Director, Destination Strategy

Karsh Hagan Madden • ,

9d • $130,000 - $150,000 • Remote

About The Position

As our Director of Destination Strategy, you'll play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of our destination partners while helping grow and strengthen our relationships within the tourism industry. You'll serve as a trusted advisor to senior-level clients, developing a deep understanding of their destinations, audiences, business goals, and challenges and translating those insights into smart, innovative marketing strategies. From brand positioning and audience insights to integrated campaigns and long-term destination growth, you'll help partners identify opportunities and turn complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies. This role blends destination and brand strategy, client leadership, consumer insights, account growth, and business development. You'll lead strategic initiatives for key partners, collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, and help identify opportunities to expand existing relationships and develop new ones. You'll also represent KHM within the tourism community, building meaningful industry relationships and staying closely connected to the trends, traveler behaviors, and opportunities shaping destination marketing.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in strategy, destination marketing, brand strategy, account planning, marketing, consulting, or a related field.
• Experience in tourism, destination marketing, travel, hospitality, or a related industry strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic initiatives and serving as a trusted advisor to senior-level clients.
• Strong understanding of brand strategy, consumer behavior, audience insights, research, and integrated marketing.
• Proven ability to turn research, data, and complex business challenges into clear strategic recommendations.
• Strong presentation, storytelling, writing, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience collaborating across disciplines and mentoring or leading strategists and cross-functional teams.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to identify opportunities for client, account, and business growth.
• Curious, collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-moving agency environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 1-2 weeks per month.
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, business, psychology, communications, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic direction for key destination clients, aligning brand, audience, marketing, and business objectives.
• Develop destination and brand strategies informed by consumer insights, traveler behavior, research, market intelligence, and industry trends.
• Serve as a trusted strategic partner to senior-level clients, translating complex challenges into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Lead strategic presentations, workshops, stakeholder conversations, creative briefs, proposals, and new business pitches.
• Build and strengthen long-term client relationships while identifying opportunities for renewals, account growth, and new partnerships.
• Collaborate with Account, Creative, Media, Data & Insights, and other agency teams to bring integrated strategies to life.
• Guide and mentor strategists and cross-functional teams, helping strengthen strategic thinking and the quality of work across the agency.
• Represent KHM at tourism industry events, conferences, client meetings, and business development opportunities.
• Travel approximately 1-2 weeks per month to meet with partners, attend industry events, and support business development.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Medical, dental, vision, and additional benefits to support you and your family.
• 401(k) with Traditional and Roth options, plus a company match.
• Flexible PTO and paid holidays.
• The tools and technology you need to do your best work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director