Director of Business Development

About Visit Carlsbad

Visit Carlsbad is the Destination Marketing Organization for the coastal city of Carlsbad, California and is funded through the Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District.

Our mission is to promote and elevate the perception of Carlsbad through innovative programs that enhance the visitor economy while preserving our exceptional quality of life. We showcase the unique and outstanding offerings that exist in Carlsbad both as a top-tier leisure and group/business destination. Partnerships and relationship-building are central to our organization’s success while providing high value support to local stakeholders.

We are a small, tight-knit team who values collaboration, inclusion, transparency, curiosity, enthusiasm, wellbeing, and intention.

Position Overview

The Director of Business Development leads Visit Carlsbad’s business development department and is responsible for driving group, meetings, and travel trade opportunities that support the visitor economy and advance Visit Carlsbad’s strategic objectives.

This position is both a department leader and a hands-on executer. The Director develops business development strategies, establishes department goals, manages team performance, strengthens hospitality partner relationships, and ensures programs are executed with a high level of organization, accountability, and follow-through. The role requires a leader who can set direction, make sound decisions, evaluate competing priorities, allocate resources effectively, and keep the team focused on measurable outcomes.

The Director of Business Development is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the President & CEO.

Key Responsibilities

· Lead the Business Development department with clear goals, priorities, accountability, and regular progress check-ins

· Develop and execute business development strategies that support Visit Carlsbad’s strategic plan, group business goals, partner needs, and visitor economy objectives

· Build and maintain strong relationships with Carlsbad hotel partners, hospitality stakeholders, meeting planners, travel trade professionals, and industry contacts

· Oversee meetings, group business, travel trade, FAMs, site inspections, client experiences, sales missions, and related business development programs

· Keep the department organized and focused by establishing systems, timelines, reporting practices, and follow-up processes that ensure work is completed accurately and on time

· Track department performance, identify trends and opportunities, and recommend adjustments to priorities, strategies, and resource allocation to improve results

· Collaborate with the CEO and internal team members to align business development efforts with Visit Carlsbad’s broader marketing, communications, destination development, and partner engagement priorities

· Represent Visit Carlsbad professionally at industry events, partner meetings, client meetings, and destination-related opportunities

Qualifications

· Significant progressive experience in hospitality, tourism, destination sales, hotel sales, meetings, group business, or related business development field

· Strong understanding of the hospitality industry, including hotel sales, group business, meeting planner relationships, destination marketing, and partner collaboration

· Experience leading people, managing team performance, and providing clear direction, coaching, and accountability

· Demonstrated ability to develop strategies and also execute the details necessary to achieve results

· Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, partners, and projects simultaneously

· Proven relationship-building skills with hotel partners, clients, stakeholders, meeting planners, travel trade professionals, and industry contacts

· Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presentations, partner meetings, client communication, and internal updates

· Ability to exercise independent judgment, solve problems, and adjust plans when circumstances change

· Experience tracking performance metrics, preparing reports, and using data to inform decisions

Why Work with Us

Ø Hybrid work schedule (generally 2-3 days in office each week)

Ø Winner of Best Place to Work (Small Business) in Carlsbad

Ø Certified Green Business

Ø Certified Kindness Company

Ø Regular teambuilding activities, lunch & learns, and opportunities for professional development

Ø Highly competitive pay

Ø Employer paid health benefits (medical/dental/vision) 100% employee/50% dependents

Ø Employer contribution to 401(k) plan regardless of employee’s participation

Ø Generous PTO & Holidays

How to Apply

Please submit cover letter and resume to ***email_hidden*** with the subject line: Director of Biz Dev 26. No phone calls or walk-ins please.

Salary Range

$110,000 to $130,000 per year plus bonus