Chief Executive Officer

Belfast is competing in a fast-moving destination environment. Visitor expectations, technology, sustainability requirements, international connectivity, business events, cruise, major cultural moments and changing consumer behaviour all create opportunities and challenges for the city region. The next Chief Executive will be expected not simply to manage an established organisation, but to shape its future direction, influence the wider visitor economy and ensure Visit Belfast continues to demonstrate relevance and value to funders, partners, communities, visitors and the tourism industry As Chief Executive of Visit Belfast, you will have responsibility for the provision of strategic, inspirational and transformational leadership to the organisation and act as the principal ambassador, advocate and public voice for Belfast as a leading international business and leisure visitor destination.

Reporting to the Chair and Board of Directors, you will have overall responsibility for the strategic direction, performance, reputation, financial sustainability and organisational effectiveness of Visit Belfast. Leading the development and delivery of the organisations strategy and business plans, ensuring that Visit Belfast fulfils its role as the official Destination Marketing and Management Organisation (DMMO) for the Belfast city region and maximises the contribution that tourism makes to the citys economic, social, cultural and environmental prosperity You will lead Visit Belfast through its next phase of development, shaping the future direction and success of the destination.

This will require a sophisticated understanding of the global tourism and business events landscape, changing consumer behaviour, international markets, investment, connectivity, sustainability, digital transformation and the competitive positioning of Belfast and Northern Ireland in global markets. You will be responsible for ensuring that Belfast is positioned as a compelling, distinctive, sustainable and inclusive destination for leisure visitors, business events, cruise and day visitors, while ensuring that the value generated by tourism is maximised for businesses, communities, citizens and the wider city region.

The successful candidate will be an outstanding strategic leader with the ability to lead Visit Belfast through its next phase of development, working effectively across the public, private and third sectors and representing Belfast confidently at local, national and international level. The competition is intended to attract candidates with relevant executive-level capability from a range of backgrounds. Candidates do not need to have previously been a DMMO Chief Executive.

Equivalent senior leadership experience will be considered by reference to the scale, scope, complexity and accountability of the role rather than job title alone

Skills:

Strategic Leadership Corporate Strategy Strategic Vision Strategic Planning Strategic development Strategic Financial Planning Corporate Development