Description

About the San Diego County Lodging Association

The San Diego County Lodging Association (SDCLA) is the leading advocacy and member organization representing lodging businesses throughout San Diego County. From boutique properties to major hotel brands, SDCLA members look to the association to protect their interests, amplify their voice, and help them navigate an ever-changing legislative and regulatory environment. Working closely with the California Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA) and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), SDCLA ensures that San Diego’s hospitality industry remains competitive, well-represented, and positioned to thrive.

The Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity for a charismatic, politically savvy leader to serve as the face, voice, and chief strategist of San Diego’s lodging community. The Executive Director sets the direction of the association, champions its members before elected officials and regulatory bodies, and builds the relationships that shape policy outcomes. 

The ideal candidate understands how laws are made — and how to influence that process — while also possessing the leadership, relationship-building, operational, and communication skills necessary to lead a high-profile member organization.

Position Summary

The Executive Director oversees and manages the day-to-day operations of SDCLA, directing all activities of the association as prescribed by the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. The Executive Director reports jointly to the SDCLA Board of Directors and the President + CEO of the California Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA).

The position carries primary responsibility for government relations, organizational leadership, membership development, communications, and financial oversight. The Executive Director serves as the primary spokesperson for the association and maintains a highly visible presence within the hospitality, tourism, civic, and political communities throughout San Diego County.  

The ideal candidate is an energetic, dynamic leader with a commanding presence and the ability to move comfortably between legislative chambers, boardrooms, and member events — always representing the interests of San Diego’s lodging community with credibility, conviction, and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Governance

• Advise and support the SDCLA Board of Directors and Executive Committee in governing the association in compliance with association bylaws and policies, and California nonprofit mutual benefit corporation laws.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Board and Executive Committee, participating fully in deliberations and providing analysis, recommendations, and strategic guidance.
• Develop and distribute Board and Executive Committee meeting agendas, materials, and minutes, keeping the Chair informed and prepared.
• Provide orientation and support for incoming Board members to ensure informed and engaged leadership participation.
• Participate in the development and execution of SDCLA’s strategic plan and regularly report progress toward organizational goals.
• Ensure organizational policies, procedures, and governance practices remain current and effective.

Government & Legal Relations

Local Legislative & Regulatory Activities

• Serve as the lead strategist and primary liaison to outside legislative and regulatory advocates, owning all aspects of SDCLA’s local advocacy program.
• Monitor legislation, ordinances, ballot initiatives, regulations, and policy proposals affecting hotels and lodging businesses throughout San Diego County. 
• Develop and implement advocacy strategies in collaboration with SDCLA leadership, CHLA, outside advocates, and industry stakeholders.
• Draft and deliver written and verbal testimony before local governing bodies, and prepare association members and leadership to effectively represent the industry. 
• Cultivate strong relationships with elected officials, government agencies, regulatory bodies, coalition partners, and community leaders. 
• Attend and actively participate in advocacy meetings, governmental hearings, community forums, and industry discussions to maintain SDCLA’s visible and influential presence.
• Manage two political action committees (candidate and issues) in coordination with the SDCLA leadership. 

State & Federal Legislative Activities

• In coordination with CHLA, monitor state and federal legislative and regulatory issues as they pertain to the hospitality industry, ensuring members are informed and the association is positioned to respond.

Legal Activities

• Monitor legal issues, trends, and litigation affecting the lodging industry, and serve as liaison to legal counsel and the Board of Directors for any association legal efforts.

Member Relations

• Lead all member recruitment, retention, and engagement efforts to ensure a strong and growing association. 
• Develop and execute strategies to grow and strengthen SDCLA membership, sponsorships, partnerships, and other revenue-generating initiatives that enhance member value and support the association’s long-term financial sustainability. 
• Manage all aspects of planning, promotion, and execution of association meetings, programs, educational events, and networking opportunities. 
• Identify and establish relationships with tourism organizations, business groups, community organizations, and strategic partners that support SDCLA’s mission and member values. 
• Maintain strong relationships with members and ensure high levels of responsiveness, visibility, and accessibility.

Communications & Public Relations

• In coordination with the Chair, serve as SDCLA’s primary spokesperson, maintaining positive relationships with local media and responding to all press inquiries in a timely manner.
• Ensure the Chair and CHLA President + CEO are informed on major issues or developments to ensure alignment and coordinated messaging.
• Provide timely and valued communications to members including newsletters, alerts, informational updates, and public statements.
• Stay current on all SDCLA, CHLA, and AHLA publications, initiatives, programs, events, and member resources.

Organizational & Financial Management

• Oversee the management and operations of SDCLA, including review of monthly financial statements and reports submitted to the Board.
• Propose and oversee implementation of the annual SDCLA budget — with a focus on revenue generation and improving financial performance — to ensure sufficient funding for valued services and long-term association security.
• In conjunction with CHLA’s President + CEO, manage staff functions including hiring, salary determination, performance reviews, and terminations; oversee establishment of job descriptions and measurable performance standards.
• Supervise a Member Coordinator to provide support for member and organizational services. Conduct weekly meetings and performance reviews (in person is strongly encouraged).
• Retain contracted services when needed and authorized in the budget or by the Board or CHLA President + CEO.
• Oversee compliance with SDCLA bylaws and ensure organizational policies and procedures are current and followed.
• Travel as required to represent SDCLA at industry events, legislative sessions, and partner meetings. All approved travel expenses are reimbursed by the association.
• Perform additional responsibilities as requested by the Board or the CHLA President + CEO.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, law, business, or hospitality management a plus.
• Five or more years of senior nonprofit management or association management experience.
• Experience and skill working with a Board of Directors and volunteer leadership structure.
• Strong decision-making skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a democratic governance structure with annual elected leadership changes. 
• Proven expertise in legislative and regulatory advocacy at the local, state, or federal level, with knowledge of how laws are made and how to shape them.
• Strong coalition-building and negotiating skills with a track record of achieving favorable outcomes for the organizations and communities you serve.
• High-level strategic thinking and planning ability; proven capacity to envision and communicate an organization’s future to both staff and board.
• Strong public speaking ability and a natural presence before elected bodies, media, and industry audiences.
• Highly effective in both verbal and written communications, and ability to effectively communicate the organization’s mission to its membership and the broader community.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee, develop, and collaborate with staff.
• A history of successfully generating new revenue streams and improving financial results.
• Knowledge of the lodging and/or food service industry is highly valued.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus.