Deadline to Apply: March 28, 2025

Organization/Company Name: Visit Santa Barbara

Location: Santa Barbara, California

As the Research & Analytics Manager, you will play a pivotal role in analyzing traveler behavior, destination performance and market trends to provide data-informed strategies for Visit Santa Barbara. This role is responsible for data collection, analysis and reporting, providing valuable insights that enhance our marketing effectiveness, sales initiatives and stakeholder communications. You will transform complex data into actionable intelligence, helping to position Santa Barbara as a premier travel destination.

What You’ll Do:

  • Collect, analyze and interpret data to inform marketing strategies, sales initiatives and stakeholder communications
  • Evaluate traveler behavior, destination performance and market trends to provide actionable insights
  • Oversee commissioned research projects, including visitor profile studies, economic impact reports and brand awareness surveys
  • Develop and maintain reporting databases to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and industry trends
  • Create and distribute reports, presentations and forecasts to support internal teams and external partners
  • Optimize research processes by implementing automated reporting tools and dashboards
  • Collaborate with government agencies, hospitality partners and external vendors to enhance data-driven decision-making

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

  • Minimum of three years of experience in data analysis, market research or a related field
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to manage large datasets and create compelling visual presentations
  • Strong familiarity with hotel and travel industry metrics, including experience with third-party data sources such as STR and Demand360
  • Hands-on experience with Google Analytics 4, including the ability to build custom reports and extract actionable insights
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, concise and strategic recommendations
  • Proven ability to foster collaboration and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams, stakeholders and external partners
  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, demonstrating sound judgment in data interpretation and strategic planning
  • Valid California driver’s license (or ability to obtain), auto insurance and access to a vehicle for work-related travel. Mileage is reimbursed at the IRS-approved rate.
  • Ability to travel overnight for up to three days at a time as needed

Additional Skills That Make an Impact:

  • Experience in destination marketing, tourism or hospitality industries
  • Knowledge of advertising performance metrics and digital marketing analytics
  • Proficiency in data visualization tools (e.g. Tableau and/or Microsoft Power BI)
  • Experience with CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce)
  • Familiarity with statistical analysis tools (e.g. SPSS, R, Python and/or SQL)

What Visit Santa Barbara Offers You:

  • Comprehensive medical insurance fully covered by the employer
  • Voluntary dental and vision insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions
  • Paid vacation and sick leave
  • Ten paid holidays
  • Cell phone reimbursement
  • Opportunities to explore and engage with local hospitality businesses
  • Flexible work options, including up to two remote workdays per week

Please note that these are just some potential examples; the specific benefits and perks offered may vary based on the position and location.

Compensation:

Salary range between $83,000 – $85,000

Compensation will be determined by a number of factors including educational background and experience.

To Apply:

Please email cover letter and resume to Margie Cantu at [email protected].

About Visit Santa Barbara:

The mission of Visit Santa Barbara is to inspire overnight travel to the Santa Barbara South Coast in order to enhance the community’s economy and quality of life. VSB’s primary vehicles are tourism marketing, PR and sales channels that lead to overnight bookings, increase business and tax revenue and support jobs. Visit Santa Barbara is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization jointly funded by the South Coast Tourism Business Improvement District and a membership of hospitality-related businesses, as well as grants from the City of Santa Barbara and the County of Santa Barbara. Annual spending by travelers to the South Coast totals more than $2.24 billion, supporting more than 15,000 jobs and generating more than $82.9 million in yearly tax revenues, according to Future Partners, a tourism market research firm.

For more information about the company, please visit our website: https://santabarbaraca.com

Visit Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Visit Santa Barbara complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment at its location.

Please note: We are not accepting phone inquiries regarding the status of applications. Only qualified candidates will be contacted. Additionally, we are not working with agencies or third-party recruiters at this time. Thank you for your understanding.

Please email cover letter and resume to Margie Cantu at [email protected].