Careers

The mission of the San Francisco Travel Association is to enhance the local economy by marketing San Francisco and the Bay Area as the premier destination for conventions, meetings events and leisure travel. We are the economic engine for the city, and travel is our fuel.

Current Staff Openings:

Vice President, Convention Sales

The mission of the San Francisco Travel Association is to enhance the local economy by marketing San Francisco and the Bay Area as the premier destination for conventions, meetings events and leisure travel. We are the economic engine for the city, and travel is our fuel – it is solely our unique point of view as the city’s travel expert that allows us to see the entire destination rather than industry-by-industry.

Serve as member of the Convention Sales team to oversee all B2B sales activities of the San Francisco Travel Association. Responsibility for all Convention and Sales Development division activities including citywide group business optimization, long-range sales and marketing of the City and County of San Francisco’s major convention facilities and ensuring B2B customer satisfaction. The role will help guide strategic decisions related to attracting group business to San Francisco. Work closely with the President and SF Travel executive team. Direct reports the citywide directors and senior directors.

Responsible for Division budgetary matters to include planning and implementation of programs. Interfaces with SF Travel’s Meetings & Convention Council; leadership of the Moscone Center and City and County of San Francisco; SF Travel members/partners; and key community stakeholders. 

What you will be doing:

• Very high visibility internally and externally, including customer/stakeholder groups as appropriate.
• Manages and leads convention citywide staff in the San Francisco HQ office and the remote citywide directors/sr. directors.
• Interacts with industry peers to identify, implement, and improve on best practices.
• Coordinates 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.
• Collaborates closely with senior leadership at Moscone Center.
• Collaborates closely with San Francisco’s Director of Facility Services
• Collaborates with and manages expectations of EVP, Sales.
• Stakeholder relations – Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including members of the SF Travel Board of Directors, SFTID Board of Directors, elected officials, city government staff, hotel owners/general managers/DOSMs, members/partners, media, hospitality industry officials (US Travel, CTTC, DMAI, California Travel Association), and others. Serve as organizational spokesperson as appropriate and represent SF Travel as a San Francisco and industry sales expert in presentations, on panels, etc.

Convention Sales Leadership:

Plan – Lead the convention sales planning and strategic efforts, including: 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.

Find – Lead the 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).

Win – Lead the 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.

Keep – Lead the 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.

Report – Lead the convention sales efforts to communicate results and challenges with stakeholders, including: providing leadership as staff liaison to the Meetings & Convention Council and DOS/M Forum; providing convention sales insights and updates to the SF Travel Board of Directors; analyzing and communicating insights on TAP Reports; 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises Convention Sales Citywide team. Carries 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:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• 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.

Personal Attributes:  Candidate must be extremely well organized, highly skilled in Microsoft Office Suite with excellent oral and written communication skills.  Successful candidate will have a solid knowledge of San Francisco.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• An interest in working collaboratively and individually
• Adaptable to new technologies and learning new systems
• Ability to identify and develop new processes that provide better efficiencies
• Highly organized and outstanding attention to detail
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and keep up in a fast-paced environment
• Additional language skills helpful

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 three days a week + you get 20 work from anywhere days a year (that’s a whole month)
• 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 our phone plan
• Monthly Commuter allowance 

Compensation Range

The total compensation range which includes base salary, 12%- 15% incentive (of base salary) and estimated pension contribution is $143,040 to $252,120.

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)
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 expectations
4. Please submit to the following email link (it must include an attachment) to:  Resume and Cover Letter Submittal

Associate, Global Tourism Development

The mission of the San Francisco Travel Association is to enhance the local economy by marketing San Francisco and the Bay Area as the premier destination for conventions, meetings events and leisure travel. We are the economic engine for the city, and travel is our fuel – it is solely our unique point of view as the city’s travel expert that allows us to see the entire destination rather than industry-by-industry.

We are seeking an energetic, enthusiastic, detail-oriented, and highly organized Associate, Tourism, supporting the International Tourism team.  The Global Tourism Development team promotes San Francisco as a destination to travel producers, including tour wholesalers, retail agencies, product managers, and travel planners domestically and internationally. The division is also responsible for providing an extensive scope of work for SFO International Airport covering international marketing and aviation development.  This position supports the execution of these programs through a variety of administrative functions and activities.

This includes database management, responding to trade inquiries, processing expenses, division reports, and organization of some trade familiarization tours. Additionally, it will act as the power user in the department for software needs including Salesforce and other platforms. Limited domestic travel may be required.

What you will be doing:

• SFO contract management & support:

• • Provide administrative support for SFO account management
  • Oversee back-office functions and streamline processes
  • Ensure contractual compliance requirements are adhered to
  • Compile monthly reports from international agencies and convey to SFO team in timely manner
  • Run monthly billable hours
  • Run monthly invoices
  • Assist with additional SFO projects, e.g. FAM operations, event planning and others
     
• Provide administrative support for EVP & Sr. Director of Tourism:
• • Assist in recording and tracking of leads, incl. collecting/filing all member responses and systematically follow up with trade to determine level of response, status and ultimate outcome for leads
  • Assist with trade show and mission preparation
  • Provide general back-office support
     
• Budget & reporting:
• • Assist with division budget preparation and entry.
  • Monitor program spend and run reports.
                                
• International agency support:
• Provide logistical support in managing international agencies to ensure smooth interface between head office
• Process retainer and marketing fee invoices
• Monitor payment activities
   
• Database management:

·       Support department’s processes in Salesforce and other applications
·       Assist in recording and tracking of leads. Collect and file all member responses and systematically follow up with trade to determine level of response, status and ultimate outcome for leads.
·       Maintain tourism account database
·       Develop and run reports as needed

• Other:

• • Assist in coordinating logistics of trade familiarization visits to SF. Tasks include but not limited to disseminating FAM tour leads, coordinating members’ responses, preparing itineraries and coordinating distribution of materials to the participants.
  • Monitor the general Tourism Sales inbox and respond to trade inquiries via e-mail and phone on a regular basis.
  • Handle trade inquiries and troubleshoot concerns.
  • Oversee distribution of SF Travel materials though fulfillment house and maintain and monitor Tourism Department inventory fulfillment and tracking.
  • Update Tourism travel schedule calendar and Tourism webpage.
  • Assist in recording and tracking of leads. Collect and file all member responses and systematically follow up with trade to determine level of response, status and ultimate outcome for leads.
  • Assist Senior Director and EVP with client management and assistance including:

• Disseminating leads, including tradeshow and event follow up.
  • Handling general trade inquiries
  • Responding to client information requests
  • Itinerary development
  • Update virtual platforms, such as online educational tool
  • Travel trade newsletter

Personal Attributes:

Candidate must be extremely well organized, highly skilled in Microsoft Office Suite with excellent oral and written communication skills.  Successful candidate will have a solid knowledge of San Francisco. 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• An interest in working collaboratively and individually
• Adaptable to new technologies and learning new systems
• Ability to identify and develop new processes that provide better efficiencies
• Highly organized and outstanding attention to detail
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and keep up in a fast-paced environment
• Additional language skills helpful

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 three days a week + you get 20 work from anywhere days a year (that’s a whole month)
•  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 our phone plan
•  Monthly Commuter allowance 

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, a candidate must be a fast learner, versatile, enthusiastic, and a team player who has the following characteristics:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• An interest in working collaboratively and individually
• Adaptable to new technologies and learning new systems
• Ability to identify and develop new processes that provide better efficiencies
• Highly organized and outstanding attention to detail
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and keep up in a fast-paced environment
• Additional language skills helpful

Compensation Range

The total compensation range which includes base salary, 10% incentive (of base salary) and estimated pension contribution is $39,380 to $81,570

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)
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 expectations
4. Please submit to the following email link (it must include an attachment) to:  Resume and Cover Letter Submittal

Current Volunteer Openings: 

San Francisco Volunteer Ambassador

The San Francisco Visitor Information Center is temporarily closed.

Current Internship Openings:

San Francisco Travel is accepting internship applications for 2023. We support undergraduate students enrolled in Bay Area universities and colleges in Hospitality Programs.  Please contact Paul Frentsos at [email protected] if interested in learning more about our internship opportunities.