Position Overview

Salary: $80,000 – $115,000 Annually

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, management, or related field

Experience Required: Eight or more years in tourism sector development or management

Description

The Waitt Institute is a global organization advancing ocean conservation and sustainable development through its Blue Prosperity programs. Working with governments and partners worldwide, the institute develops strategies that protect marine ecosystems while supporting coastal economies.

This role leads the development of sustainable tourism strategies in partner countries, integrating economic planning with marine conservation goals. The position collaborates across sectors to design programs that strengthen local livelihoods and align with national ocean management frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Develop tourism strategies tailored to Blue Prosperity program locations in collaboration with governments and stakeholders
• Create business plans including financial models, market analyses, and feasibility assessments
• Design value capture strategies to support local communities and economies
• Develop and maintain market valuation profiles across tourism sectors
• Integrate tourism strategies with marine spatial planning, fisheries, science, legal, and communications programs
• Track progress of activities within internal management systems

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, management, or related field
• Minimum eight years of experience in tourism sector development, evaluation, or management
• Strong financial and economic analysis skills
• Experience facilitating collaboration and building consensus with governments and private sector stakeholders
• Ability to work across time zones and manage international partnerships
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in a related field
• Experience with community-based tourism or development programs
• Experience with program management tools such as Asana

Additional Notes

• Location: San Diego, California, United States
• Schedule: Full-time
• Travel: Up to 30% international travel
• Benefits include unlimited paid time off, medical, dental, vision coverage, health savings account, and 401(k) match

How to Apply

Submit an application through the employer’s application portal.