National Sales Director, Chicago

About the San Diego Tourism Authority

The San Diego Tourism Authority’s mission is to drive visitor demand to economically benefit the San Diego Region. In San Diego, we believe tourism is for all. The San Diego Tourism Authority is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and destination where everyone is welcome, valued, and empowered to thrive. Tourism is the second largest segment of San Diego's economy and is vitally important to the economic health of the region. See Why Travel Matters to all San Diegans.

The San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) is a private, non-profit, mutual benefit corporation composed of approximately 1,000 member organizations, businesses, local governments, and individuals seeking a better community through the visitor industry. San Diego Tourism Authority members include tourism-related entities in such categories as lodging, dining, arts, attractions, shopping, and transportation, among others, as well as other companies indirectly involved in tourism.

 As a sales and marketing organization, the main objective of the San Diego Tourism Authority is to promote and market the San Diego region as a preferred vacation and meeting destination. The San Diego Tourism Authority also represents and supports the interests of the visitor industry as a whole. The majority of funding received by the San Diego Tourism Authority is derived from San Diego Tourism Marketing District (TMD) Assessment Funds. The San Diego Tourism Authority also receives financial support from member dues and promotional assistance from the membership through donated in-kind services.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Chief Sales Officer (CSO), the National Sales Director will market and sell meeting space for the San Diego Convention Center Corporation (SDCCC). In addition, the position will assist hotels in 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 an annual 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.
• Be constantly visible in your market through in-person sales appointments, sales presentations and appropriate networking/industry events.

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 as determined by CSO, which may 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.
• 5+ 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 Chicago, IL area.

Benefits Options Include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Flex Spending and Dependent Care plans
• Matching 401k

Annualized salary range is $115k to $125k DOE plus incentive.

To Apply: Complete the online application, including submitting a current resume and a cover letter. 

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.