Seasonal Visitor Center Manager

Is this you?

Do you love Salem?

Do you like helping people?

Do you want to be a part of a team that enjoys working together?

Do you thrive in a vibrant and fast-paced environment?

Do you have hospitality and/or retail experience?

Are you looking for a temporary opportunity that could possibly lead to something more?

If you answered yes to these questions, read on!

Destination Salem manages the multi-faced and complex destination marketing for the City of Salem, Massachusetts, one of the state’s top visitor destinations. Programs include production and distribution of the annual Salem Guide and Guide to Salem Haunted Happenings, management of the Destination Salem app, Salem.org and HauntedHappenings.org, working with traditional media and social media influencers, assisting consumers who are planning travel to Salem, and working with businesses to promote and market them as part of the destination. In addition, Destination Salem runs a year-round visitor information center that serves as the organization’s headquarters. 

Destination Salem is looking for an energetic, personable, organized, and reliable manager to oversee the daily operations of its visitor information center, located at 245 Derby St., Salem, MA during the busy fall season. 

Position Summary

The Visitor Center Manager will ensure the visitor experience at the center is positive and consistent for visitors, local community members and staff.  Reporting to the Interim Executive Director, this position is responsible for the daily operations of the Visitor Center (VC). Ensures excellent customer service by assisting and providing information, brochures and retail merchandise to Salem visitors and community members. Accomplishes responsibilities independently and through the work of subordinate staff (Information Specialists) and contractors.

Essential Job Functions

·         Ensure the VC is adequately staffed to meet anticipated visitation levels. This includes but is not limited to scheduling and monitoring the performance of Information Specialists (and Visitor Center volunteers). Provides ongoing mentoring to ensure quality and consistent visitor service. Reviews and approves time and attendance records.

·         Maintains up-to-date knowledge of local travel and tourism opportunities, including travel routes, historic sites, park and recreation opportunities, and special events. 

·         Ensures the VC is sufficiently stocked with brochures and promotional materials, ordering new materials as needed. Print weekly resource sheets (Industry Weekly, our Grid, Weekend-at-a Glance) for staff and visitor references.

·         Collects daily visitation and call statistics. Compiles and prepares regular, periodic reports on visitation for management.

·         Manage retail operations for maximum profitability. This includes purchasing, (receiving), merchandising, inventory management, and reporting as well as daily sales activities using the point-of-sale system.

·         Oversees the maintenance and cleanliness of the VC and adjacent restrooms. Serve as primary point of contact with cleaning contractor. Monitor performance of cleaning contractors to ensure terms of contract being fulfilled and resolve issues as they arise. Orders supplies and equipment as needed.

·         Helps ensure the Visitor Center is safe for employees and the public. Monitors the Visitor Center for safety and security risks, reporting concerns to management and emergency response professionals as needed.

·         Serves as a keyholder for opening and closing of the Visitor Center.

Other Responsibilities

·         Perform other duties as needed to help the organization meet its goals and mission.

Qualifications

We recognize and appreciate that there are many ways to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in this position and we welcome applicants with non-traditional backgrounds. We will most likely be interested in your candidacy if:

·         You are familiar with the City of Salem’s historic, cultural and tourist attractions.

·         You have experience supervising or managing staff.

·         You have retail and point-of-sale experience.

·         You can maintain professional and congenial composure at all times and especially when under pressure.

·         You are available to work at least 32 hours per week.

·         You are available to work at least 1 weekend day per week.

Physical Requirements

You are able to lift boxes of brochures to 40lbs each.

·         Lift and move boxes of brochures or other items weighing up to 40 pounds each

·         Set and stand for extended periods

·         Perform keyboarding, mousing, and other repetitive tasks

·         See and read printed materials

·         Communicate verbally and in writing

Working conditions

The Visitor Center is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Work is to be performed on-site, with occasional local travel. Visitor Center can occasionally be crowded, especially during peak season.

Work arrangement

This is a temporary position requiring at least 32 hours per week through November 17. The hourly pay rate is between $20 and $24 depending on experience. The possibility of a year-round position exists but is not guaranteed. 

To apply

Please use this link under the Employment Opportunities section on Destination Salem’s About page https://www.salem.org/about-destination-salem/. Provide the requested information, and upload your resume and a cover letter sharing why this position is of interest to you and describing what makes you qualified to fill this role.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a candidate is selected. The deadline for applying is September 18, 2023. Should you have any questions regarding the application process, please email Kara McLaughlin at kmclaughlin@salem.org.

The Salem Office of Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender or gender identity, familial status, disability, ancestry, age, marital status, public assistance status, sexual orientation, veteran history/military status, or genetic information.