Bay County

SALARY $88.94 – $108.17 Hourly

$7,115.38 – $8,653.85 Biweekly

$185,000.00 – $225,000.00 Annually

LOCATION Panama City Beach, FL

JOB TYPE Full-Time

JOB NUMBER 2010

DEPARTMENT Human Resources

OPENING DATE 02/11/2026

CLOSING DATE 2/25/2026 11:59 PM Central

EEO

Bay County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or parental status.

*Salary/Hourly wages are determined by verifiable experience.

Nature of Work

The Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc., d/b/a Visit Panama City Beach, (the “CVB”) is a Florida non-profit corporation whose purpose is to provide support the programs of the Bay County Tourist Development Council, the Bay County Board of County Commissioners, and the City of Panama City Beach in support of the statewide, national, and international promotion and marketing of tourism for greater Panama City Beach area between the Hathaway, Hathaway, and Phillips Inlet bridges.

The President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the chief executive and administrative officer of Visit Panama City Beach and provides overall leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the organization. The President/CEO is responsible for advancing the destination’s tourism, marketing, sales, sports marketing, special events, visitor services, coastal resources, and administrative functions in alignment with the policies and direction established by the CVB Board. 

The President/CEO also serves ex officio as Executive Director of the Bay County Tourist Development Council (the “TDC”), subject to acceptance and oversight by the Board of County Commissioners or its designee, and performs administrative duties as permitted by the TDC. As TDC Executive Director, the CEO is required to oversee the operations, maintenance, and real property assets, including the Publix Sports Park and the pavilion at Aaron Bessant Park. 

This position exercises broad independent judgment, operates with a high degree of public visibility, and is accountable for fiscal stewardship, organizational performance, and maintaining public trust.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Governance

  • Serves as the chief executive officer of the CVB, responsible for overall organizational leadership and performance.
  • Implements policies, directives, and strategic priorities established by the CVB Board.
  • Advises the Board on strategic planning, policy development, and long-term destination priorities.
  • Maintains transparent, timely, and accurate communication with the Board.
  • Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and governance requirements, including public accountability standards.

Strategic Planning & Destination Leadership

  • Provides leadership for destination marketing, tourism development, sales, sports marketing, special events, and visitor services.
  • Develops and executes long-range strategic plans that support visitation growth, economic impact, and destination sustainability.
  • Represents the destination in local, regional, state, and national tourism forums.
  • Builds and maintains relationships with government officials, industry partners, hospitality stakeholders, and community leaders.

Fiscal & Operational Oversight

  • Oversees the development, administration, and execution of the CVB’s annual operating budget.
  • Ensures responsible stewardship of all funds and assets of the CVB, including Tourist Development Tax revenue.
  • Establishes internal controls, fiscal policies, and reporting mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.
  • Monitors organizational performance and ensures efficient and effective use of resources.

Organizational & Talent Leadership

  • Directs and oversees the executive leadership team and departmental operations.
  • Has authority, with Board concurrence where required, to appoint, employ, evaluate, and terminate staff.
  • Promotes a culture of professionalism, ethical conduct, accountability, and collaboration.
  • Ensures effective succession planning, performance management, and workforce development.

Intergovernmental & Community Relations

  • Serves as the primary liaison between the CVB, the TDC, Bay County, the City of Panama City Beach, other municipalities, and external agencies.
  • Coordinates with public safety, regulatory, and governmental entities as required.
  • Acts as a visible ambassador for the destination and the organization.
  • Engages the community and industry partners to align tourism initiatives with community interests.

Reporting & Accountability

  • Provides accurate, comprehensive, and timely reports to the Board of County Commissioners, CVB Board, and TDC as required.
  • Ensures organizational records, reports, and communications are prepared with full awareness of public records and transparency requirements.
  • Supports Board evaluation processes and performance reviews in accordance with governing documents.

General

  • Regular, reliable full-time attendance as scheduled.
  • The CVB Board may add to or change duties at any time, and as determined at its sole discretion, to best ensure that the public is served through the work of the CVB.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, tourism, marketing, hospitality management, or a related field.
  • Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in destination marketing, tourism industry, public administration, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated experience working with or reporting to a governing board or public authority.
  • Proven experience managing large operating budgets or public funds.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-department organizations.
  • Must be able to speak, write, and comprehend English language.

LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS:
Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Florida driver license upon offer of employment with a driving record acceptable to the CVB Driving Policy and insurance program.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

  • Knowledge of destination marketing organizations (DMOs/CVBs) and tourism promotion strategies.
  • Knowledge of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) frameworks and tourism funding models.
  • Knowledge of public-sector governance, fiscal accountability, and transparency requirements.
  • Knowledge of strategic planning, organizational leadership, and performance management.
  • Knowledge of intergovernmental relations and public administration practices.
  • Knowledge of tourism industry trends, economic impact, and destination development.
  • Skill in executive leadership and strategic decision-making.
  • Skill in board relations and policy implementation.
  • Skill in budget development, fiscal oversight, and financial reporting.
  • Skill in public speaking, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Skill in organizational management and executive supervision.
  • Skill in written and verbal communication appropriate for public-sector leadership.
  • Must have good interpersonal and communication skills to deal with the public.
  • Outstanding project management and organizational skills.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Proficiency in the use of MS Office.
  • Ability to exercise broad independent judgment and executive authority.
  • Ability to lead a complex organization in a highly visible public environment.
  • Ability to balance strategic vision with operational execution.
  • Ability to maintain public trust and credibility.
  • Ability to respond effectively to emerging issues, crises, or political sensitivities.
  • Ability to represent the CVB professionally at the highest local, state, and national levels.

WORK LOCATION:
Not Eligible for Remote Work – This position is assigned to a TDC/CVB worksite. Due to the non-portable nature of the essential functions of this position, this position is not eligible for remote work.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Work is performed in a combination of office, field, and event-related environments. While positions are primarily based in an indoor, climate-controlled office setting, all CVB employees may be required to work outdoors and in public venues in support of special events, festivals, concerts, parades, sporting events, and other tourism-related activities.
Work may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, crowds, noise, and other elements typical of public events, as well as interaction with the public, vendors, contractors, and partner agencies.
The position requires the ability to perform common physical activities, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, and repetitive hand movements, as well as effective hearing, speaking, and visual acuity.
Employees may be required to lift and carry materials or equipment, with frequent lifting of 10–15 pounds, occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds, and infrequent or assisted lifting of up to 50 pounds.EmployerBay CountyAddressHuman Resources Department
840 W. 11th Street
Panama City, Florida, 32401Phone850-248-8201

Link to Apply: President/CEO (Visit PCB/CVB)
Websitehttp://www.baycountyfl.gov