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Tourism Development Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Virginia Beach

Development Officer

Virginia Beach, VA · On-site

$72.76K - $112.78K/yr

... tourism and sustainability - leading the charge to save wildlife and their ecosystems. Position Overview: The Development Officer provides executive leadership for all fundraising and philanthropic ...

MARYVILLE COLLEGE

Development Officer

Maryville, TN · On-site

$55.24K - $60.76K/yr

Development Officer Department: The Clayton Center for the Arts Title of Immediate Supervisor ... vitality, strengthen tourism, and expand opportunities for artists of all ages. Effective ...

MARYVILLE COLLEGE

Development Officer

Maryville, TN

$55.24K - $60.76K/yr

Development Officer Department: The Clayton Center for the Arts Title of Immediate Supervisor ... vitality, strengthen tourism, and expand opportunities for artists of all ages. Effective ...

Camden County

Finance Officer

Camden, NC · On-site

$97K - $112K/yr

... for the Tourism Development Authority pursuant to Session Law 2004-95, ensuring statutory ... Officers Association (preferred) or the ability to obtain within one (1) year. Physical ...

State of Louisiana

Executive Staff Officer

Baton Rouge, LA · On-site

$3.83K - $7.52K/mo

... development of agency policy and procedures, maintain spreadsheets of all tourism projects and ... These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and ...

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How much do tourism development officer jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for tourism development officer in the United States is $74,448.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $84,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Tourism Development Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Tourism Development Officer, you need strong project management, research, and marketing skills, typically backed by a degree in tourism, business, or a related field. Familiarity with tourism analytics tools, CRM systems, and relevant certifications like Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) are valuable. Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and creative problem-solving abilities set outstanding candidates apart. These competencies are crucial for developing sustainable tourism initiatives, building partnerships, and driving regional economic growth.

What are some common challenges faced by Tourism Development Officers when implementing new tourism initiatives?

Tourism Development Officers often encounter challenges such as balancing the needs and interests of local communities with those of tourists and stakeholders. Securing funding and navigating regulatory requirements can also be complex, particularly for projects impacting the environment or heritage sites. Additionally, building partnerships with local businesses and government agencies requires strong communication and negotiation skills. Adapting to changing travel trends and ensuring sustainability are ongoing priorities in the role.

What are Tourism Development Officers?

Tourism Development Officers are professionals responsible for promoting and developing tourism in a specific region or community. They work to attract visitors, enhance tourism infrastructure, and create strategies that boost the local economy through tourism. Their role often involves working with government agencies, businesses, and community groups to identify tourism opportunities, develop marketing campaigns, and ensure sustainable tourism practices. They may also organize events, improve visitor services, and monitor tourism trends to inform future development plans.
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What cities are hiring for Tourism Development Officer jobs? Cities with the most Tourism Development Officer job openings:
What states have the most Tourism Development Officer jobs? States with the most job openings for Tourism Development Officer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Tourism Development Officer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Tourism Development Officer jobs are:
Tourism Development Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tourism Development Officer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 96% Full Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 43% Physical, and 57% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,448 per year, or $35.8 per hour.

Development Officer

City of Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach, VA • On-site

$72.76K - $112.78K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Posted 15 days ago

City Of Virginia Beach rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 32 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

417th of 640 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Requisition ID:
47773
Work Location:
Museums - Aquarium (General Booth Blvd)
Pay Range:
A.15, $72,763.24 - $112,783.02
Starting Salary:
Depending upon Qualifications
Work Schedule:
See posting for details
Part Time Hours/Wk:
Job Open Date:
1/14/26
Application Deadline:
Job Duties:
Development Officer | Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Our Culture:
The mission of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is to connect people to the marine environment, inspiring a more sustainable future. With over 633,000 guests in fiscal year 2025, the Virginia Aquarium is the third most visited cultural attraction in the Commonwealth of Virginia and aspires to be a driver in conservation, education, tourism and sustainability - leading the charge to save wildlife and their ecosystems.
Position Overview:
The Development Officer provides executive leadership for all fundraising and philanthropic initiatives at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a key member of the leadership team, the Development Officer develops and executes strategies to expand and diversify revenue across all giving portfolios, including major gifts, planned giving, corporate partnerships, endowments, annual fund, and capital campaigns.
This role directs the overall development function and staff, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and strategic priorities while fostering a culture of philanthropy to support long-term institutional growth. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success in leading a high-performing development program, cultivating transformational gifts, and advancing mission-driven organizations through strategic fundraising initiatives.
Essential Functions include:
  • Direct the fundraising activities of the Virginia Aquarium, including major gifts, corporate and foundation grants, annual and capital campaigns, planned giving and special events.
  • Guide and support Board fundraising activities.
  • Supervise development staff.
  • Provide development training to staff to build a culture of philanthropy across the organization.
  • Coordinate and support Executive Director's fundraising efforts, including prospect outreach efforts, meeting preparation and follow-up, strategy development, pipeline management and gift proposals.

Organizational Structure & Mission
  • Public-private partnership between the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation
  • The Foundation handles annual and capital fundraising, animal populations, exhibits, the Stranding Response Program, conservation, scientific research, and mission-related education programs

Impact & Scale
  • Generating $257 million in economic impact for Virginia Beach in fiscal year 2022
  • Supported more than 3,000 jobs and nearly $85 million in labor income
  • Generated $5.8 million in tax revenues for Virginia Beach and $8 million for the Commonwealth of Virginia
  • $2.9 million total fundraising in fiscal year 2025

Major Capital Campaign Opportunity
  • Virginia Aquarium Future Renovation (VAFR) project is an approximately $150 million investment to replace aging infrastructure and enhance visitor experience
  • Projected to increase operations supporting 3,400 jobs and nearly $300 million in annual economic activity upon completion

Conservation & Education Programs
  • Nationally recognized Stranding Response Program that responded to over 107 marine mammal cases, 9 whale events, and 280 sea turtle strandings in 2024
  • Led more than 250 education programs reaching over 14,000 students in fiscal year 2024

Credentials
  • Accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and World Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Virginia Aquarium Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report (link)
What we offer:
The City of Virginia Beach offers a generous benefits package such as health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans. Other key benefits include:
  • Maternity/Paternity and Parental Leave
  • Employee Wellness Program
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Professional Development
  • Employee Assistance Program

Official City Job Description:
https://virginia-beach-departments-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/city/job-descriptions-pay-plans/Development-Officer-02872.pdf
Working Conditions:
https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/B.004877.1.pdf
Minimum Requirements:
MINIMUMS: Requires any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to eight (8) years in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.
Additional Requirements:
DMV Transcript: Required
CDL: Not Required
DOT History: Not Required
CPS Check: Not Required
Physical: Not Required
Respirator: Not Required
Polygraph Review: Not Required
Psychological Screening: Not Required
Attachments Required:
Preferences:
• Proven track record in fundraising, donor engagement, and securing major gifts for a nonprofit
• Strong background in donor relations, retention, stewardship, and cultivation across all giving levels
• Experience developing and managing large capital campaigns
• Experience managing endowments with multiple designations
• Experience in creating comprehensive fundraising strategies
• Familiarity with Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs and gifts of appreciated securities, with a strong understanding of the associated financial and tax considerations
• Demonstrated experience cultivating and securing planned gifts, including bequests, charitable trusts, legacy commitments, and complex gifts
• Experience in researching, writing, and/or submitting grant proposals to secure funding
• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce) and donor database management
Special Instructions:
Recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. The first review of applications will take place on February 6, 2026. Applications received after this date will be reviewed and interviews conducted ONLY if the candidate pool needs to be expanded.
  • Please complete the application in its entirety and include your resume if required by the posting.
  • Your responses to any "Supplemental Questions", if attached to this requisition, must be supported by the information you provide on your application and/or resume; or otherwise demonstrated during the hiring process.
  • You will not be able to access the details of this job ad once the closing date has passed. If you would like to retain this information, please take a screen shot or print using your browser's printing capability.

VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.
Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.

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