Vice President Economic Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JOB DESCRIPTION

WHO WE ARE

The mission of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (Los Angeles Tourism) is to improve the quality of life for all Angelenos through the economic and community benefits of tourism. Representing over 1,000 local tourism-related businesses, Los Angeles Tourism is a non-profit organization responsible for promoting the City of Angels as one of the world’s premier travel destinations through its global brand marketing and sales efforts. Tourism is a cornerstone of Los Angeles County’s economy, ranking among its top five employers. The city welcomed an astonishing 50 million visitors, fueling over 543,000 tourism-related jobs and driving more than $45 billion in business sales in 2024. Los Angeles Tourism proudly leads initiatives that celebrate and sustain this vibrant industry, including the renowned Dine LA program designed to showcase LA’s world-class culinary scene while supporting local restaurants and hospitality professionals. Dine LA has become one of the largest restaurant weeks in the nation—featuring nearly 450 restaurants across 88 neighborhoods and 33 global cuisines. As of June 2025, LA County is home to more than 180 Michelin-recognized restaurants, with 32 participating in Dine LA Restaurant Week. As one of the world’s premier sports capitals, Los Angeles is excited to host eight FIFA World Cup 26™ matches – including the U.S. Men’s National Team opening match – and welcome back the Super Bowl for the ninth time. With headquarters in Los Angeles and offices spanning London, Mumbai, Chengdu, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Sydney, Los Angeles Tourism operates on a truly global stage, sharing the city’s dynamic spirit with the world.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Vice President, Community Impact serves as a key member of the executive leadership team, partnering closely with the President & CEO to advance Los Angeles Tourism’s community engagement, sustainability, accessibility, and stakeholder relations initiatives. This role acts as the primary liaison to city and county government agencies, tourism industry partners, community organizations, and advocacy groups, while leading efforts to ensure tourism growth is responsible, equitable, and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The Vice President will drive strategic programs that enhance visitor experiences, support inclusive economic development, strengthen community relationships, and position Los Angeles as a global leader in sustainable and accessible tourism.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Working directly with the President & CEO, the Vice President, Community Impact will serve as LA Tourism’s primary liaison with the Los Angeles City Tourism Department (CTD), including direct collaboration on development and implementation of the City’s Tourism Master Plan. This role will also be responsible for working with CTD and LA Tourism’s Stakeholder Relations Committee to develop effective communications strategies to educate key external stakeholders regarding tourism’s significant positive impacts to all Angelenos. In addition, the Vice President will serve as the organization’s primary liaison with officials from the County of Los Angeles (30%)
• Serve in a leadership capacity with key external organizations, including local chambers of commerce, business improvement districts, California Travel Association, Visit California, Destinations International, and U.S. Travel Association. This includes partnering with the external consultant retained to develop a comprehensive, holistic visitor experience strategy for the greater LA region, as well as assuming long-term ownership of this initiative following completion of the consultant’s work. (20%)
• Oversee efforts to ensure that tourism to Los Angeles is delivered responsibly, equitably, and sustainably. Utilizing the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), this role leads LA Tourism’s strategies regarding sustainability (as broadly defined by the UN SDGs), with a particular focus on accessibility, workforce development, equitable economic growth, and resident perceptions of the tourism sector. The Vice President, Community Impact, will be the organization’s key subject matter expert on the UN SDGs and will be responsible for developing initial and ongoing educational programming for LA Tourism staff, Member organizations, and other key stakeholders. Advise the President & CEO on community sentiment, equity implications, and reputational risk related to tourism activity, including partnering with the organization’s Vice President, Business Intelligence, to develop appropriate mechanisms to measure resident sentiment regarding tourism to Los Angeles. (15%)
• This role will assume primary responsibility for evaluating recommendations from the comprehensive destination assessment completed by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and developing strategies to implement appropriate action items. This includes utilizing the Destination Wayfinder tool to maximize the effectiveness of these efforts and identifying global industry best practices to support this work, including developing appropriate performance benchmarks, and collaborating closely with external stakeholders whose direct involvement is necessary to achieve desired outcomes (10%)
• Serve as the organization’s primary liaison with TravelAbility, Wheel the World, Sage Inclusion, and other relevant partners and collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams to ensure that Los Angeles is a welcoming and inclusive destination for those with specific accessibility needs, including the full spectrum of disabilities. This includes identifying global best practices with direct applicability for a major urban destination, developing an inventory of accessibility efforts by LA Tourism Member organizations, and working closely with the LA Tourism Marketing Programs and LASEC teams as Los Angeles prepares to host its first Summer Paralympic Games in 2028.(10%)
• In partnership with the President & CEO, assume primary responsibility for the organization’s Community Advisory Board, who serve in an advisory capacity to ensure that LA Tourism’s ongoing work is guided by a diverse range of community voices and consistently helps to address the needs of historically underserved Angelenos as it relates to tourism. (10%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)

SOME OTHER THINGS YOU MAY DO

• In collaboration with the organization’s corporate communications team, assist the President & CEO in the development of presentation materials and messaging points for external speaking engagements regarding LA Tourism’s efforts in support of relevant UN SDGs as described above.
• Establish a regular meeting cadence with CTD and keep the President & CEO apprised of all major developments with potential impacts on the tourism sector, as well as monitoring proposed legislation at the city, county, state, and federal levels that could materially affect visitation to Los Angeles or the local tourism industry.
• Serve as an external spokesperson regarding the organization’s efforts around the UN SDGs, including selected speaking engagements, and establish a reputation as an industry leader in this space.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED

• Must possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license and be able to drive a vehicle for work-related travel as needed and as applicable to the position. [SM3]
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be willing to partake in a comprehensive background check, including a drug test, in accordance with applicable laws.
• Must be proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Dependable, great attitude, highly motivated and a team player.
• Possess strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to multi-task and meet multiple deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively across various departments.
• Ability to work in a changing environment.

NICE TO HAVES

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

COMPENSATION RANGE

$150,000 - $188,000

Bonus Eligible

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

At Los Angeles Tourism, we believe your best work happens when you have the tools to stay healthy, enjoy the present moment, save for your future, and look forward to coming into work. That’s why we’re committed to providing a competitive and comprehensive benefits program.

• Hybrid work environment
• Remote Monday and Friday
• DTLA Office Tuesday through Thursday
• Company paid parking in DTLA
• Early Friday’s – our office closes every Friday at 2:30 pm
• Work remotely week of Thanksgiving
• Holiday Office Closure (December 24th – January 1st)
• 15 Paid Company Holidays
• Paid Vacation Time
• Paid Sick Time
• Paid Floating Holidays
• Paid Family Leave
• Comprehensive health insurance (both PPO and HMO plans available)
• Dental and vision plans (100% employer paid for some elections)
• Pet insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability, Aflac
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account (Healthcare & Dependent Care)
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with up to 6% match that vests immediately
• 401(k) match for qualified student loan payments
• Monthly internet and phone stipend

Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board reserves the right to modify the benefit plans and employee services at any time, with or without notice.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS – ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL TASKS

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, move. The employee must occasionally lift, carry, pull, push, transport and/or move up to 40 pounds. Ascends and/or descends stairs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision. Requires prolonged sitting, driving, some bending, some twisting neck and body, some stooping and stretching/reaching (up, down, out), requires grasping, feeling, and detecting, requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, mouse, photocopier, fax machine, telephone, calculator, projector, screen for presentations, and other office equipment on a repetitive basis. Requires normal range of hearing, talking, and eyesight to record, prepare and communicate appropriate reports and information.

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Mandatory Vaccine Requirement: Los Angeles Tourism continues to prioritize the health and safety of our workforce. Consistent with that commitment, in light of the substantial and growing body of evidence that vaccinations remain the most effective protection against the spread the COVID-19, we require that members of our team be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment. For individuals with medical conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs that prevent vaccination, the Company will consider requests for reasonable accommodation consistent with our policy and applicable law.

EEO & DIVERSITY

Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board is an equal employment opportunity employer. We pride ourselves on welcoming applicants from all backgrounds regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, marital status, military or veteran status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We’re determined to build a workplace based on inclusive behaviors and equitable systems, where all employees can bring their authentic selves, feel engaged, and share their perspectives as a valued member of Los Angeles Tourism.