Director of Operations

Southern Delaware Tourism (SDT) promotes sustainable, year-round tourism throughout Sussex County and works with chambers of commerce, tourism businesses, community partners and government stakeholders to strengthen the destination and its economic impact. SDT is entering a significant period of organizational growth and strategic implementation, with an increased focus on countywide coordination, stronger market intelligence, measurable performance and year-round visitor demand.

The Director of Operations (DOO) is SDT's senior operational leader and a key partner to the Executive Director. The DOO turns organizational strategy into disciplined execution by leading internal operations, team performance, marketing coordination, advancement/outreach and day-to-day service to chambers of commerce and tourism partners.

This role is designed for a strategic operator who can move comfortably between big-picture priorities and practical execution. The successful candidate will build structure, accountability and cross-functional alignment while helping SDT expand its impact across coastal and inland Sussex County.

• Translate SDT's strategic plan and Executive Director priorities into annual and quarterly work plans with clear owners, milestones, timelines and resource needs.
• Lead day-to-day organizational execution, resolve cross-functional obstacles and establish consistent operating rhythms across the team.
• Maintain operational visibility across projects, contracts, renewals, partner commitments and key delivery deadlines.
• Identify process improvements that strengthen accountability, reduce duplication and improve service delivery.

• Directly supervise, coach and evaluate the Marketing Manager and Digital Content Manager, as well as the Communications Manager if and when the position is added.
• Establish clear goals, development plans and workload expectations for each direct report; coordinate Digital Content deliverables with Marketing while maintaining direct supervisory accountability for both positions.

• Set marketing and outreach priorities in alignment with the Executive Director, SDT destination goals, audience trends, research and state tourism opportunities.
• Provide strategic direction to the Marketing Manager while preserving Marketing ownership of campaign development, media mix, vendor relationships, brand standards and day-to-day marketing execution; directly supervise Digital Content and align its production priorities with the Marketing Manager.
• Maintain one coordinated event and campaign calendar and ensure marketing, digital content and partner requests are prioritized against organizational capacity.
• Use performance data and partner feedback to refine campaigns, resource allocation and countywide marketing support.

• Serve as SDT's primary operational liaison to local chambers of commerce and tourism partners, coordinating shared priorities, campaign support, partner requests and reporting.
• Connect state-level opportunities, visitor research and market trends with local campaigns, seasonal needs and geographic growth opportunities.
• Improve collaboration through shared calendars, brand resources, content systems and coordinated production where appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen partner value, reduce unnecessary duplication and improve the reach of tourism initiatives across Sussex County.

• Ensure reliable communications coverage and clear coordination of media inquiries, public relations needs, familiarization (FAM) activity and partner communications.
• Work with the Executive Director, Marketing and Digital teams, chambers and outside communications support to maintain consistent messaging and service continuity.
• When the future Communications Manager is added, provide strategic oversight while that role leads media relations and community advocacy.
• Track communications demand and service gaps so staffing and resource recommendations are based on demonstrated need.

• Prepare costed work plans, resource requests and operating updates for the Executive Director.
• Maintain a consolidated view of operational, marketing, partner and communications performance, using clear metrics and documented baselines.
• Coordinate program evidence and reporting for…