Chief Financial Officer

The Organization

The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, which is comprised of Visit Dallas (the primary DBA), the Dallas Sports Commission, the Dallas Film and Creative Industries Office, and the recently launched Dallas Music Office, is an independent, not-for-profit sales and marketing organization contracted with the City of Dallas to promote Dallas as a premier business and leisure travel destination. ​The organization’s collective efforts generate economic impact, jobs, and state and local tax revenues, benefiting the community and improving the quality of life for all residents.

Visit Dallas’ efforts have significantly increased awareness of Dallas locally, nationally, and internationally, and have resulted in Dallas being recognized as one of the top ten convention destinations in the nation and part of a region that is the No. 1 visitor destination in the state of Texas.

Conventions are important to any major city, bringing in millions of dollars each year. Thanks to the dynamic efforts of Visit Dallas, Dallas is one of the nation's premier destinations for both big conventions and visitors.

More than 25.7 million people visit Dallas every year, spending $6 billion and generating a total economic impact of $9.6 billion. These travelers support Dallas’ hotels, attractions, and restaurants, and the many jobs that they provide. In total, tourism supports more than 56,418 jobs and offsets the tax burden for Dallas households.

Strategic Plan

Crafted in 2024 to further elevate Dallas as a globally recognized destination of choice, Visit Dallas’ 2025-2027 strategic plan is comprised of four pillars: Sales & Marketing, Destination Management, Community Alignment, and Resilient Organization. Measured by overall room and Convention Center room nights generated, brand impacts, and ROI on leisure advertising, the first strategic pillar represents a multi-pronged approach to promote the new Convention Center, leverage events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and cultivate the film and music industries. Destination Management reflects an emphasis on master planning for various activity centers and transportation methods, yielding engagement with stakeholders, redeveloping attractions such as Fair Park, and aligning Visit Dallas’ efforts with all current master plans. With an eye advocating for legislation that promotes tourism, Community Involvement is predicated on maintaining a robust relationship with the City Council and its staff and ensuring positive media coverage for industry partners. Finally, the Resilient Organization pillar will be manifested through overall financial health and risk management, as well as the signing of mutually favorable contracts and relationships with related organizations.

Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District (DTPID)

Among Visit Dallas’ key partnerships is DTPID, an alliance of private hoteliers in Dallas who have been able to work with the public in a unique partnership with a shared goal: Enhance tourism. Dallas was the first major city in Texas to establish a Tourism Public Improvement District, which by law allowed Visit Dallas and DTPID to utilize travelers’ dollars strategically to not only grow the number of visitors to Dallas but also to enrich the lives of the people who live and work here.

Since the Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District’s (DTPID) inception in 2012, Visit Dallas and its affiliated organizations have helped realize a multi-billion-dollar economic impact. From increased numbers of visitors to winning more bids for high-profile events, to putting dollars back into the pockets of everyday citizens whose tax bills are lower because of the DTPID, significant impact has resulted. Among other endeavors, a favorite aspect of operating the DTPID is awarding significant dollars to arts and cultural organizations to support the rich heritage of the city, thereby reaping the rewards of life in a city that knows where it has come from as it celebrates a bright and diverse future. Currently up for renewal by 2029, Visit Dallas anticipates that the partnership will be renewed by hotel owners by 2026. Currently, Visit Dallas staff oversee the daily administration and operations of DTPID in collaboration with a part-time Executive Director and a board of directors comprised of local hoteliers.

Governance & Revenue

Governed by a 23-member board of directors and staffed by 77 full-time and 15 part-time team members, Visit Dallas has an annual budget of approximately $50 million divided among three sources: DPTID, hotel occupancy taxes, and the State of Texas’ Events Trust Funds program. Visit Dallas also generates a small amount of private revenue from membership and partnership sales.

The Opportunity

With Visit Dallas financially stable and well-positioned for success due to strong relationships with the city, the organization requires a dynamic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to bring its multi-year strategic plan to fruition and continue the charge to position Dallas as a premier destination for leisure and business alike. With the necessary policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance and transparency with its diverse funding sources, Visit Dallas’ next CFO must be an effective communicator who understands the relationship-driven nature of the destination marketing organization industry while maintaining vigilant safeguards. Recognizing that Visit Dallas’ effectiveness is dependent upon its relationships with external stakeholders, this executive possesses finance and accounting acumen along with an innovative approach and inclusive style.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer of Visit Dallas and supervising a team of five, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has responsibility for the strategic planning, implementation, and management of all finance activities for The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, including Visit Dallas, the Dallas Sports Commission, and the Dallas Film & Creative Industries Office. The CFO also has responsibility for providing similar financial management for the DTPID. The person in this role will ensure departmental integration in business planning, resource allocation, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management. This leadership role includes monitoring cash flow, recommending best practices for finances, and developing strategic plans to improve the overall financial health of the organization. The position’s core objective is to develop and implement best practices that ensure a well-controlled yet flexible organization that has strong fiscal management. Apart from the aforementioned direct reports, the CFO manages a contract accounting team from the firm Baker Tilley and an IT contractor who provides supplemental services. Specifically, the CFO will:

• Develop and execute financial strategies in alignment with the organization’s goals and culture.
• Lead, inspire, and supervise members of the finance and administration teams.
• Provide oversight of the DTPID finances, compliance, and reporting including serving as a Texas Public Funds Investment Act (TPFIA) investment officer.
• Provide oversight of the Event Trust Fund for Visit Dallas and DTPID.
• Oversee all accounting procedures and practices ensuring compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Manage processes for budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and reporting.
• Establish and maintain stable cash flow management policies and procedures, and ensure cash resources are available for daily operations.
• Oversee and monitor internal controls including segregation of duties.
• Ensure timely preparation and filing of federal, state, third-party, and other financial reports to ensure compliance with GAAP, IRS, and other taxing entity requirements.
• Ensure the timely preparation and distribution of monthly, quarterly, and or annual financial statements as appropriate including closing process ensuring balance sheet accounts are reconciled.
• Direct the preparation of documentation for and participate in the annual audit.
• Liaise with the Board of Directors, governance committees, and the City of Dallas on financial matters.
• Contribute to the organization’s safe, healthy, positive, professional, and productive culture.
• Provide oversight of procurement, insurance, contracts, legal affairs, and Information Technology.
• Serve as representative with banks, accounting firms, insurance companies, and tax authorities.
• Lead team training to ensure understanding and compliance with policies and procedures.