National Sales Manager (Hotel/Hospitality/Tourism)

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title: National Sales Manager

Position Purpose:

Responsible for promoting metropolitan Detroit as a destination for conventions, meetings, events, and other activities within assigned market segment, representing groups of 200 rooms or more peak nights, by soliciting sales accounts. This position serves as the sales development for all convention meetings and events within an assigned market segment. It requires one on one selling on sales trips, trade shows, bid presentation, sites and FAMS. This position is accountable for the achievement of all critical success measures as defined by the Visit Detroit mission and specific sales goals. This is a hybrid role, requiring some meetings in the Detroit, MI office.

Benefits:

Visit Detroit offers a selection of benefits designed with your health and financial wellbeing in mind. We review our benefit programs each year to ensure we consider the best combination of benefit coverage, network access and affordability for employees. In addition to health and welfare benefits, we have 11 paid company holidays per year, plus 1 floating holiday and opportunities to earn additional time off by referring new employees. Paid Time Off allotment for new hires (Sick, Personal and Vacation Combined), is 17 days per year. This is prorated based on full months projected to work in the calendar year. We also provide up to 4 percent 401(k) matching contributions after a minimum 6 month waiting period, 100% vesting upon entry. We also pay for parking in a covered parking structure just across the street.

Location:

This position will work remotely from a home office, but it is strongly preferred for candidates to be based in the assigned territory and will require frequent travel to Michigan.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in hotel, hospitality, or marketing management
• 6 -10 years large hotel sales experience (500 rooms or more) and/or convention bureau sales experience.
• Specific sales experience working in assigned market or related.
• Sales experience working with a convention center.
• Certified Meeting Planner designation

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• 3-5 years of convention bureau, hotel (100 rooms or more) and/or industry sales experience
• Sales experience working with third parties (Conference Direct, Helms Briscoe & Experient/Martitz, etc.)
• Frequent overnight travel required for presentations, FAMS, sites, and attendance at tradeshows.
• Valid, unrestricted Michigan driver’s license.

Major Job Dimensions:

• Accomplish sales goals that will lead to the success of the overall Visit Detroit area sales efforts. Develops bid presentations and manages site visits to ensure the highest level of exposure for the metropolitan area.
• Effectively develops new convention and meeting business for the entire metropolitan area.
• Manages assigned market segments with an aggressive sales solicitation program keeping the area sales database updated on a regular basis while generating new leads and group business for metropolitan Detroit.
• Ensures sales support and involvement in Visit Detroit trade show initiatives while adhering to proper reporting procedures for pre and post sales trips, FAMs, conventions, trade shows and special events.
• Serves as an integral member of the sales department, attending scheduled meetings, assist in the development and implementation of sales initiatives to fulfill Visit Detroit strategic mission to develop a competitive group infrastructure.
• Develop effective relationships with local contacts, Visit Detroit partners, and stakeholders to maximize relationships resulting in a successful sales effort while maintaining a high level of internal and external customer satisfaction.
• Effectively and efficiently manage the specific budget areas that are assigned to produce the highest level of return with every dollar spent by the Visit Detroit and its stakeholders.
• Fully proficient in IDSS, the National Sales Manager is required to adhere to all tracking and input requirements, including tracking all sales calls, prospecting calls, site visits, sales trips, and other activities.
• Effectively meet goals while working from a home office and adhering to the Visit Detroit Telecommuting Policy.
• Committed to partnering with Visit Detroit in embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into company culture and operations, and actively contributing to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and stakeholders.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Represent Visit Detroit at trade shows and other industry events.
• Be active in industry associations.
• Maintain working knowledge of all member facilities, attractions, and services available to customers planning meetings in the Metro Detroit area.
• Participate in special events hosted by Visit Detroit as it pertains to sales accounts and market segments.
• Coordinate with Customer Services to effectively serve groups booked by Visit Detroit.
• Complete and submit, on a timely basis, appropriate reports assigned by the Executive Vice President.
• Work cooperatively with other Visit Detroit personnel and departments.
• Work within an established budget for all related travel including trade shows or events.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics Required:

• Excellent presentation skills and ability to speak in front of groups of all sizes
• Creativity in developing sales opportunities and assessing “quality business”
• Committed to selling the entire Metro Detroit area as a viable destination
• Possess strong collaboration, service, and Interpersonal skills
• Good product and key competition knowledge
• Ability to make sales trips, attend tradeshows, and conduct site inspections
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to clearly express thoughts, ideas, and concepts, verbally and in writing, in the English language.
• Skilled in organizing, prioritizing, and analyzing multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Ability to think and manage creatively in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, peers, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
• Maintains a positive and professional work attitude, appearance, and behavior even in the most demanding situation.
• Ability to work effectively in both remote and in-person work environment; proficient using video conferencing software and other remote work tools.
• Proficient in using personal computer software and applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and related sales software.
• Available weekends and outside of normal work hours for assignments and travel, as needed.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Office work involves extended periods of sitting or working at a desk and/or utilizing repetitive typing motions on a computer or laptop.
• Ability to perform extensive standing and/or walking for work-related assignments and events
• Frequent travel requirements as related to business needs
• Ability to lift push, and or carry up to 40lbs. occasionally

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements and does not imply a contract.