Organization: St. Catharines Lincoln Destination Partnership
Location: St. Catharines and Lincoln
Reports to: Board of Directors
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary Range: $80,000 – $95,000 (commensurate with experience)
Please note this position is not an employment opportunity with the Town of Lincoln.
About the St. Catharines Lincoln Destination Partnership
The St. Catharines Lincoln Destination Partnership (SCLDP) is a newly established Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) dedicated to positioning St. Catharines and Lincoln as a premier tourism destination in Ontario and beyond.
Working in collaboration with municipal partners, tourism operators, hospitality businesses, cultural institutions, and regional stakeholders, the organization will lead destination marketing, visitor attraction, product development, and strategic tourism growth initiatives to strengthen the local economy and enhance community vibrancy.
As a start-up DMO, this role presents a unique opportunity to build the organization from the ground up.
Position Summary
The Executive Director (ED) is the founding senior leader of the organization and is responsible for the overall strategic, operational, financial, and reputational success of the St. Catharines Lincoln Destination Partnership.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will:
- Establish governance structures and policies
- Develop and execute the strategic and business plan
- Lead marketing and destination development initiatives
- Build strong stakeholder and member relationships
- Secure and steward public and private funding
- Ensure sound financial management and accountability
- Represent the organization at municipal, regional, provincial, and national levels
This role requires a dynamic, entrepreneurial leader with strong governance knowledge, financial acumen, grant writing expertise, and deep experience in tourism, destination development, or economic development.
Please note this position is not an employment role with the Town of Lincoln.
Key Responsibilities
1. Governance & Board Relations
- Serve as the primary liaison between staff and the Board of Directors
- Support the Board in upholding, interpreting, and periodically reviewing existing bylaws, governance frameworks, and policies, and recommend updates to ensure alignment with legislation, best practices, and the organization’s strategic direction
- Implement best practices in non-profit/municipal board governance
- Develop board meeting agendas, reports, and performance metrics
- Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, funding agreements, and reporting requirements
2. Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development
- Establish annual business plans with measurable KPIs
- Build internal operational systems, policies, and procedures
- Create a positive, collaborative organizational culture
- Position the organization as a trusted tourism and economic development leader
3. Financial Management & Accountability
- Develop annual operating and capital budgets
- Oversee all financial operations, including revenue collection, accounts payable/receivable, and financial reporting
- Ensure compliance with municipal, provincial, and federal funding agreements
- Manage audits, income taxes and financial reviews
- Identify diversified revenue streams including memberships, sponsorships, and partnerships
- Ensure strong internal financial controls and risk management practices
4. Grant Writing & Revenue Development
- Identify and pursue municipal, provincial, federal, and tourism-specific funding opportunities
- Lead the preparation and submission of grant applications
- Develop sponsorship packages and partnership agreements
- Build relationships with funding agencies and tourism organizations
- Ensure grant compliance, reporting, and performance measurement
5. Marketing & Destination Branding
- Lead the implementation and ongoing refinement of the approved Marketing and Communications Plan and destination brand strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, stakeholder priorities, and measurable performance outcomes.
- Oversee the creation and execution of integrated marketing campaigns
- Manage digital platforms, website, social media, and content marketing
- Develop media relations strategies and oversee PR initiatives
- Monitor tourism trends and visitor data to inform marketing decisions
- Work collaboratively with regional tourism partners to align messaging
6. Membership & Stakeholder Engagement
- Develop and implement a membership model and value proposition
- Build and maintain strong relationships with tourism operators, hospitality businesses, wineries, cultural institutions, and attractions
- Lead regular stakeholder engagement sessions and industry consultations
- Provide industry support, training opportunities, and networking events
- Serve as a connector between businesses and government partners
7. Government & Community Relations
- Represent the organization with municipal councils, regional bodies, and tourism associations
- Advocate for tourism-supportive policies and infrastructure
- Maintain strong relationships with economic development offices
- Act as spokesperson for the organization
- Present to councils, committees, and community groups as required
8. Tourism Development & Visitor Experience
- Identify opportunities to enhance tourism product development
- Support major events and festivals
- Encourage shoulder-season tourism strategies
- Collaborate on regional tourism packages and experiences
- Analyze tourism data to inform strategic growth
Qualifications & Experience
Experience in tourism, business administration, marketing, public administration, economic development, or a related field; experience serving as an Executive Director or in a comparable senior leadership role is considered an asset.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience
- Experience in tourism, destination marketing, economic development, or non-profit leadership
- Proven grant writing and funding acquisition success
- Experience working with a Board of Directors
- Strong financial management experience
- Experience leading marketing strategy and brand development
Core Competencies
- Strategic and visionary leadership
- Strong governance and policy knowledge
- Financial acumen and budget management
- Grant writing and fund development expertise
- Political acuity and stakeholder diplomacy
- Exceptional communication and public speaking skills
- Entrepreneurial mindset suited to a start-up organization
- Data-driven decision making
Working Conditions
- Occasional evening and weekend work required
- Travel within the region and occasionally provincially
Application Process
Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter by May 8, 2026. Applications, inquiries, and requests for additional information can be directed to:
Stephanie Hicks
Email: shicks@lincoln.ca
Phone: 289-668-0610
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to shape a new destination marketing organization at its inception and make a lasting impact on the tourism economy of St. Catharines and Lincoln.
The successful candidate will help define the future of tourism in one of Ontario’s most dynamic and growing regions.