Tourism Director

Location: Independence, Iowa, with travel throughout Buchanan County.
Position Type: Full-time with flexible scheduling based on job duties and organizational needs.
Reports To: Buchanan County Economic Development Commission (BCEDC) Executive Director.
Application Review: Applications received by Monday, August 24, 2026, will receive first consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

The Buchanan County Economic Development Commission is seeking a creative, motivated, and community-minded professional to serve as Buchanan County Tourism Director. This position leads countywide tourism marketing and development, promotes local businesses and visitor experiences, and provides marketing and social media support for BCEDC.

The Director will be a strong communicator, relationship builder, self-starter, and independent worker who can manage multiple priorities, create engaging content, pursue grants and sponsor ships, grow membership and revenue, and move projects from concept to completion. Applicants with strong demonstrated skills from professional, volunteer, entrepreneurial, academic, or independent work, are encouraged to apply.

• Marketing and Communications
  • Build on and continue to implement a countywide tourism marketing plan that promotes Buchanan County communities, attractions, events, outdoor recreation, businesses, and quality-of-life opportunities.
  • Manage tourism and BCEDC social media, websites, email communications, photography, video, digital advertising, and other promotional platforms.
  • Create consistent, engaging content and maintain professional branding across all marketing channels. Proficiency with Canva or related platforms is essential.
  • Identify new audiences, travel trends, partnerships, and promotional opportunities that increase visitation and engagement.
• Publications, Membership, and Revenue
  • Lead the development, advertising sales, production, and distribution of the annual Buchanan County Visitors Guide and Buchanan County Amish Map.
  • Build relationships with the Amish community and promote participating businesses and visitor experiences.
  • Plan and carry out the annual membership drive, recruit and retain members and maintain accurate records.
  • Secure advertisers, sponsors, cooperative marketing partners, and other revenue-generating opportunities that support tourism programs.
• Tourism and Partnership Development
  • Build strong relationships with communities, attractions, lodging properties, restaurants, retailers, event organizers, businesses, members, and tourism partners.
  • Support the development of events, attractions, trails, public art, visitor amenities, and other tourism-related projects.
  • Plan, coordinate, and support countywide festivals, special events, familiarization tours, media visits, and promotional initiatives.
  • Represent Buchanan County at community, regional, and statewide meetings, conferences, and tourism events.
• Grants, Administration, and Performance
  • Research, write, submit, and administer grants that support tourism, marketing, community development, recreation, events, and visitor experiences.
  • Coordinate project budgets, contracts, vendors, reimbursements, reports, documentation, deadlines, and routine Quick Books accounting.
  • Develop annual goals, work plans, content calendars, publication schedules, membership plans, and budget recommendations.
  • Track results through visitor data, digital analytics, campaign performance, membership and advertising revenue, and regular reports to BCEDC leadership.

• A specific degree or set number of years of experience is not required. Candidates will be evaluated on demonstrated skills, relevant experience, community involvement, creativity, leadership, and their ability to successfully perform the position.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, public-speaking, and persuasive communication skills.
• Experience or demonstrated ability in marketing, social media, content creation, photography, video, graphic design, website management, publications, or related creative work.
• Proficiency with Canva is required. Experience with website platforms, email marketing tools, digital advertising, photography, or video-editing tools is preferred.
• Ability to build positive relationships with businesses, community organizations, volunteers, elected officials, members, tourism partners, and the Amish community.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects, records, budgets, and deadlines.
• Experience with basic Quick Books accounting or the ability to learn it with assistance.
• Ability to research and learn to write grants, develop sponsor ships, support membership growth, and manage reporting requirements.
• A self-starter and independent worker who takes initiative, solves problems, adapts to changing priorities, and follows projects through to completion while collaborating effectively with others.
• Tourism, hospitality, marketing, economic or community…