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Destination Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Manager, Environmental Programs

Miami, FL · On-site

$111.90K - $115.70K/yr

Manage the environmental programs for Private Destination development, including internal (employees) and external (contractors) throughout the land development lifecycle (land selection through ...

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$33K

$77.4K

$133K

How much do destination development jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for destination development in the United States is $77,438.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $90,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Destination Development job?

A Destination Development job focuses on enhancing and improving a location to attract more visitors while ensuring sustainable growth. Professionals in this role work with local governments, tourism boards, and businesses to develop infrastructure, experiences, and marketing strategies that boost tourism. They analyze traveler trends, plan projects, and collaborate with stakeholders to create a thriving destination. The goal is to balance economic benefits with cultural and environmental sustainability for long-term success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Destination Development position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Destination Development, you need expertise in tourism planning, market analysis, and project management, often backed by a degree in tourism, hospitality, urban planning, or a related field. Familiarity with GIS mapping software, destination management systems, and tourism impact assessment tools is typically required, and certifications like Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) can be advantageous. Strong interpersonal skills, creativity, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to facilitate partnerships stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are critical for designing, implementing, and promoting successful destination strategies that attract visitors and foster sustainable local growth.

What are typical daily tasks and projects for someone working in Destination Development?

Professionals in Destination Development often spend their days conducting market research, meeting with community stakeholders, and collaborating with local businesses and government agencies to plan or enhance tourist offerings. Their projects can involve developing new attractions, improving infrastructure, creating promotional strategies, and assessing the economic and environmental impacts of tourism. Teamwork is a big part of the job, as they regularly coordinate efforts across marketing, urban planning, and hospitality sectors. This dynamic environment requires adaptability and creative problem-solving as priorities can shift based on community needs and tourism trends.
What cities are hiring for Destination Development jobs? Cities with the most Destination Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Destination Development jobs? The most popular types of Destination Development jobs are:
What states have the most Destination Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Destination Development jobs include:
Infographic showing various Destination Development job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,438 per year, or $37.2 per hour.

Director, Destination Development (Based in Alaska)

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

Chugiak, AK • On-site, Remote

Other

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Journey with us! Combine your career goals and sense of adventure by joining our incredible team of employees at Royal Caribbean Group. We are proud to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, and excellent career development opportunities, each offering unique ways to explore the world.

We are proud to be the vacation-industry leader with global brands - including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises - the most innovative fleet and private destinations, and the best people. Together, we are dedicated to turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations for our guests.

 

 

Royal Caribbean Group's Royal Caribbean International Brand has an exciting career opportunity for a full-time Director, Destination Development reporting to the VP, Destination Development - Alaska and West Coast.

This position will be remote and based in Alaska.

This position is not eligible for work authorization sponsorship.

 

Position Summary:

This influential leader is responsible for identifying, implementing, and executing strategic development projects and opportunities in coordination with Destination Development [DD] and Royal Caribbean Group [RCG] Leadership. You would be accountable for securing external approval of the development projects on behalf of RCG, as well as, internal RCG approvals.  You would oversee the relationship of a subset of our existing JV partners, plan and execute Board of Directors meetings, and ensure the entities maintain RCG guest experience standards. Strong written and verbal communication skills are crucial, as you would be tasked with (1) liaising with colleagues from multiple departments and among varying levels of management across the Company to track down key information needed to advance projects, (2) writing memos and preparing executive presentations summarizing information, and (3) leading presentations and negotiations with global corporate and country leaders.

 

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Develop commercial and other business strategies to meet the strategic port development needs of RCG. The Director, in coordination with DD Leadership, will support the execution of commercial strategies by managing relationships with key internal and external stakeholders across the geographical region.  The Director will interact with port authorities, trade associations, and other brands in the industry regarding port development issues. Strategic thinking, communication, negotiation, and business vision are paramount skills to success in this role. The Director will gather intelligence and find win-win opportunities for the partners and governments in the geographic locations that are core to ensuring RCG's long-term success. 
  • Manage projects along the phases, from pre-feasibility studies to definitive designs, including RFPs. The Director will guide local consultants and expert teams required for the execution of projects, including engineers and architects, evaluate the feasibility, viability, and financial sustainability of the project, and interact with local authorities to understand and analyze potential obstacles and risks in the administrative path for obtaining required authorizations. 
  • Interact with various internal and external stakeholders to gather critical information to drive projects to completion, including but not limited to Legal, Deployment, Financial, Accounting, Corporate Capital, Destination Development Strategy, Treasury, Government Relations, Corporate Public Affairs, Corporate Communications, Product Development, Marine Operations, and Port Operations to obtain internal alignment and all RCG corporate approvals ahead of document execution.
  • Communicate the strategy and deal details to the various RCG stakeholders to ensure preparation, review and execution of various legal documents to memorialize deal negotiation agreements.  Exhibit an ability to evaluate various types of legal contracts to extract synthesized key information necessary for negotiations or strategic discussions. 
  • Manage assets and implementation in existing JVs.  Upon delegation from DD Leadership, the Director will participate in the Board of Directors of that specific entity and will contribute to the management of the asset in coordination with DD Leadership and Corporate Finance. The Director will contribute to providing guidance to local General Managers and Finance teams and local consultants for the application of high-standard management policies and reporting.
  • Create and strengthen positive relationships with ports, destinations, government officials, and travel industry partners.
  • Provide daily direction and focus while taking the steps necessary to increase market share, pier availability, new terminal capacity, and new business.
  • Travel, meet, and engage key stakeholders within the destinations to listen, understand, and assist in addressing the existing challenges. Travel is expected up to 50% each month, depending on a project and business needs.
Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills:
  • BA/BS Minimum.
  • Spanish speaker preferred, other languages are a plus.
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience with an international cruise line or port development entity.
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication, consensus-building, and presentation skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and an ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects and priorities. 
  • Ability to lead a team and influence individuals of varying levels of management.
  • Task-oriented and reliable with an ability to report on status updates and anticipated timelines. 
  • A global thinker familiar with different countries and cultures is essential. 
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret financial reports, general business periodicals, contracts, legal documents, and technical reports.
  • Existing network of contacts and established business relationships.
  • Strong entrepreneurial spirit.
  • Highly motivated and self-initiating.
  • Extensive travel - ability and willingness to travel, both nationally and internationally, on a monthly basis up to 50% of the time.

We know there's a lot to consider. As you go through the application process, our recruiters will be glad to provide guidance, and more relevant details to answer any additional questions. Thank you again for your interest in Royal Caribbean Group. We hope to see you onboard soon!

 

 

It is the policy of the Company to ensure equal employment and promotion opportunity to qualified candidates without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sexuality, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Royal Caribbean Group and each of its subsidiaries prohibit and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.