Tourism Partner Engagement Manager

• Salary: $63,585.60 – $98,633.60 Annually
• Location:
  
  Des Moines – 50021 – Polk County, IA
• Job Type: Full-time
• Agency: 269 Iowa Economic Development Authority
• Opening Date: 09/25/2026
• Closing Date: 10/5/2026 11:59 PM Central
• Point of Contact: bet

From welcoming communities to unforgettable attractions, Iowa’s tourism industry thrives through strong relationships and shared ideas. The Tourism Partner Engagement Manager with the Iowa Economic Development Authority connects tourism partners across the state with the programs, resources, funding opportunities, and educational experiences that help Iowa remain a compelling destination.

This collaborative, outward-facing role builds relationships with tourism businesses, local governments, and industry organizations; administers tourism grant and partnership programs; coordinates educational events; and keeps partners informed and engaged. The position requires significant statewide travel and regular interaction with tourism stakeholders throughout Iowa.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority is dedicated to making Iowa the choice for people and business by building partnerships, leveraging resources, and strengthening economic and community vitality. IEDA administers several state and federal programs focused on business and community development to reach its goals of assisting individuals, communities, and businesses. Whether it is an enterprise or startup, a rural community seeking to preserve its history and highlight its arts and culture, or a community recovering from a disaster, IEDA creates opportunities for Iowans to thrive.

The Tourism Partner Engagement Manager supports IEDA’s mission by serving as a primary connection between the Iowa Tourism Office and tourism partners across the state. This role develops and implements industry outreach and engagement efforts, communicates opportunities and resources, gathers stakeholder feedback, and helps tourism organizations successfully participate in programs and initiatives.

The position also coordinates the Iowa Tourism Marketing Grant Program, supports industry education and engagement events, and develops timely communications that keep tourism partners informed and connected.

• Building and strengthening tourism industry relationships by serving as a primary point of contact for tourism stakeholders, conducting partner meetings and presentations, responding to inquiries, and maintaining strong working relationships with tourism businesses, local governments, and industry organizations.
• Leading industry outreach and engagement by developing annual outreach plans, communicating Tourism Office programs and opportunities, and gathering stakeholder feedback and industry insights to help inform programs, strategic priorities, and marketing efforts.
• Administering tourism grant and funding programs by coordinating applicant outreach, technical assistance, application review, scoring, budget and reimbursement review, compliance monitoring, closeout reporting, and communication with grant recipients.
• Coordinating educational programs and partner events by developing topics and content for webinars, workshops, round tables, Insider Meetings, and other industry programming based on partner and team input.
• Supporting the Iowa Tourism Conference through sponsor and exhibitor coordination, speaker support, attendee outreach, and partner engagement.
• Creating industry communications and resources by writing and editing e-newsletters, partner announcements, program updates, website content, presentation materials, and other resources.
• Maintaining accessible and timely partner information by managing the Iowa Tourism Office industry e-newsletter…