Sustainable Tourism Manager
Avalon Capital Group
La Jolla, CA
Manufacturing / Production, Business Management / Project / Planning
Hours: Full-time
Compensation: $80,000 - $115,000 (commensurate with experience)
The Waitt Institute is a team of international experts working around the globe to protect the world's oceans and support coastal communities in Blue Prosperity programs. This position will report to the Vice President of Blue Prosperity and work closely with internal teams, partner governments, the private sector, and NGOs to develop sustainable tourism strategies in the emerging economies of our partner countries. This position involves significant international travel (up to 30%).
The Waitt Institute is working with seven national and territorial governments to create sustainable ocean plans to help improve local livelihoods and economies while safeguarding marine life and ecosystems. As a global team, the Waitt Institute is committed to diversity, cultural competence, and inclusivity, and we recognize that these core values enable our success. We seek to employ talented advocates for the ocean and coastal communities, and we welcome all applicants.
Responsibilities
- Work with internal and external partners to develop tourism strategies tailored to each Blue Prosperity program location and its needs, in partnership with government and key stakeholders.
- Develop comprehensive business plans, including pro forma financial models for pilot programs, analyses of business models, market inhibitors, and enabling factors.
- Develop value capture strategies for communities and local economic ecosystems.
- Develop and maintain market valuation profiles for different tourism sectors.
- Ensure tourism work integrates with partner government programs’ marine protection plans and their marine spatial planning, sustainable fisheries, science, legal, and communications portfolios.
- Track the progress of planned activities within the internal management platform.
- 8+ years of experience in the evaluation, development, and/or management of tourism sectors. Experience with community-based and/or linked programs will be a significant plus.
- Strong demonstrated economic and financial analysis skills and experience
- Experience in facilitation, gaining buy-in, and building consensus with governments and private sector institutions
- Reliable, responsive, and comfortable working across time zones
- Bachelor's degree (graduate degree preferred) or equivalent in finance, economics, management, or related field
- Ability to inspire trust and facilitate with strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders, including private sector business operators, banking and financial institutions, Government, NGOs, and members of small communities
- A superb professional and pragmatic personal presence, with natural leadership and creative problem-solving skills.
- Strong public presentation skills
- Demonstrated program management skills and experience with program management tools like Asana, preferably
Unlimited Paid Time Off | Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision options | Health Savings Account | 401(k) match up to 6%
About the company
Financial Services
Avalon Capital Group, is the wholly owned private investment company with diverse interests, including public and private investments in real estate, technology, health care, finance, and entertainment. It was founded by Ted Waitt, co-founder of Gateway, Inc. Avalon has offices in La Jolla CA and North Sioux City SD. Avalon created and supports the Waitt Foundation and Waitt Institute.
Waitt Foundation (https://www.waittfoundation.org/) focuses on restoring our oceans to full productivity. Given the rapid decline of marine resources, the mission of the Waitt Foundation is to protect and restore ocean health. The Foundation funds initiatives globally with a focus on marine protected areas and sustainable fishing policy and practice. We provide grants, technical assistance, strategic advice, and support innovative ocean science. For maximum impact, we partner with unique coalitions of governments, funders, NGO, academics, and businesses.
Waitt Institute endeavors to ensure ecologically, economically, and culturally sustainable use of ocean resources. The Institute partners with governments committed to developing and implementing comprehensive, science-based, community-driven solutions for sustainable ocean management. Our goal is to benefit coastal communities while restoring fish populations and habitats. Our approach is to engage stakeholders, provide the tools needed to design locally appropriate policies, facilitate the policy-making process, and build capacity for effective implementation and long-term success.