Director of Convention Servicing

The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking a gregarious, enthusiastic, self motivated hospitality professional to lead our Convention Servicing department. If interested and qualified, e-mail your resume to Kdobnikar@inbirmingham.com with the subject line: Director of Convention Servicing

GREATER BIRMINGHAM CONVENTION AND VISITORS’ BUREAU

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:                   Director of Convention Servicing

DEPARTMENT:            Convention Sales

FLSA STATUS:             Exempt

ABOUT THE GREATER BIRMINGHAM CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU: The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) is the official tourism and marketing organization for Birmingham and Jefferson County. Established in 1969, the non-profit agency generates positive economic impact by positioning the greater Birmingham area as a premier destination for conventions, sporting events, and domestic and international leisure travel. Named one of Conde Nast Traveler’s “22 Best Places to Go in 2022,” Birmingham and its neighboring municipalities welcome more than 3.6 million visitors each year, generating $2.9 billion in economic impact. Learn more at inbirmingham.com.

Job Summary

Through a variety of services, the Convention Services department assists clients in preparations for their meetings held in Jefferson County. This position is responsible for providing direction and guidance to the members of the convention servicing staff. The director will develop and implement plans for work and set guidelines and parameters for the members of that staff.

Job Relationships

A.    Reports to: Senior Vice President

B.    Provides supervision for: Convention Servicing Staff

C.   Interacts with: All levels of staff within the organizations, clients and industry representatives

Essential Job Functions

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The duties here are not an all-inclusive list, as management may add or remove duties as necessary.

Assist in the pre-convention planning process which includes establishing a positive working relationship with the meeting planner and hotel personnel

Develop and assist vendors with imaginative theme parties, spouse programs and suggested tour itineraries for upcoming meetings

Maintain positive working relationship with transportation companies, florists, caterers, computer equipment companies, etc. for making referrals to meeting planners

Work closely with MINT on posting bookings and post-convention reports

Work closely with the marketing department to develop, update and, maintain servicing promotional materials

Order and maintain branded promotional materials for client gifts, giveaways and CVB promotions (example: branded table covers, posters, signage, etc.)

Represent GBCVB @ Bessemer Chamber of Commerce, networking by attending meetings, renewal of monthly membership

Site visit participation: coordinate and conduct site visits once meetings are definite. The initial site visit to book the meeting is an excellent time to start building a client relationship if requested by the convention sales manager

Supervise preparations and construction of servicing portion of annual sales/marketing plan

Set, monitor and evaluate productivity of registration personnel

Work with the convention sales manager and VP of Administration in processing meeting rebates and incentives

Seeking opportunities to collaborate with the Convention Director of Sales and Sales Promotion Coordinator to enhance sales/servicing operations

Seeking input from constituents to strengthen servicing program

Network with Information Specialists on system programs that will enhance servicing effort

Network with industry partners

Competencies

Leadership

Decision Making

Performance management

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Deadline oriented

Technological capacity; proficient in general database software

Complex problem-solving skills

Critical thinking skills

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position manages all employees of the convention servicing team and is responsible for the management and hiring of this department

This position performs supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and solving problems.

Education and Experience                                                             

The following qualifications are the minimum requirements necessary to adequately perform this job. However, any equivalent combination of experience, education and training which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities would be acceptable subject to any legal and/or regulatory requirements.

Bachelor’s degree

Ten years in hospitality industry in a sales or marketing capacity

Advanced hospitality experience with industry knowledge

Event servicing experience in a leadership role

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing documents and other office machines. This is a full-time position and office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 5 pm.

Travel

Travel is required with this job and is overnight throughout the United States via airplane. Some local travel may apply.

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; reach; handle or feel and requires the ability to occasionally lift, push or pull office products and supplies up to 10 pounds.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to any protected class in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The GBCVB complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.