Visitor Services Supervisor- Tourism

Position Title: Chesapeake Visitor Center Manager

Department: PARKS, REC, & TOURISM

Division: TOURISM

Location: Chesapeake, VA

Job Type: Full Time

Pay Grade: GE13

Pay Basis: Semi‑Monthly

Starting Salary: $61,647 annually (based on qualifications and experience)

Work Schedule: Generally Monday‑Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. with occasional weekends, evenings, holidays, and overnight travel.

Additional

Work Hours:

Employees may be expected to work beyond scheduled hours for short‑term department needs or city‑wide emergencies.

Driving Requirement: Occasional use of a vehicle (valid driver’s license required).

This position oversees daily operations of the Chesapeake Visitor Center and satellite visitor centers, ensuring exceptional visitor services and maintaining Virginia State Visitor Center Certification. Responsibilities include managing visitor services, gift shop merchandising, inventory, purchasing, facility coordination, and support for tourism programs and special events.

• Operate visitor centers, including gift shop operations, merchandising, inventory management, purchasing, and visitor information resources.
• Recruit, train, schedule, coach, and evaluate staff to maintain quality visitor service and operational coverage.
• Coordinate visitor services for conventions, meetings, sporting events, group tours, and special events with planners, partners, and community organizations.
• Analyze tourism statistics, CRM databases, visitor data, and performance metrics for departmental planning and reporting.
• Handle purchasing, procurement, financial records, and administrative processes for tourism programs and operations.
• Assist in planning, implementing, and administering tourism initiatives and departmental priorities.
• Maintain and update tourism websites, destination information, promotional materials, and partner listings.
• Respond to visitor inquiries and provide information and referrals for attractions, accommodations, restaurants, meeting venues, golf courses, events, and other tourism services.
• Represent the department at industry meetings, conferences, trade shows, familiarization tours, committees, and community events to promote Chesapeake.
• Support departmental events, special projects, administrative functions, and other tourism‑related activities as assigned.

• Associate’s degree in business, marketing, tourism, or a closely related field.
• Minimum two years of full‑time equivalent experience in tourism, visitor services, or related field.
• Valid driver’s license with a driving record in compliance with City Driving Standards.
• Excellent organizational, communication, customer service, and administrative skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and build relationships with tourism partners.

• Knowledge of travel and tourism principles, basic business and administrative practices, databases, CRM, point of sale, and records management systems.
• Familiarity with attractions, events, services, and tourism resources available in the area.
• Strong communication and customer service skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office, database management, reporting systems, and related business software.
• Knowledge of marketing production and social media outlets.
• Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) certification or intent to obtain certification.
• Previous supervisory experience.

The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. For a full list of benefits and employee perks, please review the Benefits Brochure.