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Posted: 06-Mar-23
Location: Santa Monica, California
Type: Full Time
Salary: 120,000 - 150,000
Categories:
SMTT Overview
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, Inc. is a non-profit, non-member organization governed by a board of 11 community individuals. SMTT is the official travel and tourism promotion agency for the City of Santa Monica. It is our job to promote Santa Monica and encourage visitors to stay longer and enjoy more of what our destination has to offer. SMTT operates four (4) visitor serving locations: Visitor Information Kiosk in Palisades Park; Visitor Information Center at the Santa Monica Pier; Visitor Information Center on Main Street; and a Mobile Information Vehicle. For more information, please visit www.santamonica.com.
Position Description
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism is looking for an experienced Director of Global Business Development at the rate of $100k-$125k annually, commensurate on experience, to diligently promote Santa Monica as a top destination for leisure, travel trade, meetings, incentives and events with a focus on responsible tourism. The Director of Global Business Development grows tourism-related revenues in Santa Monica through strategic planning, leadership, industry knowledge and relationships, community assets and evolving tourism practices. They oversee the expanding sales team and representation firms in priority global markets, as well as the development of the department’s annual strategy and programs. They also collaborate with SMTT’s marketing team to develop promotional materials, develop tradeshow displays and plan other promotions required for business development. They will lead the destination team in cooperative marketing campaigns, sales calls, sales missions and trade shows while developing training programs targeted to tour operators, product managers and travel agents. The Director is responsible for a balanced budget and sourcing from markets that meet SMTT’s annual goals and objectives. This position reports directly to the President/CEO.
Responsibilities
Hybrid work from home and in-office position as required; will include offsite events and other travel-related activities.
Staff Management
- Oversee Sales Administrative Assistants, a Coordinator, two Global Sales & Services Managers and a National Sales Manager.
- Outline individual goals with professional development plans; conduct quarterly and annual reviews as per SMTT policy.
- Recommend and participate in the formulation of new policies; and make decisions within existing policies as they have been approved by SMTT leadership ensuring organizational standard operating procedures are followed.
Tourism Development & Strategy
- Develop an annual strategic trade and MICE business development plan in collaboration with the executive team.
- Plan travel trade development activities, including sales missions and trade shows in conjunction with stakeholders, travel trade familiarization tours, etc.
- Manage a database of tourism prospects and leads.
- Design, build and nurture a meetings and events partnership program with key stakeholders, accommodation partners, venues and other potential partners.
- Research, identify and cultivate relationships with various client groups to generate incremental visitation, including sport organizations, executives, meeting professionals, group and FIT tour planners, motorcoach operators and others.
- Manage representation agencies (inclusive of contracting, programs and reporting, billing and vendors as needed).
- Strengthen industry partnerships with state, regional and Brand U.S.A. tourism offices.
- Assess and recommend opportunities for engagement in new markets/segments.
- Maintain and enhance tour operator, wholesaler, DMC and meeting professionals association relationships.
Marketing Campaigns & FAMs
- Collaborate with the Marketing team and representation firms (where applicable) to plan and execute room night sales driving campaigns with tour operators and consortia.
- Oversee co-op programs, promotions and training modules with industry and consortia partners.
- Work in synergy with the Client Services team to plan and execute familiarization tours, trade shows and events in/off site of destination for domestic and international programs.
- Provide direction on content for trade and MICE newsletters.
Financial Management & Reporting
- Knowledge of budgeting and financial management required.
- Develop and manage department budget, deliverables and reports to stakeholders, TMD and SMTT Board of Directors. Account for monthly actuals and budget reporting, inclusive of in-kind contributions, partner fees and billings.
- Oversee the market-specific budgets in collaboration with representation firms and assigned Sales Managers.
- Track monthly reports and campaign results for departmental reporting.
- Ensure research and associated reporting for assigned markets is accurate and up to date.
Industry/City Relations
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with travel industry partners and stakeholders within and outside of the local community and successfully solicit their participation in SMTT programs.
- Establish and manage relationships with counterparts in collaboration with SMTT’s CEO.
- Represent SMTT at virtual and in-person community events and tourism industry functions. Occasional nights and/or weekends may be required.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree and/or minimum of 10 years tourism industry sales experience.
- Professional communication skills with individuals or groups in face-to-face or telephone/teleconference settings.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Outstanding relationship management and leadership skills. ?
- Proven track record working in trade development, marketing and the MICE industry.
- Superb time management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work. ?
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Mac and CRM systems such as SimpleView. ?
- Must be able to travel domestically and internationally. ?
- Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and possession of a clean driving record. ?
- This is an at-will position. As an at-will employer, either SMTT or the employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without good cause or advance notice.
- Physical demands and the work environment described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to engage staff with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk and reach with arms and hands. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and perform repetitive motions 50% of the time.
- We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or other protected characteristics.
How to Apply:
Salary for this position ranges $120-150k per year commensurate on experience.
To apply please email your cover letter, resume and salary requirements to employment@santamonica.com with the subject line TISDIR23.
