Hid Administrator

City of Irvine•Irvine, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Irvine is seeking an experienced destination marketing and hospitality professional to serve as the senior staff lead for Destination Irvine, the City’s destination marketing organization funded through the Hotel Improvement District (HID). Destination Irvine promotes Irvine as a premier Southern California destination, driving hotel demand, visitor spending, and economic activity that strengthen the local economy. Reporting to the Director of Economic Development, the HID Administrator provides strategic and operational leadership for Destination Irvine and the HID program. The position leads destination sales, marketing, communications, hotelier and community partnerships, research and analytics, budget and contract administration, team development, and HID governance. The ideal candidate will bring substantial hospitality and tourism experience; demonstrated success in destination demand generation, stakeholder engagement, and measurable return on investment; strong strategic and analytical skills; and a collaborative, relationship-driven leadership style.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in hospitality management, tourism, destination management, marketing, business administration, public administration, communications, economic development, or a closely related field.
Six years of progressively responsible professional experience in destination marketing, hospitality, tourism, hotel sales, economic development, or a closely related field.
The required experience must include at least two years of experience managing professional staff, programs, contracts, or comparable organizational functions.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Experience with a destination marketing organization, convention and visitor’s bureau, hotel improvement district, tourism business improvement district, hotel sales organization, hospitality organization, or comparable public-private partnership is highly desirable.
A master’s degree in a related field is desirable.
Demonstrated success developing and executing destination sales and marketing strategies that generate measurable hotel demand and economic impact.
Strong knowledge of hotel sales, tourism economics, visitor behavior, demand segmentation, and key hotel-performance measures, including occupancy, average daily rate, revenue per available room, room nights, and return on investment.
Experience leading professional staff and managing consultants, agencies, contracts, budgets, procurement activities, and complex work programs.
Exceptional relationship-building and consensus-building skills with hotel owners and operators, public officials, committee members, business leaders, community partners, vendors, media, and regional tourism organizations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting executive-level recommendations in public settings.
Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional travel.
Sound judgment, discretion, creativity, and tact, with a collaborative and service-oriented leadership style aligned with the City's values of Humility, Innovation, Empathy, Passion, and Integrity.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the HID program and Destination Irvine, including destination sales, digital marketing, website and visitor-information platforms, marketing and communications, partnerships, research and analytics, administrative functions, and other program activities.
Develop, implement, and evaluate an integrated destination strategy that advances hotel demand, visitor spending, Irvine’s destination brand, and a high-quality visitor experience.
Design and implement strategic sales and marketing initiatives targeting corporate group, SMERF, business transient, and leisure travelers to grow hotel occupancy, room nights, visitor spending, and economic activity at Irvine businesses, attractions, venues, and community assets.
Establish, monitor, and communicate meaningful performance measures for sales and marketing efforts, including leads, booked room nights, economic impact, occupancy, average daily rate, revenue per available room, website and campaign performance, return on investment, partner engagement, and other relevant measures.
Administer the Hotel Improvement District in accordance with the resolution, governing documents, applicable laws, City policies, approved work plans, and budget requirements.
Serve as the primary liaison among assessed hotels, the HID Operating Committee, City leadership, City departments, destination partners, and contracted service providers; build sustained stakeholder confidence in the value, performance, and long-term stability of the HID program.
Collaborate with hotel partners to understand market conditions, identify hotel-industry priorities, communicate program results, and develop strategies that support a stable funding base and future HID renewal efforts.
Work closely and collaboratively with other Orange County destination marketing organizations, Visit California, regional partners, and community stakeholders to leverage synergistic opportunities, resources, and cooperative marketing initiatives.
Represent and promote Destination Irvine, the HID program, and Irvine’s visitor economy at industry conferences, trade shows, sales missions, community meetings, media opportunities, and other appropriate events.
Work closely with the Director of Economic Development and the HID Operating Committee to develop, implement, and periodically update annual and long-range strategic plans, work programs, and performance targets.
Identify key priorities, emerging trends, market opportunities, and risks affecting the local tourism economy, hotel industry, and destination marketing industry; provide timely recommendations to the Director of Economic Development and HID Operating Committee.
Advise and guide the HID Operating Committee on matters related to destination marketing, hotel demand generation, tourism economics, visitor experience, market conditions, strategic investments, and program performance.
Develop the annual HID operating budget in collaboration with the HID Operating Committee and the Director of Economic Development; monitor revenues and expenditures, forecast financial needs, and recommend resource allocations and adjustments as appropriate.
Coordinate with the appropriate City departments on HID assessment administration, financial reporting, budgeting, procurement, contracting, records management, and other administrative requirements.
Oversee the procurement, negotiation, administration, and evaluation of professional service contracts, marketing agencies, media buys, research and technology subscriptions, sponsorships, cooperative marketing agreements, and other program investments in accordance with City purchasing and contracting requirements.
Identify, evaluate, and invest in research and analytical tools that identify market trends, developing markets, hotel performance, visitor behavior, campaign results, and return on investment.
Continually evaluate program needs, market conditions, and the effectiveness of the strategic plan and annual work program; recommend and implement adjustments as appropriate.
Lead, supervise, develop, and evaluate HID program staff; foster a results-driven, collaborative, and high-performing team; provide regular feedback, coaching, and performance evaluations.
Manage and evaluate the work of consultants, agencies, vendors, and other contracted service providers to ensure timely delivery, quality performance, fiscal stewardship, and alignment with approved objectives.
Develop meeting agendas, staff reports, presentations, and recommendations for HID Operating Committee meetings, City Council meetings, and other public meetings, as assigned; promote informed and active participation by committee members and hoteliers.
Ensure the preparation and timely distribution of meeting packets, including properly noticed agendas, financial reports, performance results, and supporting materials for discussion and action.
Ensure sound governance, business ethics, financial responsibility, transparency, and compliance with applicable requirements, including public meetings, public records, conflict-of-interest, procurement, and other relevant regulatory and City requirements.
Coordinate destination reputation management and visitor communications related to incidents, major events, emergencies, or other circumstances that may affect travel, hotels, visitor experience, or Irvine’s destination brand.
Identify opportunities to strengthen destination readiness and visitor experience through collaboration with hotels, attractions, venues, transportation providers, event organizers, businesses, public agencies, and community partners.
Maintain and increase professional and technical knowledge through participation in industry conferences, professional associations, training, and other continuing-development opportunities.