Chief Executive Officer

Job Title:
Chief Executive Officer – Full Time Role

Salary: £55k - £70k salary and pension

Annual leave: 25 days + bank holidays

Reports To:
Chair of the Board

Company:
English Riviera BID Company Ltd

Role

Purpose:

The Chief Executive provides strategic, organisational leadership and operational oversight of the English Riviera BID Company, which is the official Destination Marketing Organisation of the English Riviera, funded through a levy on local tourism and hospitality businesses.

The role leads the direction of destination marketing campaigns to position the English Riviera as the UK’s leading coastal resort and to drive year-round visitor growth with a focus on increasing both overnight stays and day visitors.

The post-holder will act as the principal ambassador for English Riviera tourism and media spokesperson on behalf of the company.

• Provide overall responsibility for the operation and direction of the ERBID Company, ensuring the delivery of value to levy payers.
• Oversee and manage the annual budget and income generation activities.
• Champion the English Riviera brand and encourage its use locally and nationally.
• Develop and lead the long-term destination marketing strategy for the English Riviera, ensuring alignment with the ERBID Business Plan and strategic priorities.
• Maintain continuous engagement and consultation with levy payers, ensuring the Company demonstrates clear value for money and accountability through regular reporting on outcomes and return on investment.
• Lead the Company’s public affairs activity, advocating on behalf of levy payers and influencing local, regional and national policy, funding and investment decisions that affect the visitor economy.
• Serve as the resort’s tourism ambassador and spokesperson, giving the English Riviera tourism sector a voice and ensuring high-profile visibility for the destination.
• Collaborate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including Torbay Council (and successor authority), Devon & Partners LVEP, Visit Devon, Visit England and other local, regional and national partners to integrate the English Riviera into broader economic and tourism initiatives.
• Identify and exploit opportunities across visitor markets, digital innovation, industry partnerships and commercial activity to drive growth and additional income.
• Lead the monitoring of destination performance and benchmarking against competitor destinations.
• Lead the Company’s response to crisis communications and reputation management issues affecting the destination.
• Attend Board Meetings and provide the Board with strategic advice and guidance to support the delivery of the Business Plan, providing a monthly report.
• Deliver and oversee key performance indicators to measure delivery of the Business Plan and report outcomes to the Board and levy payers.
• Lead on the development, review and renewal of Business Plans and future BID ballots.

• Prepare and monitor the annual budget, and produce monthly management accounts in conjunction with the Company Accountant for reporting to the Board.
• Lead on the effective management of the annual budgets, protecting cash flow and ensuring business continuity.
• Lead on strategic, operational and financial risk management.
• Lead on achieving income targets and maximising sustainable income opportunities.
• Oversee, monitor and maximise annual levy collection, working with Torbay Council (and successor authority).
• Oversee the development and submission of external funding bids to support the work of the Company.
• Set clear priorities for the ERBID sponsorship of key events, working in partnership with Torbay Council (and successor authority) and event organisers.
• Evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of investments made by the Company.
• Manage any third-party contracts and related negotiations.

• Develop and oversee the delivery of an integrated destination marketing strategy that aligns with the objectives of the Business Plan, leveraging digital, social media, PR, and traditional channels to raise awareness of the English Riviera and drive increased year-round visitor…