Sales Manager

Sales Manager

All markets outside of DC/VA/MD with 300-750 peak and 300-499 DC/VA/MC

Reports to: Director of Sales

Status: Full Time (40+ hours)

FSLA: Exempt

Location: Columbus (hybrid work elsewhere locally and Experience Columbus office)

Travel: Local event sites and venues within a 30 miles radius <25% regional and national travel as needed

Experience Columbus Overview

Experience Columbus is the destination marketing organization for the city of Columbus, which is the 15th largest city in the United States and one of the fastest growing cities in the Midwest. Our team is comprised of passionate, smart staff members who are proud to amplify the Columbus community and the amazing people, developments and businesses in our city. Just like the community we serve, Experience Columbus team members are open-minded, hard-working, and welcoming. Beyond our forward-thinking professional development and flexible policies, we’re proud to be a progressive, vibrant, and uplifting workplace.

Every day, the team strives to live out each of the organization’s core values: Value the Voices, Take It On, Live Your Passion, Create Moments and Think Forward. We incorporate these into daily responsibilities and meetings, and they’re crucial to our organization’s interactions with partners and community members — we honor our past and are always looking to the future.

Job Overview:

The Sales Manager is a strategic business driver responsible for positioning Columbus as a premier meetings and events destination. This role proactively develops and converts association, corporate and third-party business requiring 300–750 peak room nights in markets outside Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland, and 300–499 peak room nights within those three markets. The position manages high-value client relationships, collaborates with community partners on competitive proposals and develops creative approaches that inspire clients to choose Columbus.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Sales Strategy & Business Development

- Own all accounts and leads requiring 300–750 peak room nights in all assigned markets outside Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland, and 300–499 peak room nights within Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland.

- Manage the full sales cycle, including prospecting, qualification, relationship development, proposals, bids, presentations, site visits, negotiation, contracting, account management and follow-up.

- Qualify, pursue and convert mid-market opportunities in alignment with community-approved booking guidelines and established individual and team goals.

- Develop and execute sales strategies that support established individual and team goals, including qualified leads, bookings and room nights.

- Prepare accurate, persuasive and customized proposals, bid materials and presentations that position Columbus competitively.

- Create and coordinate targeted customer events in the region and collaborate with Marketing on initiatives that generate interest in Columbus.

- Maintain and grow assigned accounts while identifying new business opportunities within the designated market segments.

- Maintain awareness of industry trends, market conditions, and competitive destinations that may affect Columbus’ ability to win business.

- Become highly knowledgeable about Columbus within the first year, including hotel inventory, convention center capacities and the attendee experience.

- Maintain active membership in organizations such as ASAE, PCMA and MPI, and pursue meaningful committee or leadership involvement where appropriate.

Client, Partner & Community Relationships

- Serve as a trusted point of contact for assigned clients and provide timely, professional communication throughout the sales and planning process.

- Build and maintain strong working relationships with hotels, the Greater Columbus Convention Center, venues, service providers and Experience Columbus team members.

Sites, Events & Industry Engagement

- Plan and conduct site inspections and customer experiences that are relevant to the client’s goals and demonstrate Columbus’ competitive advantages.

- Represent Experience Columbus at appropriate trade shows, conferences, sales events, professional associations and local networking opportunities.

- Strategize, support or participate in familiarization tours, customer events and other sales initiatives designed to generate interest in Columbus.

- Collaborate with Sales, Marketing and Destination Services to develop market-specific initiatives, share destination updates and support a seamless client experience.

- Coordinate the timely turnover of definite bookings to Destination Services and communicate relevant commitments, client goals and event details.

- Contribute ideas and recommendations that strengthen market strategy, sales processes and team performance.

CRM, Reporting & Administration

- Maintain complete, accurate and timely account, contact, profile pipeline, activity, lead and booking records in Simpleview and other required platforms.

- Communicate leads, verifications, decision updates and lost business to partners through the appropriate systems and channels.

- Monitor performance against goals and share relevant sales results, market trends and client feedback.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Specific Requirements

- Experienced in the following areas 4+ years of experience through education, work experience or a combination of both):

- Experience in the hospitality, tourism and/or event management is a plus

- Experience working with a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) or hotel is a plus

- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines.

- Strong attention to detail.

- Highly motivated self-starter.

- The ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

- The ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

- Must be able to facilitate and execute site visits as requested.

- Participation in industry events 2 to 3 times a month, which could include traveling outside the Columbus region.

Experience Columbus Requirements

- Demonstrates strong written and verbal communications skills.

- Demonstrates flexibility and openness to new ideas, and different perspectives.

- Demonstrates the ability to work independently but also can be a collaborative team member.

- Demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

- Demonstrates a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility.

- Proficient in Microsoft Suite 365, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word, and related software.

- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

- Familiar with and advocate for the Columbus region.

- Demonstrates a commitment to our company values: Value the Voices, Think Forward, Take it On, Create Moments and Live your Passion.

- The organization requires all employees to obtain and maintain the Experience Columbus Insider (ECI) accreditation.

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

- Viewing computer monitors

- Frequent talking and/or listening

- Regular Sitting

- General “office load,” i.e.. laptop

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Experience Columbus reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of Experience Columbus or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive .

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Experience Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Experience Columbus is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability, or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Experience Columbus Careers website because of your disability. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis. If you need accommodation or assistance in using the Experience Columbus Careers website,  please call 614-221-6623.