Vice President of Community Engagement

Vice President of Community Engagement 

About Us 

Travel Lane County promotes the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region to support a resilient, year-round and countywide economy that enriches our communities. Our team is collaborative, innovative and driven by a shared commitment to serving the place we call home. 

The Role 

We're seeking a Vice President of Community Engagement to serve as a community leader and partner for the tourism industry throughout Lane County. In this role you’ll drive strategies that strengthen our local economy and enhance quality of life through sustainable tourism. Experience in and working with public, private, nonprofit and membership organizations provides an excellent skillset for this job. This role combines passion for community, skill in advocacy, communication and collaboration with the ability to build and sustain meaningful relationships.   

What Makes You a Great Fit 

We’re looking for someone who: 

Believes in community. You are inspired by others' passion for where they live. You are curious and love being in the know. You are as happy to support someone else’s great idea as you are to champion your own.  

Values service and collaboration. You have experience with local businesses, community leaders, media and partners in public and private sectors. You can understand the perspective of others. You are the first to jump in to help a coworker or community partner. 

Brings a problem-solving mindset. You believe anything is possible and seek solutions. You love to vision and drive big ideas while also valuing the day-to-day work it takes to make an impact. 

Is experienced. You have built and implemented strategies that aligned diverse interests. You can communicate clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences including public speaking, media relations and one-on-one conversations. You’ll step right in to creating and evaluating strategies, navigating government processes and policymaking. Mentoring and guiding a staff team inspires you. 

What to Expect 

You’ll be out in the community connecting with partners at events and meetings throughout Lane County regularly. You'll work from our downtown Eugene office alongside a team that genuinely enjoys collaborating and believes in our mission. The role offers potential for hybrid work after your first few months. We value being where our partners are, which sometimes includes morning, evening and weekend events. This keeps you connected to the real-world impact of what we do. 

Starting pay: $82,000/year (full-time, exempt) 

Benefits include: 

Medical and dental insurance 

Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave  

Employer SEP/IRA contributions after two years 

A culture built on collaboration and innovation. We champion each other's growth, step up to help when needed and stay focused on work that benefits our broader community. 

Work that matters. Your efforts directly support local businesses, community groups, government, and residents. You'll strengthen communities across Lane County while contributing to a visitor economy that benefits the people who live here. 

Position is open until filled. First review of applications will be on November 12.

Position Title: Vice President of Community Engagement 

Purpose of Position:  

Lead development and implementation of strategic community engagement, industry activation and destination development that strengthens Lane County’s economy and quality of life.  

Lead community and industry engagement strategy development, implementation and evaluation for alignment with community and industry needs.  

Build strong relationships, engagement and communications with partners in the destination including local businesses, industry associations, media, community leaders, residents, members, and partners in both the private and public sector.  

Create and communicate clear, accurate, relevant and persuasive messaging and external reports.  

Oversee destination development for sustainable, community enhancing visitation.  

Provide strategic guidance and oversight for membership development, services and events. 

Manage staff. 

Responsibilities*: 

Organizational Leadership (20%) 

Actively engage as a member of the senior management team in collaboration with the CEO. 

Serve as a staff role model in implementing Travel Lane County’s adopted organizational values. 

Develop strategies, evaluate program performance, identify improvements and advise on needed changes. 

Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of strategic thinkers and innovators. 

Cultivate a culture of service, creativity, collaboration and continuous improvement within the organization. 

Provide mentorship to staff on integrating and leveraging programs and projects.  

Work to maintain a collaborative, efficient and rewarding workplace that values the entire team. 

Assist in the implementation of destination organization best practices as a Destination Management Accreditation Program (DMAP) certified organization. 

Ensure community messaging, community connectivity, and strategic communications are integrated into all initiatives. 

Community & Government Relations (40%) 

Foster strong relationships with community stakeholders, including local businesses, government agencies and residents. 

Advocate for the benefits of tourism and support for community-based tourism 

Collaborate with community organizations to advance projects that support a vibrant year-round and county wide economy. 

Monitor industry issues, develop and implement strategies to advocate for a policy environment that supports the local industry and community. 

Facilitate the board issues committee. 

Prepare an annual government and community communications strategy for inclusion in the annual marketing plan. 

Prepare appropriate supplemental communications to government and community leaders.  

Maintain information on new infrastructure development for use in communications efforts. 

Attend public hearings, relevant open house and forum events, and represent Travel Lane County on issues as appropriate in collaboration with CEO. 

Schedule and coordinate presentations to local service groups, chambers, city councils, commissions and committees. 

Maintain presentation materials such as PowerPoint presentations, charts, handouts, etc. 

Analyze available industry data (Transient Lodging Tax (TLT), sentiment, etc.) to inform organizational strategy. 

Monitor TLT use across the county to ensure transparency and legal use of funds. 

Educate elected leaders on the benefits of the visitor economy and the strategic investment of TLT funds. 

Local Media Relations (10%) 

Lead local media and communications strategy that supports Travel Lane County’s mission and elevates Travel Lane County’s role and reputation as a trusted leader and partner. 

Establish strong relationships and communications with print, broadcast and digital media throughout Lane County. 

Generate regular local media communications on Travel Lane County programs and visitor industry updates and issues. 

Conduct interviews and coordinate interviews for senior staff as content appropriate. 

Secure and track coverage on a regular basis in local print, digital and broadcast media. 

Monitor news in Lane County for issues that affect the tourism industry. 

Share visitor industry related items of interest from area media to Travel Lane County staff.  

Member, Partner and Development Program Oversight (15%) 

Prepare annual membership/partnership sales and services strategy for annual marketing plan. 

Prepare annual destination development and community engagement strategy for annual marketing plan. 

Support staff implementing membership, destination development and community engagement plans providing leadership, guidance and strategic evaluation. 

Maintain/update media and member sections of website, posting releases, reports, and updating content. 

Facilitate relationships between local media and member businesses. 

External Reports (5%) 

Generate monthly departmental report quantifying results.  

Generate external reports (from internal reports) for media and use by CEO.  

Community Campaigns (10%) 

Develop communications strategy, internally and externally, to effectively articulate the long-term benefits of tourism to residents and stakeholders. 

Collaborate with Integrated Marketing team on in-market campaigns to connect residents with the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region, Travel Lane County, and the Visitor Center as a trip planning resource and parking permit retail location. 

Participate in special projects and support as appropriate. 

Other Duties as Assigned 

 *(Percentages provided as a guide only. Work will vary over time.) 

Position Requirements: 

Minimum of 10+ years of experience in developing and implementing strategic public affairs, communications and community development including advocacy, community organizing or other strategies that build connection and collaboration with diverse interests, preferably across multiple geographic communities. Experience in Lane County or similar destination, destination organization, membership organization or association, hospitality (lodging, guide or outfitter, food & beverage etc.), economic or related fields is a plus. 

5+ years supervisory experience. 

Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. 

Ability to think critically, analyze complex issues, and provide innovative solutions. 

Passion for serving the community. 

Professional and enthusiastic attitude. 

Ability to successfully collaborate with a diverse range of people. 

Public speaking experience. 

Media relations experience, including media releases, interviews, and results tracking. 

Proficient computer skills including CRM systems (Simpleview preferred), Microsoft Office 365 newsletter software etc. 

Data analysis and reporting. 

Valid Oregon driver’s license, clean driving record and ability to drive a company van. 

Ability to set up and take down information table with brochures and other materials including tables, tents, etc   

Able to work evenings and weekends when necessary. 

Compensation/Hours: 

This is a full-time, salaried, Executive Exempt position with managerial duties based in our downtown Eugene office. This position regularly includes community events and activities throughout Lane County and occasional shifts in the visitor center. This position is eligible to work a hybrid in-office/remote schedule after 3 months. 

Benefits include medical and dental insurance as well as paid holidays, vacation and sick leave.  Employee eligible for employer contribution into SEP/IRA after 2 years of employment. 

This position reports to the President & CEO.