Job Title: Director of Partner Relations
Job Classification: Non-Exempt
Reports To: President & CEO
The Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance (FLTA) is an association of private- and public-sector attractions; tourism-related businesses and organizations; and county tourism offices working together to enhance and promote the 9,000-square-mile Finger Lakes region as a premier tourist destination. The Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance region, as defined in New York State legislation, includes the 14 counties of Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, and Yates.
The Director of Partner Relations is responsible for retaining, increasing and servicing FLTA’s partnership base. This position is responsible for all partnership development activities, including, but not limited to: recruitment, retention, partner database management, and partner event planning and execution. This is a full-time non-exempt position based on a work schedule of 40 hours per week. The position is remote, but candidates must live within the 14-county radius of the Finger Lakes Region of New York State while employed. Weekly travel throughout the 14-county region will be required and is a major part of the role.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Overall responsibility for development and implementation of programs, which are designed to maintain and increase the overall membership and financial support for the organization. This includes but is not limited to:
- Define an annual operational plan and strategic plan for partnership including recruitment, retention and marketing. This must include measurable goals and objectives.
- Develop and maintain a system for identifying prospective partners and plan and prepare sales literature for mailings and meetings with prospects.
- Provide a continuous re-evaluation of partnership investments to ensure compatibility with the growth of FLTA.
- Develop new incentives and ideas for partnership recruitment and retention. Develop and market benefits including products and services that increase the value of FLTA partnership.
- Constantly track partnership statistics that give an accurate picture of the current membership base, thus staying abreast of trends and therefore able to make prompt adjustments as needed to relevant strategies.
- Contact all delinquent partner accounts to determine their continued support and payment arrangements.
- Solicit feedback and regularly meet with partner businesses and sponsors to identify opportunities to increase benefits, efficiencies and cost-savings.
- Manage the partnership database and serve as the organization's chief expert with complete oversight of all database functions. Set up and maintain pertinent partner records.
- Coordinate and manage all partner events, including but not limited to, Annual Literature Exchange, Partner Mixers, Educational Seminars, Annual Holiday Party, etc.
- Responsible for producing and distributing invitations, promotions, appreciation acknowledgements, confirming attendees and speakers, RFPs and booking locations of events.
- Work in conjunction with the Director of Marketing to ensure the most up to date and accurate partner information is reflected on all consumer-facing products.
- Work with President & CEO and Director of Marketing to develop and manage yearly marketing plan and budget for the organization.
- Assist the Director of Marketing with content collection as warranted during travel around and throughout the region. Staff will work to review the upcoming consumer content calendar and work together to gather content for needed posts.
- Handle all other duties as assigned by President & CEO.
Required Skills:
- The Director of Partner Relations must be energetic, imaginative, well-organized with an attention to detail, and capable of functioning in an independent manner while also supporting a team environment.
- The ability to work with diverse businesses and personalities in a customer focused manner.
- Excellent verbal and written skills as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office, web-based software member management databases, and various desktop publishing programs.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement event strategy and success in events management.
- Ability to strategically manage the overall partnership program, ranging from financial planning to sales and marketing strategies.
- Ability to motivate peers, volunteers and staff in the organizational vision and mission of partnership and ensure that partnership is consistently a top priority for the organization.
Additional Skills:
- A background or work history in content capture and creation, particularly for the tourism industry, is not required but would be preferred.
Education / Experience:
- Four-year college degree preferred or a combination of education and at least three years of experience in tourism sales, or chamber of commerce or association sales; and/or a background in membership development, fundraising, marketing, event management or related field with demonstrated progressive advancement.
Certificates and Licenses: Valid Driver’s License
Salary: $50,000/year
To Apply: Submit a cover letter and resume to Meghan Nulty, President and CEO, at meghan@fingerlakes.org no later than February 14, 2025.
