Vice President of Sales

Department: Convention Sales

Reports to: Executive Vice President

FLSA status: Exempt

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About Visit Austin and Our Mission/Culture:

Visit Austin is charged with marketing Austin nationally and internationally as a premier business and leisure destination, thus enriching our community's overall quality of life.

Visit Austin devotes itself to promoting all things, Austin. This city has a one-of-a-kind culture and universal appeal, and we want to make sure people know about it.

Our values are our guiding principles and fundamental beliefs that define how we desire to work. Values create cohesion across the organization by establishing shared mindsets, behaviors, and expectations that allow everyone to do their best work.

Our Values:

Austin is in our DNA | Listening empowers our work | We are all in this together | You matter | Celebrate wins and learn from losses | Execute with purpose

Objective:

This position is responsible for the management of the Convention Sales Department and ensuring achievement of goals and objectives through completion of the Convention Sales portion of the Visit Austin Marketing Plan.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Must be an Austin resident or willing to relocate.
• Actively engaged in daily operation of the Sales team (i.e., Sales Directors, Managers, Coordinators, and the Austin Sports Commission) to maximize productivity as well as to ensure prompt response and follow- up for our clients and hospitality community.
• Oversee and effectively manage all administration areas related to Sales, including lead distribution, measurement systems, effective and innovative customer events, reporting, CRM documentation and more. Work closely and in tandem with the Director of Market Analysis and Research & sales leadership team for various reports required.
• When necessary, serve as a back-up to generate leads.
• Conduct successful customer site visits on behalf of the sales directors/managers as needed and partner with sales team to ensure clients feel welcomed and valued.
• Lead regularly scheduled Sales Department meetings as well as individual meetings to coach and monitor account management and sales progress.
• Partner with the Austin Convention Center on citywide sales strategy, including customer bids, business evaluation and guidelines and procedures.
• Support Visit Austin partner program sales initiatives in collaboration with the Strategic Alliances department.
• Serve as the primary liaison for sales and other Visit Austin departments in planning for over 100+ customer events throughout the year.
• Along with the Executive Vice President & President & CEO, oversee on-going internal and external Sales training functions.
• Develop and implement goal setting and incentive programs for the Convention Sales team.
• Conduct performance evaluations for Convention Sales staff.
• Oversee and monitor both the Convention Sales and Tourism Public Improvement District Sales Budgets.
• Conduct quarterly Hotel Sales Leader meetings and inform and reach out to the local community on important leads or groups the Sales staff is working on.
• Assist in the preparing & delivering of convention sales reports for the Visit Austin and Tourism Public Improvement District Board of Directors Meetings.
• Maintain a consistent and trustworthy working relationship the hotel and business community, entertainment and meeting venues, convention center and palmer events center, chambers of commerce and local businesses.
• Ensure regular site tours to hotels, off-site venues and local businesses for knowledge and awareness by the sales team.
• Maintain close relationships with all customer market segments and repeat customers.
• Play an active role with key customer industry organizations - supporting our partnership agreements for sales events and marketing deliverables with those organizations.
• Pursue professional growth through ongoing training opportunities.
• Maintain extensive knowledge of Austin and its competitors as a convention and sports destination.
• Coach and mentor the sales team to foster professional development and career growth.
• Implement strategic plan initiatives for the sales department as directed by Visit Austin and the 25-30 Plan.
• Stay current and hands-on with the latest computer systems and software tools provided and effectively use technology without an assistant.
• Present a mature, professional demeanor and lead the Convention Sales Department by example.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of Visit Austin’s policies and procedures and ensure convention sales staff follow them appropriately.
• Complete all special projects as assigned by the President & CEO, and/or the Executive Vice President in a timely manner.

Key Qualifications and Skill Requirements:

• Experience: 5–7 years as Director of Sales for a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) partnering with convention centers and large hotels in a major market. OR: Director of Sales experience at a large convention hotel in a major market.
• Leadership: Serve as a trusted, hands-on leader, providing expert advice and demonstrating excellent communication, organizational, and supervisory skills.
• Proven Success: Demonstrated achievement in booking top national association and corporate convention clients for cities and hotels.
• Availability: Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and travel as business demands.
• Convention Expertise: Extensive background in securing business for convention centers.
• Goal Achievement: Ability to lead teams and consistently meet or exceed sales targets.
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Preferred: Experience with a Tourism Public Improvement District.

Visit Austin participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Visit Austin is an equal opportunity employer.