City of Tampa

This is responsible administrative and public contact work in marketing, sales, booking functions, and promotion of the city’s Convention Center.

An employee in this class, under direction, develops and implements sales and marketing plans for the Tampa Convention Center maximizing the Convention facilities to its full potential. Work is of considerable difficulty and includes defining and implementing marketing strategies through direct sales solicitation of associations, corporations, trade shows, local and public consumer shows, general meetings, and catered functions producing a positive economic or other desirable impact for the city. Additionally, the employee is responsible for the development and implementation of operational policies and procedures designed to promote efficiency and quality of service; building policies and procedures, rental rates, advertising strategies, special promotions and interdepartmental coordination as directed by the Center Administrator. The position requires that work be performed periodically on weekends, after hours and holidays; there will be travel requirements of approximately 10 – 15 days per year involving sales missions. Work requires the exercise of extensive initiative and independent judgment and is reviewed through reports submitted and results achieved. Appointed position; employee serves at the pleasure of the Mayor.

Supervising all sales efforts including: promotional campaigns, yield management, booking strategies for off-peak usage, accountable for the accuracy of the reservation booking system and oversees the contracting process to ensure that booking guidelines are followed.

Developing and implementing sales and marketing plans with a primary focus on maximizing rental and supplemental revenue opportunities and ensuring a high public profile for the Tampa Convention Center.

Developing, prioritizing and implementing the sales and marketing budget each year.

Building and maintaining an effective working relationship with the Tampa Bay and Company (Convention and Visitors Bureau) and local hotel sales teams to ensure maximum use of the facility for citywide conventions.

Developing and implementing operational policies designed to promote efficiency, and provide outstanding customer service and teamwork.

Ensuring positive communication, support and coordination with all internal building departments, service providers, city departments, vendors and external users of the Convention Center.

Interviewing, selecting, training, coaching, encouraging, supervising, and leading all members of the Sales Team.

Arranges site visits, tours and familiarization trips for potential clients, organizations and meeting planners.

Analyzes sales techniques, space availability, room night production, revenue generating options and related factors in negotiating the price structure for the building.

Making public presentations, hosting potential clients for social functions and maintaining effective business relationships with destination partners.

Creates benchmarking metrics and reports to compare year to year results for bookings, revenue production and room night generation.

Performs related work as required.

Considerable knowledge of: time management skills, strategic planning and effective sales techniques; principles and best practices involved in the management of public events and convention facilities; groups which utilize such facilities; principles and procedures of writing, editing and informational media usage as applied to public relations and the convention center industry; modern developments, current literature, and sources of information relating to the convention center industry; techniques of making professional presentations in a variety of settings; business English, spelling, grammar, and mathematical skills.

Working knowledge of: effective supervisory methods, motivational techniques, coaching practices, teamwork development, and leadership skills.

Ability to: write and speak clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings; establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, employees, representatives of local community groups, including the Tampa Bay and Company, hotel sales teams, media representative, and the public; deal with public relations issues effectively, courteously, and tactfully; prepare a marketing plan, statistical reports and financial statements; interpret diagrams, graphs and computer models; learn and effectively use the in-house ConCentrics event booking software; seek improvements in methods of solicitation; keep abreast of innovations, improvements in building and office procedures, and trend developments in the industry.

Skill in: making sales presentations in a variety of settings; internet utilization and Microsoft Office.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, business or public administration, mass communications or closely related field and three (3) years of experience in developing and managing a sales/marketing department for a public assembly facility or convention center, including strong supervisory experience.

Possession of a valid drivers license may be required.

During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.