Visitor Center Director
Title: Visitor Center Director
Reports to: President of Visit Savannah
Send Resumes to: DGeeslin@VisitSavannah.com (no phone calls please)
Overview of Position:
Responsible for overseeing operations of multiple visitor centers located throughout Savannah, Chatham County, and Tybee Island. Responsibility includes management of 2 full time and 22 part time staff as well as budgeting and financial management of all visitor centers and gift shops.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Make sure all Visitor Center locations are open during published hours of operation and have well trained, informed, and friendly staff to interact with visitors.
- Work cooperatively with the state operated I-95 location and periodically check the Visit Savannah displays there.
- Responsible for managing the budget and controlling expenses at all locations.
- Make sure that VIC employees keep Insider Guides, maps and all member brochures well stocked so that visitors have as much member information and literature as possible.
- Responsible for contacting Coastal Heritage Society about any building maintenance issues, such as AC, heating, lighting, etc. at the MLK site.
- Work cooperatively with Coastal Heritage Society and the City in overseeing the overall operations of the MLK visitor center.
- Work cooperatively with the City staff in overseeing the River St. visitor center.
- Interview job applicants and checks references.
- Responsible for all counseling, reprimands, and dismissal of staff.
- Assist new members with the guidelines for placing brochures at any of the VIC sites.
- Promotes the VIC as a marketing venue for tourism related member businesses.
- Oversee the operations and sales of the VIC gift shop.
- Review and approve biweekly payroll to be sent to Finance.
- Review monthly staff schedules.
- Approve all invoices and assign expense codes to the items purchased for the gift shop and for the operation of the visitor centers.
- Enter invoices and payments into CRM if the business is a Chamber member.
- Pull monthly “Best Sellers” reports for the gift shop to see that the best items are being kept in stock.
- Send monthly gift shop inventory to the Finance Dept.
- Review and send weekly gift shop sales reports to the Finance Dept.
- Handle all employee documentation for personnel records.
- Arrange periodic educational staff meetings.
- Review monthly visitor count by state reports.
- Assist with biannual gift shop inventory.
- Enforce the City Tour Ordinance that does not allow tour companies in the VIC.
- Visit all visitor sites as frequently as is possible.
- Share any emails or information with staff regarding openings, closures, and events that would be relevant in assisting visitors.
- Provide newsletter photos and content.
- Responsible for renewing advertising contracts for signage at the City Market VIC.
Supervisory Responsibility:
Responsible for performance of all visitor center personnel. Works directly with the Operations Supervisor and Gift Shop Manager.
Education and Experience/Key Competencies:
- Must have good people skills.
- Must have management experience.
- Must have excellent communications skills for external and internal communications.
- Must be a problem solver.
- Must be able to delegate.
- Must be responsible and dependable.
- Must have computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word.
- Must be a self-starter; be self-motivated and able to multi-task.
- Must be flexible and be able to adjust to changing conditions, circumstances, and priorities.
- Must demonstrate a positive attitude and cooperate with staff.
Bachelor’s degree preferred as well as experience in related hospitality field.
Work Environment:
Working conditions are normal for an office environment. Work may require occasional weekend and/or evening hours. This position requires occasional domestic travel.
Other Information:
This job description describes the general nature and work level to be performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of job responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.