About Hinton Northern Rockies
Hinton Northern Rockies is the public-facing brand of the Hinton Destination Management Organization (HDMO), a non-profit destination organization working to grow Hinton's visitor economy in a way that supports local businesses, strengthens community pride, and builds long-term destination value.
HDMO is guided by the 2025-2030 Visitor Economy Roadmap and works across visitor services, destination marketing, member support, product and experience development, and business development. As the organization enters its next phase, the focus is on maintaining strong destination growth while increasing measurable value for accommodation partners and members.
Position Summary
The Executive Director is the senior operational leader of HDMO and is responsible for implementing the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors. This is a hands-on leadership role that requires strong governance support, financial oversight, stakeholder diplomacy, staff leadership, member communications, and the ability to keep multiple priorities moving in a small-team environment.
The successful candidate will help lead HDMO's next phase of growth by implementing the Board-approved strategic direction, including the 2025-2030 Visitor Economy Roadmap and the 2026 business development realignment. This role is ideal for someone who understands the balance between long-term destination building and near-term, measurable value for members.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Governance
· Implement the Board-approved strategic direction, including the 2025-2030 Visitor Economy Roadmap and the 2026 business development realignment.
· Support the Board of Directors with governance best practices, meeting preparation, reporting, policy implementation, and annual planning.
· Translate Board direction into practical annual work plans, budgets, timelines, contractor scopes, and staff priorities.
· Provide clear, timely updates to the Board, members, funders, and partners on organizational progress and outcomes.
Organizational Management & Operations
· Lead the day-to-day operations of a small destination organization, including staff supervision, contractor coordination, work planning, documentation, and performance management.
· Oversee the Business Development Contractor, Visitor Information Centre operations, and seasonal or frontline staff as applicable.
· Maintain clear internal systems for accountability, reporting, procurement, contract management, and follow-through.
· Support a positive, professional, and outcome-focused team culture.
Business Development & Member Value
· Manage the Business Development Contractor scope, deliverables, timelines, reporting, and payment milestones.
· Work closely with the Business Development Contractor to support group and event attraction, sports tourism opportunities, corporate and crew accommodation opportunities, room block coordination, and member referrals.
· Ensure business development activity is connected to measurable outcomes such as qualified leads, confirmed opportunities, estimated room nights, partner referrals, and member value.
· Build strong relationships with accommodation partners and broader tourism, hospitality, event, and business-sector members.
· Support regular member communication that demonstrates both destination-level progress and practical business value.
Marketing, Brand & Destination Promotion Oversight
· Oversee the organization's third-party marketing contractor, ensuring marketing plans, campaigns, content priorities, website updates, digital advertising, media/influencer activity, reporting, and brand management align with HDMO's Roadmap, member needs, and measurable business outcomes.
· Ensure destination marketing continues to build awareness of Hinton Northern Rockies as a four-season destination while supporting member referrals, visitor planning, and business development priorities.
· Review marketing performance reports and connect marketing insights to Board reporting, member communications, and future planning.
· Protect the Hinton Northern Rockies brand voice, visual identity, and strategic positioning across public-facing channels.
Financial Management, Funding & Reporting
· Prepare and manage annual budgets, financial updates, grant applications, funding reports, and Board-facing financial materials in collaboration with the Treasurer and bookkeeper/accounting partners.
· Monitor organizational revenue, expenses, membership funding, grant obligations, project budgets, and contract commitments.
· Maintain strong reporting practices, including monthly activity updates and quarterly performance reporting tied to organizational priorities.
· Identify funding and partnership opportunities that support sustainable destination growth and member value.
Visitor Services & Destination Development
· Oversee the Visitor Information Centre function and ensure visitor services support strong referrals, visitor experience, data collection, and community awareness.
· Support destination development initiatives that align with the Roadmap, including events, product development, visitor experience improvements, partnerships, and community activation.
· Represent HDMO in conversations related to tourism infrastructure, visitor experience, and local economic development.
Stakeholder Relations & Communications
· Serve as a professional representative of HDMO with members, hotels, tourism operators, municipal partners, funders, Travel Alberta, regional organizations, and community stakeholders.
· Prepare clear presentations, updates, reports, and communications for members, Council, partners, funders, and the broader community.
· Navigate complex stakeholder relationships with diplomacy, transparency, and a practical focus on shared outcomes.
Qualifications & Experience
· Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in tourism, destination management, economic development, hospitality, non-profit leadership, business development, marketing oversight, or a related field.
· Demonstrated leadership experience in a senior, management, or small-team environment.
· Strong understanding of destination organizations, member-based organizations, visitor economy development, or tourism/hospitality ecosystems.
· Experience working with Boards, committees, municipal partners, funders, or multi-stakeholder environments.
· Strong financial literacy, budgeting, grant writing, reporting, and project management skills.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present clearly to diverse audiences.
· Ability to balance strategic thinking with practical execution in a lean organization.
· Knowledge of Alberta tourism, DMF models, hotel partnerships, event attraction, or Travel Alberta programs is considered an asset.
The Ideal Candidate
· Is a steady, credible leader who can build trust with members, partners, staff, contractors, and the Board.
· Understands both destination marketing and the need for measurable business outcomes.
· Can manage competing priorities without losing sight of the bigger picture.
· Is comfortable working in a hands-on environment where strategy, operations, communications, and relationship management often overlap.
· Brings diplomacy, professionalism, accountability, and a practical sense of momentum.
How to Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role through Indeed or to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed as received. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The successful candidate will be subject to a six-month probationary period.
Pay: $90,000.00-$100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Extended health care
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
Application question(s):
- Are you currently located in Hinton or surrounding communities? (Jasper, Grande Cache, Edson etc)
Work Location: In person
