Executive Director

Sports and Recreation Hotel, Gaming, Leisure, and Travel

Executive Director

Discover Kalispell | Destination Marketing Organization & Tourism Business Improvement District
Kalispell, Montana

Discover Kalispell is seeking a bold, strategic, and community-minded Executive Director to lead one of Montana’s most visible and influential destination organizations into its next era.

With the retirement of longtime Executive Director Diane Medler
, Discover Kalispell is poised for its next chapter — one that requires vision, courage, collaboration, and a deep understanding of how tourism, community, and economic vitality intersect.

If you are energized by the opportunity to shape a destination’s story
, steward growth responsibly, and lead at the intersection of marketing, business, and community impact — this role is for you.

Discover Kalispell is the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) and Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) for Kalispell, Montana — the gateway to Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley.

Our work goes beyond promotion. We champion year-round visitation, develop group business and sports tourism, support local tourism-dependent businesses, and collaborate with community and government partners to ensure tourism strengthens Kalispell’s economy while protecting the quality of life that makes this place special
.

Kalispell is growing, evolving, and balancing opportunity with responsibility. Discover Kalispell plays a critical role in that conversation.

The Executive Director is the chief strategist, connector, and ambassador for Discover Kalispell.

This role demands a leader who can think big, execute well, and build trust across a wide range of stakeholders — from hospitality businesses and city leadership to regional partners and residents.

You will:

• Set the vision for destination marketing and community stewardship
• Lead a respected organization with strong momentum and partnerships with a team of 3 fulltime staff
• Help shape how Kalispell grows, welcomes, and tells its story to the world

• Provide bold, forward-looking leadership for Discover Kalispell’s mission and operations
• Develop and execute destination marketing strategies that position Kalispell as a compelling, year-round destination
• Oversee the Tourism Business Improvement District and lodging tax funds, including budgeting, assessments, reporting, and compliance
• Lead staff, agencies, contractors, and marketing partners with clarity and purpose
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and advocate for tourism in Kalispell
• Build and sustain strong relationships with tourism businesses, local government, chambers, and regional partners
• Collaborate on community issues where tourism intersects with infrastructure, workforce, housing, and quality of life
• Track performance metrics, visitor data, and industry trends to inform strategy and investment
• Work closely with the Tourism Board of Directors to advance organizational goals and accountability

The ideal candidate is a confident, collaborative leader who understands both the power and responsibility of destination marketing.

You bring:

• Proven leadership experience in destination marketing, tourism, economic development, nonprofit leadership, or a related field
• A strong grasp of branding, marketing strategy, and visitor experience
• Experience working with boards, public entities, and diverse stakeholder groups
• Financial and organizational management skills, including budgets and contracts
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and public presence
• A commitment to sustainable tourism and community stewardship
• The courage to lead in a dynamic, high-visibility environment

Preference for candidate from Montana and/or Mountain West region.

Tourism is one of Kalispell’s leading economic drivers — and how it is managed matters.

The next Executive Director of Discover Kalispell will help define:

• How the community grows
• How visitors experience Kalispell
• How tourism supports local businesses and residents
• H…