WHO WE ARE

The Director, Group Business Development is responsible for promoting and selling Los Angeles as a premier destination for meetings and conventions. This role involves identifying, developing, and securing new business opportunities through direct sales efforts, client research, and participation in trade shows and industry events. The Director will generate leads, build relationships with key accounts, and collaborate with internal sales teams to fill need periods for local hotels. This position also requires active industry engagement and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships to support Los Angeles Tourism’s sales goals. 

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead the identification, assessment and development of new meeting and convention business opportunities (50+ rooms on peak) for Los Angeles Lead hotels utilizing various prospecting resources. This threshold may be revised as  group pacing increases. (25%)
• Generate leads, prospects and new accounts to support the Los Angeles Tourism Sales Directors in achieving business development and sales booking goals. Evaluate and refer leads to the appropriate sales directors, defining the event parameters and customer requirements to enhance closing potential. Meet or exceed monthly, quarterly and annual solicitation and sales goals. (25%)
• In collaboration with SVP, Convention Sales and SVP, Hotel Sales identify key verticals and target accounts to fill hotel need periods. Proactively solicit new accounts/customers that align with the established strategy. (15%)
• Identify accounts in Simpleview that haven’t been actively worked in the last twelve months and coordinate with Sales Directors to update them. Update Citywide Master profiles to identify next best opportunity, and event parameters. Ensure all new accounts, customer information and sales activities are entered into the sales database with a trace date for either business development or the Sales Director. (10%)
• Maintain industry visibility in the marketplace through membership and participation in chapter meetings of industry associations (MPI, PCMA, IAEE, ASAE, ESPA, etc.), to increase business opportunities by enhancing knowledge and relationships to the meetings/events industry. (10%)
• Continuously collaborate with sales executive team to understand the evolving business needed by stakeholders. Develop and maintain strong stakeholder relationships to effectively represent Los Angeles Tourism in the community. Regularly attend key stakeholder meetings. (10%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)

SOME OTHER THINGS YOU MAY DO

• Maintain regular, detailed, and accurate use of the organization’s CRM (SimpleView) to manage and document all account information, contacts, and proactive selling activity. 
• Maximize the economic impacts of tourism across the region.
• Make tourism indispensable to our community.
• Build a world-class culture and more resilient organization.
• Create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive tourism industry.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED 

• A minimum of 6-8 years’ relevant experience required.
• Must possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license and be able to drive a vehicle for work-related travel as needed and as applicable to the position. 
• Must be willing to partake in a comprehensive background check including a drug test in accordance with applicable laws.
• Willingness to travel at least 30% of the time, mostly local and domestic.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed, typically two or more times per month.
• Ability to establish and maintain a system for assuring high standards of productivity within the department.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to receive and give clear and complete instructions.
• Must be proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Dependable, great attitude, highly motivated and a team player.
• Possess strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• Ability to multi-task and meet multiple deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively across various departments. 
• Ability to work in a changing environment.

NICE TO HAVES 

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• 6+ years sales experience in hotels, convention bureau and/or hospitality related industry.

COMPENSATION RANGE

Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience.

$100,000 - $115,000 annually

Eligible for Sales Incentive Plan

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

At Los Angeles Tourism, we believe your best work happens when you have the tools to stay healthy, enjoy the present moment, save for your future, and look forward to coming into work. That’s why we’re committed to providing a competitive and comprehensive benefits program.

• Hybrid work environment 
• Remote Monday and Friday
• DTLA Tuesday through Thursday
• Company paid parking in DTLA
• Early Friday’s – our office closes every Friday at 2:30 pm
• Holiday Office Closure (December 24th – January 1st)
• 12 Paid Company Holidays
• Paid Vacation Time
• Paid Sick Time
• Paid Floating Holidays
• Paid Family Leave
• Comprehensive health insurance (both PPO and HMO plans available)
• Dental and vision plans (100% employer paid for some elections)
• Pet insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability, Aflac
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Flexible Spending Account (Healthcare & Dependent Care)
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with up to 6% match that vests immediately 
• 401(k) match for qualified student loan payments
• Monthly internet and phone stipend

Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board reserves the right to modify the benefit plans and employee services at any time, with or without notice.   

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS  –  ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL TASKS 

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, move. The employee must occasionally lift, carry, pull, push, transport and/or move up to 40 pounds. Ascends and/or descends stairs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision. Requires prolonged sitting, driving, some bending, some twisting neck and body, some stooping and stretching/reaching (up, down, out), requires grasping, feeling, and detecting, requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, mouse, photocopier, fax machine, telephone, calculator, projector, screen for presentations, and other office equipment on a repetitive basis. Requires normal range of hearing, talking, and eyesight to record, prepare and communicate appropriate reports and information.

• Drive long distances and sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Fly on an airplane and sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Able to get in and out of a vehicle on a regular basis while traveling for work.
• Able to carry, lift, roll luggage or equipment for work-related travel.
• Reliable transportation.

Mandatory Vaccine Requirement: Los Angeles Tourism continues to prioritize the health and safety of our workforce. Consistent with that commitment, in light of the substantial and growing body of evidence that vaccinations remain the most effective protection against the spread the COVID-19, we require that members of our team be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment. For individuals with medical conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs that prevent vaccination, the Company will consider requests for reasonable accommodation consistent with our policy and applicable law.  

EEO & DIVERSITY 

Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board is an equal employment opportunity employer. We pride ourselves on welcoming applicants from all backgrounds regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, marital status, military or veteran status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. 

We’re determined to build a workplace based on inclusive behaviors and equitable systems, where all employees can bring their authentic selves, feel engaged, and share their perspectives as a valued member of Los Angeles Tourism.