Destinations International · 2 days ago
Director, Designation Strategy and Operations
Ashburn, VA
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
5+ years expDestinations International is seeking a Director of Designation Strategy and Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership for their designation and accreditation programs, particularly the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). This role involves ensuring DMAP remains a global standard of excellence while integrating it with professional certification programs and enhancing its visibility through various outreach efforts.
EducationLeisureNon ProfitProfessional ServicesTourism
Responsibilities
Lead the long-term strategy and evolution of the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), ensuring it remains relevant, credible, and impactful across a growing global membership
Develop and guide multi-year program growth strategies that reflect the needs of destination organizations operating in diverse geographies, political environments, and tourism ecosystems
Identify opportunities and challenges related to global adoption, including language translation, cultural applicability, legal and regulatory considerations, and variations in organizational structure and infrastructure
Design and refine scalable pathways into accreditation, such as readiness cohorts, tiered or phased accreditation models, and regionally tailored education and support tracks
Stay informed on international accreditation standards, destination governance practices, and global trends in organizational excellence to ensure DMAP remains forward-looking and industry-leading
Collaborate with internal business data professionals to analyze program performance and trends, identify growth opportunities, understand member needs, and integrate data-driven insights into DMAP strategy and planning
Serve as the internal and external champion of the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), positioning it as the global standard of excellence within the destination industry
Ensure DMAP is consistently, accurately, and compellingly represented across organizational communications, member messaging, and global outreach efforts
Partner with the Marketing and Communications team to develop and execute a comprehensive marketing strategy that elevates program visibility, drives participation, and celebrates accredited destinations
Act as a public-facing spokesperson for DMAP, delivering presentations, keynotes, webinars, interviews, podcasts, and other thought-leadership engagements
Oversee DMAP’s brand identity, messaging, and presence across digital platforms, events, and international markets to ensure strong recognition and credibility worldwide
Ensure DMAP’s brand and positioning remain aligned with Destinations International’s mission, values, and global voice
Collaborate with the CDME team to build meaningful and integrated pathways that connect organizational accreditation through DMAP with individual professional certification
Partner with the Director of Strategic Learning Experiences to embed DMAP concepts, standards, and success stories into in-person, virtual, and hybrid event programming
Work with the Director of Content to incorporate accreditation themes into webinars, online modules, and other digital learning offerings
Support alignment across curricula, resource development, and shared communications to ensure consistency and cohesion throughout all learning programs
Collaborate with technology and program platform teams to ensure systems, resources, platforms, and assessment tools are effectively integrated into DMAP, supporting destination readiness, evaluation processes, and ongoing performance improvement
Oversee the full accreditation lifecycle for DMAP, including application intake, readiness support, reviewer assignment, assessments, recommendations, and follow-up communications
Ensure program standards, processes, documentation, and evaluation practices are globally applicable, culturally relevant, and consistently applied
Manage program systems, data tracking, dashboards, and reporting to support transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement
Recruit, train, and manage a diverse, global network of reviewers to ensure high-quality, fair, and consistent evaluations across all regions
Manage the composition, continuity, and overall effectiveness of the Accreditation Board, including maintaining a strong bench of qualified experts, supporting leadership transitions, and cultivating a pipeline of future board and reviewer leaders
Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Accreditation Board, fostering strong governance practices, clear communication, and informed, strategic decision-making
Lead planning and logistics for board meetings, including agendas, materials, policy recommendations, and follow-up actions
Prepare board materials that incorporate global trends, program performance insights, and proposed updates to standards or policies
Ensure adherence to governance protocols, confidentiality requirements, and conflict-of-interest policies
Design and deliver education, training, readiness programming, and resource materials that guide destinations through the accreditation process and ongoing program expectations
Develop regionally adapted and multilingual resources to support global participation and accessibility
Provide individualized guidance to destinations navigating accreditation, including organizations in emerging markets or with complex or non-traditional governance structures
Lead cohort-based readiness programs and global learning sessions to build understanding, confidence, and long-term program success
Build and maintain trusted relationships with destination leaders, regional associations, global tourism organizations, and allied partners
Represent DMAP and Destinations International at domestic and international conferences, events, webinars, panels, and partner convenings
Collaborate across internal teams—particularly Learning, Marketing, Membership, Advocacy, and Impact—to ensure DMAP is fully integrated into organization-wide strategies and initiatives
Support the growth and engagement of international reviewer networks and regional partners to expand program reach and credibility
Serve as an active contributor to shared departmental workflows, planning processes, and operational priorities
Support cross-program initiatives such as event delivery, learner communications, reporting cycles, and continuous improvement efforts
Provide flexible administrative or operational support during peak periods to ensure the overall success of the Professional Development Department
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education, professional experience, and demonstrated leadership capability
Progressive experience (5+ years) in accreditation, standards development, program design, association management, quality assurance, or related fields
Experience working in global or cross-cultural environments is strongly preferred
Experience supporting or working with governance bodies, advisory boards, or committees
Experience serving in a public-facing role, such as presenting, facilitating, training, or representing a program or organization externally
Familiarity with the tourism sector, destination organizations, or membership-based or nonprofit environments is a strong advantage
Proven strategic leadership skills, with the ability to envision, build, and evolve programs that support long-term growth and global relevance
Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-phase programs with strong operational excellence, maintaining high-quality systems, processes, and workflows
Global mindset, with the ability to navigate cultural, regional, and organizational differences with sensitivity, awareness, and professionalism
Strong understanding of program evaluation, standards-based assessment, organizational performance, or continuous improvement frameworks
Experience working with governance structures, including supporting sound decision-making, policy development, confidentiality, and accountability
Demonstrated ability to serve as a brand steward, positioning and protecting programs as credible, high-value standards of excellence
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with confidence as a public-facing spokesperson, facilitator, or educator across in-person and virtual environments
Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish trust and credibility with global stakeholders, partners, and internal teams
Analytical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret data, trends, and insights to inform strategy, planning, and program decisions
Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, balance competing demands, and operate effectively in a dynamic environment
High degree of adaptability, thriving in environments with evolving needs, shifting priorities, and emerging opportunities
Preferred
Experience working in global or cross-cultural environments is strongly preferred
Benefits
Employee Paid Health Coverage: Ensuring you and your loved ones are well cared for.
Financial Wellness Programs: Including retirement plans with employer contributions to secure your future.
Flexible Work Environment: Embracing a remote-first approach with the necessary tools and support.
Generous Time Off: Recognizing the importance of rest and rejuvenation.
Continuous Learning Opportunities: Encouraging professional development and growth.
Company
Destinations International
Destinations International specializes in delivering strategies to increase an individual's professionalism and destination management.
Founded in 1914Washington, District of Columbia, USA
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Don Welsh
President and CEO
Jack Johnson
Chief Advocacy Officer & Director of Board Relations
Recent News
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