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Position Summary

Under the direction of the Chief Sales Officer (CSO), market and sell meeting space for the San Diego Convention Center Corporation (SDCCC) and assist hotels in contracting room blocks to drive San Diego’s Hotel Occupancy Tax and Tourism Marketing District fees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Sales Performance & Business Development:

• Achieve an annual room night booking goal as established by the CSO and approved by the SDCCC. Additional aspects of the goal may include need-time focus, food & beverage (F&B) spend, convention center rental, and other ancillary revenue targets.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales plan to achieve business objectives, including customer retention, new client acquisition, closing strategies, key sales activities, customer-facing events, and participation in relevant trade shows.
• Act as a strategic consultant to clients, understanding their organizational structure, goals, and objectives beyond meeting space needs, and identifying ways San Diego can support their success.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Work closely with the SDCCC, SDTA team members, and the hotel community to drive business results that meet stakeholder needs and enhance San Diego’s competitive position as a meetings and conventions destination.
• Maintain alignment with SDTA messaging and service standards to ensure a cohesive presence in the marketplace.

Market & Industry Expertise:

• Stay well-informed on San Diego’s current business and tourism landscape, including new developments, political issues, restaurant and nightlife updates, airport updates and transportation infrastructure, crime and homelessness, and industry trends impacting meetings and conventions.
• Maintain deep knowledge of competing convention destinations, including convention center offerings, hotel packages, new developments, airlift, and economic or social factors affecting their competitiveness.
• Stay current on industry trends affecting both San Diego and the broader meetings & conventions sector, including hotel contracting, housing trends, homelessness challenges, and proactive strategies to navigate sociopolitical developments or disruptions.

Professional Engagement & Process Improvement:

• Represent SDTA at key national and local industry meetings and trade shows, some of which might include - but not limited to PCMA, MPI, ASAE, CEMA, and IAEE.
• Continuously seek opportunities to improve sales processes and methodologies to help position SDTA as a “Best in Class” organization.
• Communicate and connect with the SDTA team to keep consistent messaging and high standard of service in the marketplace.

Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, hospitality management, or a related field—or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8+ years of sales experience in hospitality, tourism, convention, or service sales, preferably within a large hotel (750+ rooms) or a large-market convention and visitors’ bureau (CVB) or destination marketing organization (DMO).
• Strong understanding of competitive convention center markets, including emerging destinations.
• Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed sales targets and drive revenue growth.
• Ability to assess reports, analyze trends, and adjust sales strategies accordingly.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong group presentation abilities, and the ability to build professional relationships with clients and businesses.
• Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and persuasion skills.
• Strong ability to multitask, prioritize workload, and manage time effectively.
• Proficiency in CRM software (Simpleview preferred), communication and analytics tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• High integrity, ethical standards & compliance, and self-awareness.
• Commitment to company values and fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Must be willing to travel as needed, up to 25%.
• Must be based within 20 miles of a major airport in the Washington Metropolitan Area (DCA, IAD, BWI).

Offer of employment will be contingent upon satisfactorily clearing background checks.

San Diego Tourism Authority is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, veteran status or any other basis covered under applicable law.