Sales Manager

Position Summary:

The Sales Manager is responsible for successfully positioning and selling Asheville, North Carolina as a premier meeting, convention, and incentive destination to planners in an assigned territory and/or markets. Success is measured through meeting established room night and contact goals and increasing the customer base in the assigned territory.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maximize revenues for meeting properties located in Asheville through direct sales, marketing, and designated activities specific to planners in an assigned territory and/or markets.
• Facilitate the execution of sales plans specific to the assigned territory/markets and work directly with partners to meet market goals.
• Develop meeting, convention, and incentive accounts located in an assigned territory/markets.
• Develop and manage an effective sales plan to meet established market goals.
• Expand the base of qualified buyers through new business development and account qualification.
• Demonstrable ability to develop an accurate budget around the sales plan.
• Accurately manage data in the Simpleview CRM database using standard operating procedures including account maintenance and penetration, recording meeting profiles and history, and producing and distributing sales leads.
• Prepare creative, high quality bid proposals and presentations to secure group business.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with accommodation, attraction, and service partners for the purpose of maximizing selling opportunities.
• Responsible for key sales initiatives including but not limited to regular local, regional, and state sales calls, hosting of FAMs, inbound client visits, industry trade
• Act as the official representative in assigned professional associations.
• Provide exemplary service to accounts requesting assistance and/or referrals.
• Work with the Group Marketing Manager in researching and deploying a web strategy for the assigned territory/markets.
• Work closely with the Director of Sales to identify new opportunities and develop strategies/tactics to increase sales originating from the state.
• Maintain confidentiality of management discussions, interdepartmental correspondence, database information, and other sensitive data.

• Accountable for the day-to-day workload, contributing to a cohesive, effective, and accountable team in consistent alignment with Explore Asheville’s values. Actively participate in team meetings and initiatives.
• Lead and/or participate in meetings/planning/initiatives to support strong workplace culture and successful performance/execution of organizational strategy. Elevate and solve issues, support change, and ensure the maintenance of productive processes.
• Represent Explore Asheville/BCTDA at meetings and industry functions and before the public. This may include making presentations to a wide range of groups.

Other Responsibilities:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. There may be times where this position is asked to help other team members with their work, completing tasks outside of this description.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) from a four-year college or university in Sales and Marketing Management, Event Management, or Hotel/Tourism/Hospitality required.
• Minimum of three years of experience in a meeting and convention or group sales setting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with Simpleview CRM or comparable system a must.
• Ability to tie strategies and tactics to demonstrable results.
• Strong ability to establish and maintain successful working relationships with meeting planners, industry partners, and the general public.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and quality assurance a must.
• Proven commitment to delivering measurable results and achieving established group and individual goals.
• Excellent interpersonal, organization, customer service, written/verbal communication, organization, planning, and budgeting skills.
• Goal-driven with the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and adhere to deadlines.
• Must be a strategic thinker and a proven self-starter able to support achievement of organizational goals.

Physical Environment & Working Conditions:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves working alone on the computer, collaborating as part of a team, or working closely with others by computer or over the phone.
• Most work tasks are performed indoors.
• Must be able to sit or stand at a desk for up to 7.5 hours per day.
• Requires grasping, writing, being mobile, repetitive motions, listening and hearing ability and visual acuity.
• Attendance of outside work functions after hours are required.
• Position is expected to spend time in the community on a regular basis.

Travel:

Up to 25% travel. In addition, some local travel, generally within Buncombe County, is required, but not extensive. Must have a valid driver’s license, current automobile insurance and own or have access to an automobile when needed.

EEO Statement:

Explore Asheville provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Explore Asheville strives to be an inclusive and equitable organization. We are actively seeking a diverse pool of candidates from a variety of abilities, backgrounds, and cultures.

About Explore Asheville:

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) oversees the work of Explore Asheville, which develops and carries out advertising, marketing, public relations, and group sales plans to inspire leisure and business travelers to visit Asheville and Buncombe County. In 2021, the BCTDA adopted strategic imperatives that are informing and guiding the direction of Explore Asheville’s program of work and community investments going forward. These strategic imperatives include:

• Delivering balanced & sustainable growth
• Encouraging safe & responsible travel
• Engaging & inviting more diverse audiences
• Promoting & supporting Asheville’s creative spirit

In addition, the Explore Asheville staff has adopted and embraced the following core values:

• Innovate & Evolve – We seek out new ideas and are open to change.
• Leadership & Collaboration – We focus on the truly important priorities to make the most positive impact.
• Equity & Empathy – We respect and embrace differences recognizing real progress requires inclusion.

Furthermore, the Business Development team at Explore Asheville has established guiding principles for group sales efforts:

• To be ADDITIVE – Focus on new business and the quality of the visit.
• To be BALANCED – Pursue and book off-peak business throughout the year focusing on specific need periods.
• To be ALIGNED – Attract business aligned with our strategic imperatives, economic development sectors, and community assets.

What we offer:

Explore Asheville offers a competitive benefits package that includes a Paid Time Off program with 19 days to start; 11 annual paid office holidays; employer-provided medical, dental, vision, life, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance; 401k with a company match; and employee wellness benefits.

Salary Range: $59,000 – $69,000

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $59,000.00 - $69,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $59,000 - $69,000