Vice President, Strategic Alliances & Executive Director, Visit Austin Foundation

Direct Report: President & CEO

FLSA Status: Exempt

About Visit Austin and Our Mission/Culture:

Visit Austin is charged with marketing Austin nationally and internationally as a premier business and leisure destination, thus enriching our community's overall quality of life.

Visit Austin devotes itself to promoting all things Austin. This city has a one-of-a-kind culture and universal appeal, and we want to make sure people know about it.

Our values are our guiding principles and fundamental beliefs that define how we desire to work. Values create cohesion across the organization by establishing shared mindsets, behaviors, and expectations that allow everyone to do their best work.

Our Values: 

Austin is in our DNA | Listening empowers our work | We’re all in this together | You matter | Celebrate wins and learn from losses | Execute with purpose

About Visit Austin Foundation:

The Visit Austin Foundation fosters education, job training and career opportunities in Austin’s vibrant hospitality, music and tourism industries. As a 501(c)(3) public charity, we are committed to empowering the next generation of hospitality professionals and creating a stronger, more connected Austin.

Summary of Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategic Alliances:

• Lead the team as a visionary to inspire the development and growth of corporate partnerships and community alliances that support tourism and economic development.
• Proven leadership to oversee team to achieve goals in asset allocation, program design, and annual revenue forecasting for partnership programs.
• Manage team to successfully identify and solicit prospective partners; maintain an active pipeline of local, and regional, and targets.
• Ensure the fulfillment of partner benefits through account management oversight and stewardship.
• Motivate and support team, handles industry partnerships and agreements, coordinating with internal teams for execution to build relationships and private revenue.
• Direct sponsorship strategy and revenue goals for Visit Austin’s Annual Meeting and other major events.
• Represent Visit Austin in key community and industry associations (e.g., Chambers of Commerce, AHLA, DAA).
• Lead the development of budgets, marketing plans, and tactical projects supporting strategic alliances.
• Support external engagement by attending trade shows, sales missions, and networking events.
• Perform other duties as required.

Visit Austin Foundation:

• As a key leader in the organization, partner with the executive committee to connect the team to the strategic plan.
• Support fundraising strategy, including donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship.
• Plan and execute fundraising events in collaboration with internal teams and the foundation board.
• Secure financial support through grants, sponsorships, and major gifts.
• Collaborate on messaging and fundraising campaigns, including digital strategies.
• Increase board engagement and prepare regular updates and progress reports for leadership and the foundation board.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

General Responsibilities:

• Leadership and development of the team of 3 employees ensuring they have tools to succeed and strong mentorship to develop.
• Develop and encourage the team to maintain and grow collaborative relationships with hotels, venues, partners, and stakeholders.
• Promote internal alignment through active participation in meetings and shared planning.
• Be a role model for representing Visit Austin at events and serve as a brand ambassador for the organization.
• Be available for after-hours or weekend events and occasional travel.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications and Skill Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, public relations, or related field preferred.
• 10–15 years of experience in marketing, public relations, sales, or nonprofit development.
• Strong Austin area connections and partnerships are a plus.
• Proven success in managing a team to develop strategic partnerships or sponsorship programs.
• Strategic thinker and visionary for future growth and development.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing people and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Experience in the hospitality industry or with a Destination Marketing Organization preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite; familiarity with Canva, Adobe Acrobat, and HTML a plus.
• Experience with CRM/database management, fundraising software, and donor relations.
• Able to handle both daily administration responsibilities as well as leading a team.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Grant writing experience is a plus.