National Sports Sales Manager

National Sports Sales Manager

SUMMARY: The objective of all departments is to position Visit Greater Palm Springs (VGPS) as the official tourism agency for the Greater Palm Springs area.

This sales position will be essential for attracting sports tournaments, competitions, and events to boost the community's economic impact. The primary objectives are to develop the sports market, distribute leads, drive new business, grow market share, and retain existing clients.

The successful candidate will meet or exceed sales goals through proactive efforts.

The ideal candidate will have a background in the sports market, strong leadership and sales skills, organizational expertise, professionalism, self-motivation, and the ability to collaborate with community partners to enhance Greater Palm Springs’ reputation as a leading sports tourism destination.

Will require frequent day travel within the destination for meetings and events and additional domestic overnight travel for meetings, conferences and presentations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish an overall strategic plan “Market Plan” which includes detailed quarterly tactics for the sports market, with insights to keep up to date with industry trends, competitor activities, identify new opportunities and maintain a competitive edge to ensure individual goal achievement.
• Responsible for soliciting and booking sporting events which utilize public and private sports venues, school facilities, arenas, expo halls, convention center, fields, complexes and hotels.
• Organize and conduct professional and unique site inspections of the VGPS destination catered specifically to the needs of our sports customers.
• Creates and maintains client base for the sports market; strategically builds relationships and networks with planners, decision makers and intermediary clients.
• When necessary, help Local Organizing Committees with hosting tournaments and events.
• Stays abreast of current industry best practices in sports marketing and sales.
• Have experience in coordinating grants, housing or other services to book sporting events.
• Assists Marketing Department with information to promote our destination for sporting events.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with local sports clubs, organizations and venues, to understand partners’ strengths, goals, and objectives, meeting once a quarter and to share ideas about the market conditions, sales strategy for continued growth and interest in the destination.
• Build and maintain a client database within the CRM SimpleView system, to maximize time and knowledge of the accounts.
• Actively prospects sports groups of all levels and sizes, understanding the need periods and demands of the destination.
• Prepare and present formal sales presentations to existing and potential meeting professionals.
• Attend tradeshows, sales missions, client events, site inspections, networking meetings and local meetings to solicit convention business and achieve sales goals.
• Assist with preparing, organizing and conducting professional and unique familiarization tours, sales calls/missions and client events, which may involve VGPS staff and destination partners.

Perform related duties as assigned, special projects and assignments as required. Must be flexible to changing policies and procedures as well as varying deadlines.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS & GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

The employee must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• College degree with a minimum of five years hospitality industry experience preferred.
• Minimum of five years with a destination marketing organization (DMO) and/or global sales organization (GSO) desired.

Core Values

Embody our organization’s core values, which are:

• Balance: We enjoy our best results through a balance of professional and personal achievement.
• Collaboration: We foster our collective strengths.
• Community: We build relationships to unify all and enhance our quality of life.
• Inclusion: We embrace diversity and foster equity and inclusion in all we do.
• Innovation: We dream beyond, challenging the norm and expanding boundaries.
• Integrity: We are honest, ethical, respectful and accountable to deliver our very best.
• Passion: We think, speak and act from the heart.

Leadership

Maintains a positive, upbeat attitude and role in the organization. Promotes and exemplifies VGPS values; represents departmental objectives and interests to internal and external customers and stakeholders.

Commitment to Service

Follows up on telephone calls, e-mails, requests, complaints and challenges; responds quickly to internal and external needs. Develops and promotes teamwork and cooperation among fellow workers and managers/supervisors. Shows an appropriate sense of urgency in completing work and addressing the needs of the department.

Language Skills

Must be able to read and write at a high school graduate or equivalent level. Must be able to analyze and interpret general business information, technical procedures related to the job functions and governmental regulations. Ability to create business reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients, managers, colleagues and the public.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures relative to pricing, percentages, budgets, etc. as required for the position.

Reasoning

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a multitude of variables including, but not limited to, information submitted in oral, written, diagram, report or spreadsheet form.

Required Technical / Other Skills / Licenses

Proficient with business machines such as copy, printer, desktop computers, laptops and cell phones. Proficient with most commonly used business software including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook and any other software programs that are essential to the job function.

Must have a valid driver license and current automobile liability insurance that meets or exceed California requirements. Updated MVRs may be collected periodically. Certain other valid licenses or permits may be required for specific job functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, sit and stand, use hands and finger dexterity; reach with hands and arms; frequently required to walk and stand for long periods of time; occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop or lift up to 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet.

Safety

Employee is required to comply with established safe work practices and attend safety-related training provided or made available by the VGPS.

Company Funds

This position has access to company funds, such as: cash, checks, company credit cards, client credit card information, contracts, other.

Confidential Information

This position has access to confidential information.

NOTE: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Travel reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Compensation Package:

• Performance bonus
• Yearly bonus

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $85,000 - $90,000