Visit Denver - Vice President & Chief Partnership and Business Development Officer (Denver)

Visit Denver is the official destination marketing and management organization for the City and County of Denver, dedicated to positioning the Mile High City as a premier destination for leisure travel, conventions, meetings, and events. For more than 117 years, Visit Denver has served as the driving force behind one of the region's most important economic engines, bringing together the public and private sectors to strengthen Denver's visitor economy and elevate the city's national and international profile.

Tourism generates billions of dollars in annual economic impact for the Denver region and supports thousands of jobs across the hospitality, tourism, arts and culture, transportation, retail, restaurant, and small business sectors. Through innovative destination marketing, convention sales, strategic partnerships, and industry collaboration, Visit Denver helps ensure the city remains a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive destination for visitors and businesses alike.

As a 501(c)(6) membership organization, Visit Denver represents nearly 1,200 member businesses spanning hotels, restaurants, attractions, venues, arts organizations, transportation providers, retailers, destination services, and other hospitality-related organizations. Visit Denver serves as the central connector for Denver's tourism ecosystem, creating marketing and business development opportunities that many individual organizations could not achieve independently. By leveraging the collective strength of its membership, Visit Denver expands the reach and visibility of businesses of every size while strengthening the overall visitor economy.

You can learn more by visiting the Visit Denver website at visitdenver.com.

Position Summary

The Vice President & Chief Partnership and Business Development Officer (VP & CPBDO) joins Visit Denver at a pivotal moment as the organization elevates business development and private revenue generation as strategic priorities. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, this expanded executive role will shape the future of Visit Denver's partnership strategy by driving innovative revenue opportunities, strengthening member value, cultivating strategic collaborations, and developing new initiatives that enhance Denver's visitor economy.

As a member of the executive leadership team, the VP & CPBDO will oversee Visit Denver's marketing partnerships, advertising sales, membership engagement, sponsorship strategy, co-op marketing programs, signature events, and strategic business development initiatives. Beyond leading an established portfolio, this executive will bring an entrepreneurial mindset to identify new sponsorship models, strategic partnerships, signature events, and other revenue-generating opportunities that position Visit Denver for continued growth and long-term success.

The VP & CPBDO will also provide executive oversight of the Visit Denver Foundation, partnering closely with the Foundation Board to advance workforce development initiatives, scholarship programs, fundraising activities, and community engagement efforts that strengthen Denver's hospitality workforce. Throughout the organization, this leader will continually evaluate how Visit Denver can create greater value for its members while expanding diversified sources of earned revenue.

Visit Denver combines the mission of a nonprofit with the pace, accountability, and collaborative culture of a high-performing business. Leaders are encouraged to think creatively, challenge conventional approaches, and turn ideas into action while building consensus across departments and engaging a broad range of external partners.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Alignment

• Partner closely with the President & CEO and executive leadership team to shape and execute Visit Denver's strategic priorities while identifying emerging opportunities that advance the organization's mission and long-term growth.
• Develop and implement long-term partnership, membership, sponsorship, advertising, and business development strategies that support sustainable revenue growth and enhance member value that aligns with the organization’s mission.
• Identify innovative collaborations, sponsorships, and strategic partnerships that strengthen Visit Denver's value proposition and expand its impact throughout Denver's tourism and hospitality community.
• Evaluate and expand Visit Denver's private revenue portfolio by developing innovative business models, strategic partnerships, sponsorship platforms, and destination experiences that diversify and strengthen earned revenue.

Marketing Partnerships, Advertising & Business Development

• Lead diversified revenue growth across membership, sponsorships, advertising, co-op marketing programs, strategic partnerships, and events.
• Oversee the evolution of Visit Denver's advertising and partnership portfolio, identifying new products, integrated marketing opportunities, and revenue streams that create greater value for members and partners.
• Ensure exceptional execution of partnership fulfillment in collaboration with the Chief Marketing Officer, sponsorship activation, and stakeholder engagement initiatives that deliver measurable value to members and partners.
• Build collaborative relationships with local businesses, civic organizations, government agencies, sports organizations, arts institutions, and hospitality stakeholders throughout the region.
• Serve as the organizational connector for partnership initiatives, aligning marketing, sales, membership, tourism, foundation, and executive leadership to deliver integrated solutions that maximize value for members and partners.
• Identify opportunities to create new revenue-generating programs, sponsorship opportunities, and signature events that further expand Visit Denver's impact and member engagement.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for Visit Denver at industry conferences, networking events, community meetings, and partner engagements.

Membership, Events & Industry Engagement

• Provide strategic leadership for Visit Denver's membership engagement efforts, strengthening member retention, satisfaction, and long-term organizational value.
• Lead the development and execution of membership events, networking opportunities, and industry engagement programs that foster meaningful business relationships and strengthen Denver's tourism ecosystem.
• Continuously evaluate how Visit Denver can enhance the member experience by creating innovative programming, valuable networking opportunities, and differentiated benefits that strengthen engagement and long-term membership growth.
• Provide strategic oversight and leadership for the Visit Denver Foundation, working closely with the Foundation Board to advance workforce development initiatives, hospitality career pathways, scholarship programs, and fundraising events that strengthen Denver's future hospitality workforce.
• Oversee the Foundation's signature fundraising events, including sponsorship development, auction procurement, donor cultivation, board engagement, and revenue generation efforts that expand scholarship opportunities for future hospitality leaders.
• Advance workforce development, tourism education, scholarships, and community engagement initiatives that strengthen Denver's long-term visitor economy.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build trusted relationships across the organization, bringing stakeholders together around shared goals, balancing diverse perspectives, and creating alignment on initiatives that span multiple departments.
• Partner closely with marketing, convention sales, tourism sales, communications, destination services, and executive leadership to ensure partnership strategies and business development initiatives complement and strengthen Visit Denver's organizational objectives.

Data, Insights & Performance Management

• Establish data-driven metrics and reporting frameworks to evaluate partnership performance, revenue growth, member engagement, Foundation outcomes, and organizational impact.
• Monitor emerging trends within destination marketing, hospitality, tourism, sponsorship, and business development to continually identify opportunities for innovation and growth.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, including AI, automation, and CRM capabilities, to improve prospecting, streamline operations, strengthen member engagement, and support more informed decision making.

Location, Compensation and Benefits

This position is based in Denver, Colorado. The salary range for this position is $210,000 - $240,000 commensurate with experience, and includes a competitive benefits package.

How to Express Interest

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the role is filled.