About the role
About The Role The Tourism & Destination Lead will oversee the planning, funding, and execution of tourism-focused events and activations. This role requires a seasoned professional with expertise in municipal tourism initiatives, large-scale festivals, and public space programming. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in stakeholder engagement, funding management, and the ability to deliver exceptional visitor experiences while aligning with city-wide tourism and economic development strategies.
Key Responsibilities Funding & Agreement Management
- Manage the Service Agreement with Ottawa Tourism, ensuring all commitments are met and aligned with their strategic objectives.
- Prepare and submit detailed reports, tracking performance indicators and funding obligations.
- Develop and submit compelling funding proposals for tourism-related initiatives.
- Oversee financial processes, including budgeting, invoicing, receipts, and reconciliation to ensure transparency and compliance.
Tourism Product Development & Visitor Experience Enhancement
- Identify opportunities to create new tourism experiences and enhance existing attractions within the ByWard Market.
- Develop signature events, seasonal activations, and art installations to attract visitors year-round.
- Foster collaborations with local businesses, artists, and cultural institutions to create unique, immersive experiences.
- Utilize visitor data and feedback to evaluate event success and refine programming.
Stakeholder & Business Engagement
- Act as the primary liaison between BMDA and Ottawa Tourism, industry associations, tourism operators, and local government partners.
- Provide data-driven insights to local businesses, helping them tailor their offerings to visitor demand.
- Work with economic development offices to align tourism strategies with city-wide goals.
Nightlife & Downtown Activation
- Develop initiatives to support a vibrant and safe nightlife scene, fostering partnerships with bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
- Work with municipal officials and safety organizations to enhance visitor experience in the evening economy.
- Advocate for supportive policies, including street closures, festival zones, and public space activations.
Marketing & Communications
- Work closely with the Communications team to ensure tourism and destination development strategies align with overall marketing efforts.
- Provide input on promotional campaigns and messaging that support tourism objectives.
Strategic Planning & Risk Mitigation
- Develop a Sustainability Action Plan to ensure environmentally responsible tourism programming.
- Implement a Risk Mitigation Strategy to identify and proactively address potential disruptions to tourism initiatives.
- Establish data collection mechanisms to accurately measure visitor impact and program success.
About The Organization The ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA) is dedicated to enhancing Ottawa’s most historic and vibrant destination through tourism-driven activations, large-scale events, and strategic partnerships. We are seeking a Tourism & Destination Lead to spearhead high-impact tourism initiatives, create dynamic visitor experiences, and build relationships with key stakeholders such as Ottawa Tourism and municipal partners.
Apply Now
Visit Organization Website
About Ottawa Festivals
The Ottawa Festival Network advances a dynamic industry through research, advocacy and education. We create an effective networking environment for festivals, special events and fairs in Canada’s Capital Region. A not-for-profit service organization, we work cooperatively with members and partners towards a vibrant, inspired and prosperous festival capital.
About the role
About The Role The Tourism & Destination Lead will oversee the planning, funding, and execution of tourism-focused events and activations. This role requires a seasoned professional with expertise in municipal tourism initiatives, large-scale festivals, and public space programming. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in stakeholder engagement, funding management, and the ability to deliver exceptional visitor experiences while aligning with city-wide tourism and economic development strategies.
Key Responsibilities Funding & Agreement Management
- Manage the Service Agreement with Ottawa Tourism, ensuring all commitments are met and aligned with their strategic objectives.
- Prepare and submit detailed reports, tracking performance indicators and funding obligations.
- Develop and submit compelling funding proposals for tourism-related initiatives.
- Oversee financial processes, including budgeting, invoicing, receipts, and reconciliation to ensure transparency and compliance.
Tourism Product Development & Visitor Experience Enhancement
- Identify opportunities to create new tourism experiences and enhance existing attractions within the ByWard Market.
- Develop signature events, seasonal activations, and art installations to attract visitors year-round.
- Foster collaborations with local businesses, artists, and cultural institutions to create unique, immersive experiences.
- Utilize visitor data and feedback to evaluate event success and refine programming.
Stakeholder & Business Engagement
- Act as the primary liaison between BMDA and Ottawa Tourism, industry associations, tourism operators, and local government partners.
- Provide data-driven insights to local businesses, helping them tailor their offerings to visitor demand.
- Work with economic development offices to align tourism strategies with city-wide goals.
Nightlife & Downtown Activation
- Develop initiatives to support a vibrant and safe nightlife scene, fostering partnerships with bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
- Work with municipal officials and safety organizations to enhance visitor experience in the evening economy.
- Advocate for supportive policies, including street closures, festival zones, and public space activations.
Marketing & Communications
- Work closely with the Communications team to ensure tourism and destination development strategies align with overall marketing efforts.
- Provide input on promotional campaigns and messaging that support tourism objectives.
Strategic Planning & Risk Mitigation
- Develop a Sustainability Action Plan to ensure environmentally responsible tourism programming.
- Implement a Risk Mitigation Strategy to identify and proactively address potential disruptions to tourism initiatives.
- Establish data collection mechanisms to accurately measure visitor impact and program success.
About The Organization The ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA) is dedicated to enhancing Ottawa’s most historic and vibrant destination through tourism-driven activations, large-scale events, and strategic partnerships. We are seeking a Tourism & Destination Lead to spearhead high-impact tourism initiatives, create dynamic visitor experiences, and build relationships with key stakeholders such as Ottawa Tourism and municipal partners.
Apply Now
Visit Organization Website
About Ottawa Festivals
The Ottawa Festival Network advances a dynamic industry through research, advocacy and education. We create an effective networking environment for festivals, special events and fairs in Canada’s Capital Region. A not-for-profit service organization, we work cooperatively with members and partners towards a vibrant, inspired and prosperous festival capital.