Vice President, Meeting and Convention Sales (Location: San Francisco, CA)

Job Description: This position is a member of our Convention Sales team and oversees all B2B sales activities of our San Francisco based meetings and events sales staff. The role will help guide strategic decisions related to attracting group business to San Francisco and work closely with the President and SF Travel executive team. Direct reports include all San Francisco based citywide and self contained sales staff.

What you will be doing:

Responsibility for Results

• Share responsibility for developing and implementing our annual Convention and Sales Development activities including citywide group business development, long-range sales strategy and the global positioning of San Francisco's major convention facilities.
• Share responsibility for departmental budget, matters to include planning and implementation of programs and monitoring annual performance measures.
• Participate in SF Travel’s Meetings & Convention Council
• Interact regularly with the leadership of the Moscone Center, SF Travel members/partners, and key community stakeholders.

Responsibility for Relationships

• Have very high visibility internally and externally, including customer/stakeholder groups as appropriate.
• Manage and lead SF based meetings and convention sales staff.
• Interact with industry peers to identify, implement, and improve on best practices.
• Coordinate with other VPs at SF Travel. Coordinates with staff at all impact levels as necessary and understands that internal relationships are as important as external relationships.
• Communicate with appropriate diplomacy and sensitivity in both internal and external relations.
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership at Moscone Center.
• Collaborate closely with SF Travel staff.
• Collaborate with and manages expectations of EVP, Sales.

Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders that engage and support the meetings and events industry, including members of the SF Travel Board of Directors, Moscone Center staff, hotel owners/general managers/DOSMs, members/partners, media, hospitality industry professionals and others.
• Serve as organizational spokesperson as appropriate and represent SF Travel and the destination of San Francisco in presentations, on panels, etc.

Meetings and Convention Sales Leadership

• Participates in the implementation of the annual work plan, with a focus on soliciting, assessing and implementing stakeholder input/feedback on sales priorities, targets, program of work and budget; establishing and refining sales team deployment strategies; developing and refining Moscone business optimization guidelines; continually refining internal sales processes and effective use of CRM; setting sales team goals; and developing, recommending and implementing sales team compensation and incentive plan.
• Lead the meetings and convention sales business development efforts, including developing prospecting strategies; prioritization of existing accounts; working closely with CMO and marketing staff to "create demand" for San Francisco as a convention and meeting destination via brand strategy and marketing promotions; maximizing impact of sales calls; and maximizing impact of trade shows (including pre-show promotion and post-show follow-up).
• Lead the meetings and convention sales efforts to close business, including: managing value/cost-competitiveness issues such as space pricing, buy-down funds, rebates, and F&B costs; overseeing bids, proposals and presentations; working closely with CMO and marketing staff to develop compelling leave-behinds, videos and other sales materials; ensuring sales staff preparedness and persuasiveness; managing negotiations and issue resolution; maximizing the impact of site inspections for tentative groups; ensuring coordination and integration of SF Travel, hotel, and Moscone Center sales efforts; and managing Moscone space/date issues for tentative groups.
• As a senior leader, this position is responsible for helping to retain customers by engaging during and outside of business hours with key customers. Along with helping maintain accounts, this position will have a key role in the development, maintenance and retainment of top accounts/customers. This includes being accountable for booking/re-booking key accounts.
• Lead the meeting and convention sales efforts to keep existing customers, including ensuring seamless integration between the SF Travel sales and services teams; identifying and addressing issues with hotel and/or Moscone service; developing and implementing customer recognition programs and impactful client events; ensuring strong ongoing account management and relationship-building with meeting decision-makers; and maximizing the value of the Customer Advisory Council.
• Lead the meetings and convention sales efforts to communicate results and challenges with stakeholders, including: participation in the Meetings & Convention Council and DOS/M Forum; analyzing and communicating insights on our competitive set; refining and delivering monthly production and other sales reports; managing on-going communications with hotel and venue partners through FTF/webinar meetings and e-communication; and ensuring accountability through file audits.

Internal Sales Team

• Directly supervise San Francisco based sales team.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities with the San Francisco Travel Association’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 resolving problems.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, communications, hospitality management, or similar; MBA desirable but not essential
• 10+ years' experience in the hospitality industry directly related to sales, with at least 5 years' experience in an executive and/or senior sales leadership role.
• Prior destination marketing, hotel sales, convention center sales, international tourism development, and/or similar hospitality industry sales experience required.
• Must possess administrative skills with budget experience and excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate and work well with others in a professional office environment.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities.

Work Environment

San Francisco Travel's headquarters is located in the heart of the financial district boasting 360° views of the city.  The work environment is fast-pasted, dynamic, as well as fun and rewarding.  As the official Destination Marketing Organization, employees truly feel part of the city, taking care in their work, knowing it is contributing to the economic development of San Francisco.

While promoting one of the greatest cities in the world, we have plenty more to offer:

• Generous vacation policy. You'll get more than the typical 10 days.
• Flexible hybrid work policy. San Francisco Travel is in the office four days a week with the option of one work from home day per week.
• Aside from all the national holidays that San Francisco Travel observes, you get a day off for your birthday that you can use any time of the year.
• You get a pension. We will contribute and help you prepare for your future.
• Premium healthcare plans.
• Cell phone credit. We'll subsidize the cost of your phone plan.
• Monthly commuter allowance.

Why Join Us: San Francisco Travel Association offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development. As part of our team, you will play a key role in promoting San Francisco and supporting the tourism industry in one of the world's most vibrant cities.

Remote Work Policy: Employees of San Francisco Travel are required to be in-the-office a minimum of 4-days per week per company policy, which is subject to change.

Compensation: The total compensation range, which includes base salary and targeted incentive/bonus is $180,000 to $250,000. Health care and other benefits are in addition to the listed compensation range.

If you think you are the right candidate for this position, please provide us with the following:

1. Cover letter (no more than a page, telling us why you're the right person for this role). This is a very important step in the application process, so please take time to answer thoughtfully and thoroughly.
2. Detailed resume of your relevant experience – note that a resume sent without a creative and functionally informative cover letter will only minimally be considered.
3. Future income requirements and/or goals.

Send to: [email protected]

San Francisco Travel Association is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

To learn more about us, check out our website–https://www.sftravel.com