JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for the sales and marketing initiatives of the county as a group travel destination. The position serves a sales role, as well as support staff for the Group Sales Supervisor and may at times provide support to the Marketing and Communications Supervisor. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for the identification and recruitment of planners/event organizers to hold future sporting events and meetings, SMERF related events, association event and other events or meetings in Ocala/Marion County.
• Researches and maintains list of applicable regional, state and national grant programs and applies for funding, as directed.
• Assist the Groups Sales funding program applicants/recipients for the eligibility of funds, both pre and post event.
• Prepares and submits grant applications, funding proposals, and requests for services to appropriate funding sources.
• Ability to travel frequently to represent and market Marion County. This will include regional and out of state travel.
• Regularly represents Marion County as needed at special events, meetings, conferences and tradeshows.
• Mines for and follow up on leads using various databases to support a proactive sales funnel process.
• Ability to work long hours (including nights, weekends, and holidays) as requested.
• Updates customer relationship management (CRM) database on a weekly basis to reflect all tourism projects in the pipeline and ensures completion by scheduled deadlines.
• Goal oriented to increase overnight stays to area accommodations, as defined through annual goal setting with Group Sales Supervisor, Tourism Development Manager and Tourism Development Director
• Researches, plans and works with Group Sales Supervisor and/or Marketing and Communications Supervisor to conduct familiarization tours and site visits for prospective sports/event planners and/or journalists that are seeking information relative to group travel.
• Provides site inspection agendas and details to all venues involved in the tourism industry i.e. venues, hotels, attractions, restaurants, etc.
• In cooperation with and direction from the Group Sales Supervisor, prepares successful bid proposals for selected events, tournaments and championships.
• Develops qualified sales leads and tracks the status of those leads on an ongoing basis via CRM request for proposal (RFP) process.
• Attends various educational seminars as required.
• Provides support to event organizers in the planning and conducting of group events held in Marion County.
• Responsible for generating and tracking sales and events reports, in coordination with the Group Sales Supervisor, to the Tourist Development Council.
• Required to attend events on nights and weekends as directed.
• Participates in tasks and activities that contribute to the development of new business; recruits and fosters group travel business to Marion County.
• Maintains an inventory of sports/meeting/multi-use facilities and develops working relationships with the staff of these facilities; maximizes the use of these facilities. Works with the Tourism Development Specialist to ensure updated information is available for ocalamarion.com.
• Identifies and researched events that could be held in the area.
• Maintains accurate and pertinent sports/events calendars in coordination with the Tourism Development Specialist.
• Supports the promotion of Marion County as a sports, convention, meeting, seminar, training and tradeshow destination through personal contact, sales calls, emails, and sales blitzes and industry tradeshows.
• Maintains working relationships with staff at Marion County hotels/motels, sports venues, meeting facilities, attractions and restaurants.
• Works with Group Sales Supervisor and Tourism Development Manager to ensure appropriate contracts are in place for any events that are being held in the destination/receiving reimbursement.
• Job requires frequent travel and non-traditional work hours. Good communication skills, both written and oral, are necessary. An understanding of methods, procedures and techniques is also required. Individual must interface well with Tourism Development staff, hotels, clients and exhibit facilities. Provides excellent customer service to members of the general public and other County employees. Personal contact occurs with other employees of the unit, employees of other departments in the County, citizens, and customers of the department. Service is provided in person or by phone contact.
• Implements the organization’s guiding principles and core values.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited educational institution with Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Tourism, Sports Management, Hospitality or related field and at least two (2) years of progressive marketing, sales, outreach or tourism experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training or experience. Previous tourism or hospitality experience preferred, but not required.

Licenses or Certifications:

Possession of a valid, State of Florida driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle. Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to  calculate  figures  and  amounts  such  as  discounts,  interest,  commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardized exists.
• Interprets complex and detailed technical data.
• May participate in development of policy, programs, plans, or procedures. Study manual work process to determine most effective methods as essential tasks.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting department rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to present programs and ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of bid proposals and presentation to boards of directors and committees.
• Knowledge of the roles played by national tour and travel organizations, travel agents, and tour operators.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to foster positive and productive team relationships.
• Ability to make recommendations and to use resourcefulness and tact in solving new problems.
• Strong negotiating, analytical and research skills; ability to ascertain priorities and meet deadlines and objectives.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Skill in the use of standard office computer equipment and software applications; ability to maintain accurate records and reports.
• Must be willing and able to travel.
• Ability to be a self-starter with ability to set/achieve sales goals.
• Ability and mobility to set up displays, exhibits and transport corresponding materials.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to take a teamwork approach to the job by cooperating with others, offering to help others when needed, and considering larger organization or team goals rather than individual concerns.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will occasionally be required to handle, hear, kneel, lift, reach, speak, stand, walk, and stoop.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job the employee will this job is a typical indoors office environment however occasionally be exposed to outdoor weather conditions when assisting with sports events and travel to different locations for meetings, site visits, tradeshows and events. The noise level for this environment is moderate.

Marion County has the right to revise this job description at any time. This

 description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.

About Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau

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