Executive Director

Lead the Experience. Shape the Future. Make an Impact.

Waterloo is a community with a rich history, a vibrant culture, and an exciting future. We are looking for a leader who can help tell its story and shape what comes next.

Experience Waterloo is seeking a dynamic, visionary, and collaborative Executive Director to lead our organization into its next chapter.

This is more than a traditional executive leadership position. It's an opportunity to influence how people experience Waterloo, strengthen the city's tourism economy, champion community pride, and create experiences that bring residents and visitors together.

From the award-winning Lost Island Waterpark and exciting sporting events to festivals, conventions, cultural attractions, and beloved community traditions like My Waterloo Days, Waterloo has a story worth sharing. We are looking for someone ready to help write its next chapter.

About Experience Waterloo

Experience Waterloo is the destination marketing and management organization serving Waterloo, Iowa. Our mission is to enhance and promote the Waterloo experience.

We work alongside local businesses, attractions, community organizations, government partners, and regional stakeholders to showcase Waterloo as a destination for visitors, events, meetings, recreation, and investment.

Our vision is to be Waterloo's leading voice for destination enhancement, attraction development, and community pride through innovation, collaboration, and expertise.

We believe a strong visitor economy contributes to a stronger community by supporting businesses, creating opportunities, celebrating local culture, and connecting people to memorable experiences.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of Experience Waterloo and provides strategic, operational, financial, and community leadership for the organization.

The next Executive Director will lead an organization with strong community relationships, recognizable signature events, and significant opportunities for growth.

We are seeking a leader who can balance big-picture thinking with practical execution, strengthen the organization's foundation, and build momentum for the future.

Your leadership will help:

· Position Waterloo as a compelling destination for tourism, meetings, conventions, sporting events, and leisure travel.

· Strengthen and expand signature events, festivals, holiday programming, and year-round visitor experiences.

· Build strong, productive relationships with local businesses, community organizations, the City of Waterloo, and regional partners.

· Advance innovative destination marketing strategies that increase visibility, visitation, and community engagement.

· Identify new sponsorships, partnerships, funding opportunities, and sustainable revenue streams.

· Strengthen organizational operations, financial accountability, and team performance.

· Champion Waterloo's unique identity, cultural assets, and opportunities for continued growth.

What You'll DoStrategic Leadership and Organizational Growth

· Lead the development and implementation of organizational priorities, strategic initiatives, and annual work plans.

· Work collaboratively with the Board of Directors to advance the organization's mission and long-term vision.

· Oversee daily operations, staff leadership, organizational policies, and administrative systems.

· Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and accountable organizational culture.

· Identify opportunities for innovation, organizational improvement, and sustainable growth.

Tourism, Marketing, and Destination Development

· Lead strategies that elevate Waterloo's visibility as a destination for visitors, meetings, conventions, sporting events, and group travel.

· Oversee marketing, communications, destination promotion, and brand development.

· Collaborate with attractions, hospitality partners, local businesses, and regional tourism organizations.

· Use data, visitor trends, and community feedback to inform strategies and demonstrate impact.

Signature Events and Community Experiences

· Provide leadership and oversight for major community events, festivals, holiday celebrations, and other visitor experiences.

· Strengthen established events while exploring new opportunities that appeal to residents, visitors, families, and younger audiences.

· Build collaborative partnerships that increase participation, sponsorship, and community investment.

· Ensure events are well-planned, financially responsible, safe, and memorable.

Financial Leadership and Revenue Development

· Develop and manage organizational budgets and oversee financial reporting, audits, and internal controls.

· Ensure strong fiscal accountability, transparency, and long-term financial sustainability.

· Cultivate sponsorships, strategic partnerships, and diversified revenue opportunities.

· Evaluate organizational investments and initiatives to maximize impact and effectiveness.

Community Partnerships and Public Leadership

· Serve as a visible, trusted, and enthusiastic ambassador for Experience Waterloo and the community.

· Build productive relationships with elected officials, government agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and regional stakeholders.

· Represent Experience Waterloo at community meetings, events, conferences, and other public engagements.

· Bring diverse perspectives together around shared opportunities while maintaining a collaborative, politically neutral approach.

What We're Looking For

We recognize that outstanding leaders come from a variety of professional backgrounds. While experience in tourism and destination marketing is valuable, we also welcome candidates with relevant leadership experience in economic development, nonprofit management, marketing, hospitality, event management, business, and community development.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

· Proven organizational leadership and the ability to manage people, priorities, and complex initiatives.

· Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, fiscal oversight, and operational accountability.

· Experience planning, managing, or overseeing events, programs, or large-scale community initiatives.

· Knowledge of marketing, communications, destination promotion, or economic development.

· Success developing partnerships, securing sponsorships, or generating organizational revenue.

· Excellent communication, public speaking, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills.

· Experience working with boards of directors, public-sector partners, and community organizations.

· The ability to navigate challenges, build consensus, and lead through change.

· Creativity, adaptability, sound judgment, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

· A genuine appreciation for Waterloo and the opportunities ahead for our community.

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who can lead with vision, build trust, deliver results, and bring people together.

Compensation and Benefits

Experience Waterloo is committed to attracting and retaining a talented leader who will help advance our mission and guide the organization's continued growth.

Annual Salary Range: $90,000 – $110,000

Benefits Package:

HEALTH INSURANCE, RETIREMENT, PAID TIME OFF, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE. Additional details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the recruitment process.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following:

1. A current resume highlighting relevant leadership and professional experience.2. A letter of interest describing your qualifications, leadership approach, and vision for contributing to Experience Waterloo's future.

Email resume and cover letters to: joy@blabculture.com

Email Subject: Experience Waterloo Executive Director Application

Resume Deadline: November 27, 2026

Experience Waterloo welcomes applications from qualified candidates with diverse professional experiences and perspectives.

Ready to help shape Waterloo's next chapter?

We invite you to bring your leadership, creativity, and passion for community to Experience Waterloo.

Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Application Question(s):

• How many years of experience do you have leading an organization, department, or major initiative with responsibility for staff, budgets, and strategic priorities?
• Describe your experience managing organizational budgets, securing sponsorships or funding, and developing strategies for financial sustainability.
• What experience do you have building partnerships with businesses, government agencies, community organizations, or tourism-related stakeholders to advance organizational or community goals?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Work Location: In person