in the tourism industry.
• Maintain legal documents, policies, procedures, and records necessary for the operation of the organization according to state and federal requirements, as well as those adopted by the organization.
• Maintain HR records for all personnel as related to benefits, including vacation, compensable time, sick/personal time, and evaluations according to policies adopted and outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Maintain and ensure the employee handbook meets state and federal regulations and requirements.
• Administer all insurance benefit programs, including medical/dental, life, retirement, and flexible spending accounts. Coordinate and maintain appropriate accounting of payroll with sub-contractor.
• Interface with insurance companies, payroll processing, and HR sub-contractors.
• Follow all financial policies and procedures adopted by the organization.
• Assist in preparing information for the annual budget, grants, and annual financial audits/reviews.
• Aid CPAs during annual audit/review as needed.
• Process matching fund grant for Empire State Development/I Love New York, applications, and reporting as required. Maintain information required by Empire State Development for Grants Gateway Document Vault and Vendor ID Systems. Oversee the preparation of monthly financial reports by the organization's accounting firm for the board of directors meetings.
• Perform other duties as required by OCT's Board of Directors and officers.

• A minimum of 10 years experience, senior-level leadership experience in the tourism industry, ideally with a destination organization.
• Must have a proven record of successful interaction with local and state government leaders and tourism industry stakeholders.
• Board governance and management experience are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus with multiple stakeholder groups is a must.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents.
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or styles.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.) in its most difficult phases.
• Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
• Strong knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet software, accounting software, inventory software, internet software, human resources systems, project management software, database software, contact management systems, and Social Media.
• A bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university and six to eight years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license and passport.
• Must be a permanent resident of Oneida County.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS:

• Collaborative
• Politically astute
• Team player
• Personable and approachable
• Confident
• Organized
• Problem-solver
• Outgoing

TOP PRIORITIES:

• Begin to develop strong and meaningful relationships with all stakeholders/constituents and maintain effective ongoing communication. Constituents include but are not limited to staff, board, industry leaders, business leaders, city, county, and state elected officials.
• Evaluate and get to know all aspects of the organization, budget/P&L, current marketing programs, and campaigns. Review and understand the current business plan and strategy, and engage in the current projects under development to ensure a smooth transition to maintain momentum.

SALARY & APPLICATION INFORMATION:

• Salary starts at $70,000, commensurate with experience

To apply, send a resume and cover letter to board@oneidacountytourism.com