Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title:                            Chief Executive Officer

Reports To:               President, CHTA

SUMMARY STATEMENT

The CEO is accountable for the operation of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, and shall make all decisions and take all actions in connection with the operation of CHTA in compliance with Board directives, all within the guidelines as prescribed by the CHTA governing documents and budgets approved by the CHTA Board.  The CEO will develop and execute approved annual strategic plans to ensure the organization’s maximum effectiveness in functional areas to include support of the member National Hotel Associations,  Allied members, membership development and support, advocacy programs, regional marketing, internal and external communications and public relations, events management, liaison with other tour and travel industry associations, maintenance of sound fiscal policies, cultivation of staff talent, and objective reviews of appropriate new revenue generation streams. The CEO shall report directly to the CHTA President.

 PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Association Management

• Prepare and execute annual Strategic Plan [In conjunction with the Executive Committee] to address CHTA’s budget and finances, NHA support, membership development and support, advocacy programs, regional marketing, and communications/PR.
• Prepare and monitor the approved annual budget and multi-year financial plans to ensure organization’s financial health and viability.
• Appropriately staff organization home and remote offices to ensure effective and financially viable staffing levels.   Manage day-to-day office operation.  Conduct semi-annual staff talent reviews to foster performance effectiveness; cultivate staff talent to address organization needs.
• Engage and support the President and other elected, appointed volunteer leadership to ensure organizational support in execution of annual Strategic Plan.
• Serve as liaison with Caribbean Tourism Organization and other regional or global associations to develop synergies, cooperation, and mutual support.
• Facilitate development and execution of approved beneficial and financially sound events to foster marketing, networking, education, and region hotel and tourism industry growth.
• Monitor complementary and competitive organizations, regional and industry trends, to develop an enhanced business model for more effective, higher revenue CHTA activities.

 Membership Development and Support

• Facilitate the development and execution of an annual Membership Development and Support plan to ensure organizational relevance, beneficial value propositions for all member categories, effective potential member engagement, appropriate dues structures, and membership procurement and retention policies and procedures.
• Network with Strategic Partners to ensure their maximum ROI, and ongoing retention of Strategic Partners.
• Engage and support chairman of Membership Committee.

 Advocacy

• Serve as the “primary voice of a unified CHTA” on regional advocacy matters.
• Monitor regional and global events and trends to ensure support and fair treatment of Caribbean region and national tourism activities.
• Develop and distribute relevant communiqués regarding matters that warrant member action, providing guidance on CHTA’s position and recommendations for local action.
• Oversee the services of the CHTA PR firm to ensure effective communication of CHTA advocacy positions.
• Develop programs to support, as needed, individual Caribbean nation-focused advocacy efforts in support of NHAs.
• Engage and support chairman of Advocacy Committee.

Regional Marketing

• Monitor Caribbean region hotel and tourism performance data to identify needs and areas of opportunity in developing incremental business to the region.
• Oversee the services of the CHTA PR firm to ensure effective communication of marketing and sales related messaging.
• Oversee the services of the CHTA Advertising Agency to ensure effective execution of the CHTA advertising and digital marketing plan.
• Monitor performance of consumer-facing web site (www.caribbeantravel.com) and engage web site developer, marketing committee members, to ensure maximum participation and effectiveness.
• Represent CHTA on the CTDC board of directors.
• Engage and support chairman of Marketing Committee.

 Communications and Public Relations

• Develop and execute annual Communications and PR Plan to ensure effective, routine, timely, and membership-focused communication via electronic and other channels.
• Develop and execute strategic communications to external stakeholders to ensure and enhance CHTA relevance in global travel promotion, NHA support, and hotel/tourism member support.
• Engage CHTA PR firm to develop and execute annual PR plan, and topical communications as needs arise.

ATTRIBUTES, SKILLS, BACKGROUND, and EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated ability to manage on-site and remote teams for achievement of annual objectives.
• Experience in development and effective execution of annual strategic plans.
• Previous successful organizational financial accountability.
• Highly developed written and interpersonal communication, negotiation, and collaboration skills.
• A comfortable public speaker with an ability to engage audiences.
• Keen analytical skills and data management abilities.
• Superior time management and follow-through skills.
• A comfortable understanding of an interest in existing technological applications and advances as they relate to our industry.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Ability to deal with and sensitive to diverse regional cultures.
• Ability to travel extensively.
• Minimum of ten years’ experience in association or similar management role.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or similar experience preferred.
• Excellent English communication skills required; bi-lingual Spanish abilities desired.
• Previous work experience/working knowledge of the Caribbean tourism industry a desired plus.
• Candidate must be willing and able to work within the USA.

Responses will be kept confidential and should be submitted by email to: Search Committee at web@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com no later than April 5th, 2013.