National Sales Manager - East (Non DMV)

Summary

Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing organization promoting Chicago as a global visitor destination to business and leisure travelers. The National Sales Manager will develop the corporate and association market on the East Coast, excluding the DMV, generate hotel room-night and new-account production, and secure convention business. The role requires extensive travel, industry sales experience, and collaboration with hotel sales partners.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for booking definite business from Corporate and Association market in the east coast (excluding DMV) region for in-house, focusing on Mid-size and smaller collection conventions
• Ideal candidate will possess strong history in selling to the mid-size, in-house market
• This individual will work closely with VP of Hotel Sales to develop an annual business/market plan, grow and assist in closing business for our member partners
• Develop and maintain a high profile at relevant industry events and trade shows. Current involvement within industry associations is a plus, MPI, PCMA, etc
• Experience working in a collaborative and competitive work environment with a strong team component will be beneficial
• Ideal candidate will have well-developed presentation skills and need to be capable of clearly articulating Chicago’s benefits and points of differentiation from other competing cities
• Working knowledge of hotel capabilities in the Chicago metropolitan area is a plus
• Comply with established policies and guidelines applying Bureau operations and employee conduct
• Develop feasible short and long-term plans and strategies for achieving goals and objectives; anticipate critical obstacles and issues
• Schedule work activities to ensure that deadlines are met and goals are achieved in a timely manner
• On own initiative or as assigned, assist with, and participate in, Bureau projects, functions and special events
• Achieve weekly sales activity targets as established by VP Hotel Sales
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

• 3-5 years in a Sales role at a hotel, GSO/NSO or CVB
• Proven knowledge of sales market, communications and negotiation techniques and strategies
• Proven track record in managing clients from assigned segments
• Proficient in using workplace AI technologies and automation tools to improve efficiency while maintaining strict adherence to data privacy, confidentiality, and company policies
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with a strong knowledge of spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Must be able to speak publicly and give presentations to organizations and community groups
• Ability to represent Choose Chicago in a professional manner while interfacing with internal and external clients; excellent telephone skills
• Possess good organizational and time management skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Self-starter, ability to travel and work independently and be flexible as necessary given it is a new role
• Ability to travel by air or ground transportation as required. Depending on location of individual, extensive traveling may be anticipated for 30% - 40% of the time
• Ability to perform computer work for extended periods of time
• Ideal candidate will possess strong history in selling to the mid-size, in-house market
• Ideal candidate will have well-developed presentation skills and need to be capable of clearly articulating Chicago's benefits and points of differentiation from other competing cities
• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience
• Current involvement within industry associations is a plus, MPI, PCMA, etc
• Experience working in a collaborative and competitive work environment with a strong team component will be beneficial
• Working knowledge of hotel capabilities in the Chicago metropolitan area is a plus
• Knowledge of the City of Chicago, including hotels, attractions, restaurants, and shopping desirable

Qualifications

Must Haves

• 3-5 years in a Sales role at a hotel, GSO/NSO or CVB
• Proven knowledge of sales market, communications and negotiation techniques and strategies
• Proven track record in managing clients from assigned segments
• Proficient in using workplace AI technologies and automation tools to improve efficiency while maintaining strict adherence to data privacy, confidentiality, and company policies
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with a strong knowledge of spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Must be able to speak publicly and give presentations to organizations and community groups
• Ability to represent Choose Chicago in a professional manner while interfacing with internal and external clients; excellent telephone skills
• Possess good organizational and time management skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Self-starter, ability to travel and work independently and be flexible as necessary given it is a new role
• Ability to travel by air or ground transportation as required. Depending on location of individual, extensive traveling may be anticipated for 30% - 40% of the time
• Ability to perform computer work for extended periods of time

Nice to Haves

• Ideal candidate will possess strong history in selling to the mid-size, in-house market
• Ideal candidate will have well-developed presentation skills and need to be capable of clearly articulating Chicago's benefits and points of differentiation from other competing cities
• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience
• Current involvement within industry associations is a plus, MPI, PCMA, etc
• Experience working in a collaborative and competitive work environment with a strong team component will be beneficial
• Working knowledge of hotel capabilities in the Chicago metropolitan area is a plus
• Knowledge of the City of Chicago, including hotels, attractions, restaurants, and shopping desirable

Benefits

• Fully Remote