Working Title: Destination Experience Manager
Job Class: State Program Administrator Supervisor Principal
Agency: Explore Minnesota
Job ID : 95585
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes, required to be in the St. Paul office 50% of the work schedule
Full/Part Time : Full-time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 07/21/2026
Closing Date : 08/11/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Explore Minnesota
Division/Unit : Explore Minnesota Tourism / Tourism-Destination Development
Work Shift/Work Hours : 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes - Up to 25% of the time
Salary Range: $34.71 - $50.25 / hourly
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 216 - Middle Management Association/MMA
FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
The Destination Experience Manager enhances the overall visitor experience by leading industry education, community visitor training, and tourism community certification programs; managing the distribution network for owned and partner destination marketing materials; and overseeing industry programs related to visitor experience. This position is responsible for ensuring that hospitality professionals, community partners, and visitor-serving organizations are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to support a consistent visitor experience across the state. The ideal candidate brings strong relationship-building skills, instructional design capability, and a collaborative mindset to elevate visitor readiness across the region.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Direct and manage the agency's destination training and visitor experience programs.
Oversee the distribution network, partner and affiliate center programs.
Oversee operations, budget, and personnel for Destination Experience.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
To receive credit for your education and experience, please ensure that your resume/application clearly describes your experience in the areas listed below and includes the month, day, and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for this position
Three (3) years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry practices, including visitor experience, frontline service models, visitor information distribution, and Minnesota's regional destinations.
*Bachelor's degree in tourism, hospitality, or another closely related fields may substitute for one (1) year of work experience.
AND
Experience as a supervisor, team lead, lead worker or project lead.
Experience in group facilitation and in delivering presentations or training sessions, including curriculum development, instructional design, and adult learning methodologies.
Experience analyzing program data and identifying opportunities to strengthen visitor experience programs.
Demonstrated ability to serve as an effective liaison between the agency, tourism partners, and community leaders.
Demonstrated ability in analyzing program data, gathering feedback, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Knowledge of customer service and guest-experience standards.
Preferred Qualifications
Ability to adapt to changing priorities, multiple deadlines, and dynamic partner needs.
Experience managing contracts and budgets.
Demonstrated ability to adapt in dynamic environments with changing priorities, multiple deadlines, and evolving partner needs.
Ability to analyze data to make strategic recommendations and to consolidate and communicate complex information in plain language.
Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
Physical Requirements
Maintain a stationary position for long periods of time.
Move items weighing up to 35 pounds while unpacking, packing, and stocking brochures and other supplies.
Ability to communicate effectively with customers/stakeholders.
Ability to travel (drive or fly) to various locations statewide and participate in regional and national education events as needed.
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of the following:
Resumes of all applicants to this posting will be evaluated against the Minimum Qualifications stated above. If your skills match the required skills for this position, the department may contact you. Employee reference checks will be conducted on all finalists. This may include a review of documentation related to job performance and education. It includes contact with the applicant's current and/or former employers.
A Criminal Background Check will be conducted on all finalists for this position. A criminal conviction will not automatically remove you from consideration for employment.
When the position requires travel and the applicant drives a state owned or leased vehicle, a driver's license record check will be conducted.
Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g.,H1B status).
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
