Director of Digital Content

Destination DC • Washington, DC

4d

About The Position

Destination DC (DDC) is seeking a leader to manage its digital content strategy and the team responsible for its owned digital channels, including washington.org, email and organic social media. The role translates brand, business and audience priorities into editorial, messaging, digital and social media strategies that inspire travel, support members and partners, and strengthen Washington, DC’s position as a premier global destination. As a member of the Marketing and Communications Leadership Team, the director leads manager-level experts, sets priorities and success metrics, and drives marketing technology strategy across platforms with agencies and cross-functional teams. The position provides senior-level direction on storytelling, digital experience, audience engagement, analytics, search discoverability and emerging AI-powered content experiences.

The director sets and evolves integrated content marketing strategy across web, email, organic social and emerging digital channels; leads and develops the content team; advises senior leaders; and oversees editorial direction, digital experiences, discoverability, email programs, organic social strategy, analytics, operations and agency and vendor relationships. The role collaborates across departments and with external partners to align content with organizational goals, audience needs, campaigns and the traveler journey.

Destination DC is the lead destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital. It is a private, non-profit membership organization of nearly 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination, with special emphasis on arts, cultural and historic communities. The Marketing & Communications team develops marketing strategy for B2B and B2C audiences and includes teams overseeing advertising, communications, social media, content marketing and creative development and execution.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of progressive experience in content marketing, digital marketing, editorial, communications or related work, including demonstrated people-management experience.
• At least 5 years of management experience with proven leadership and coaching skills, including the ability to set clear performance expectations and establish efficient team workflows.
• Strong cross-functional leadership, prioritization and decision-making skills, with the ability to move complex work forward.
• Exceptional writing, copy editing, presentation and executive communication skills, with strong judgment in brand voice, audience needs and stakeholder management.
• Ability to analyze performance data, identify trends and translate insights into clear strategic decisions.
• Strong strategic understanding of websites, CMS platforms, CRM platforms, digital analytics, SEO and AI-driven discoverability, email marketing and social media.
• Demonstrated ability to lead integrated content strategy across web, email, social media and campaigns and translate organizational goals into priorities and measurable outcomes.
• Experience managing agencies, vendors or technology partners.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in digital marketing, communications, journalism or a related field.
• Experience in destination marketing, travel, tourism, hospitality or a membership-based organization.
• Experience with platforms such as Drupal, Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Moz, BrightEdge, Act-On, Wrike and social media management tools.
• Knowledge of AP Style, digital accessibility and content governance best practices.
• Genuine affinity for Washington, DC and understanding of its neighborhoods, arts and culture, sports, dining, hotels and hospitality partners.

Responsibilities

• Set and evolve integrated content marketing strategy across web, email, organic social and emerging digital channels, aligning priorities with organizational goals, paid media campaigns, audience needs and the traveler journey.
• Lead, coach and develop the content marketing team; establish ownership, goals, workflows and performance expectations, and support professional development.
• Advise the Chief Marketing Officer, Marketing & Communications leadership and Senior Staff on content opportunities, risks, resources and changing audience behavior.
• Set editorial and messaging direction for major campaigns, landing pages, email, social content, publications and high-visibility initiatives.
• Oversee storytelling voice and quality standards to ensure content is audience-focused, on brand and tailored to leisure travelers, meeting planners, members, partners and industry audiences.
• Provide strategic oversight for washington.org and related digital experiences, partnering with staff, IT, agencies and vendors on content governance, user experience, accessibility, site improvements and marketing technology initiatives.
• Own the content strategy for organic discoverability across traditional and AI-driven search, using analytics and search intelligence to guide SEO, content authority and editorial priorities.
• Evaluate AI-powered visitor experiences and emerging technologies, guiding content governance in accordance with DDC’s approved AI Policy, quality assurance and measurement.
• Provide strategic oversight for consumer and stakeholder email programs, including audience strategy, editorial planning, testing, governance and performance improvement.
• Guide organic social strategy through the social team, connecting platform plans with campaigns, web content, creator amplification opportunities, member visibility and broader Marketing & Communications priorities.
• Define content marketing KPIs, interpret performance and audience data, and communicate insights and recommendations to leadership and internal stakeholders.
• Lead the content function in weekly meetings, assist in cross-department planning and creative services, and translate business needs into priorities while balancing audience impact, brand standards, team capacity and deadlines.
• Manage relevant agency and vendor relationships and contribute to annual planning, goal setting, resource allocation and budget recommendations.
• Review web, search, email and social performance with team leads and adjust priorities based on audience behavior and business needs.
• Partner with Marketing & Communications leaders, internal departments, agencies and vendors on campaigns, digital experiences and emerging opportunities.
• Prepare and deliver presentations internally and to stakeholders, highlighting the trackable impact of digital content.
• Provide weekly status reports; participate in formal performance reviews conducted twice per year and as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed