Regional Director of Group Sales

Job Title: Regional Director of Group Sales 
Reports To: Vice President of Sales & Marketing

General Overview:
Mayflower Cruises & Tours, a national tour company based in Lisle, IL, and a division of Scenic Group, is seeking to hire an experienced sales professional and a highly motivated Regional Director of Group Sales to manage its sales team in the Midwestern U.S. Region.
**Please note that preference will be given to candidates in the Greater Chicago area.

We are looking for a seasoned sales professional who can lead the group's future growth of both our cruise and tour products, while managing a sales team to peak performance. This position is in sales management and reports directly to the Vice President of Sales and Marketing.  This includes achieving monthly and annual sales goals, as well as the development and implementation of strategic sales plans. Developing and establishing strong key business relationships with established group travel producers, as well as identifying new business opportunities, is also a pivotal part of the role in achieving sales goals and team success.

You will be responsible for working with, managing, and growing the Group Sales Team in the Midwest Region, and for assisting them in proactively identifying and winning group business leads for the Mayflower brand. Always representing the company professionally while taking an aggressive approach to sales growth is essential. Adeptness at managing a team, public speaking, building presentations, and communicating through online platforms are all necessary skills to be successful in the job. As the director of a team of sales experts, leadership in weekly meetings, collaboration with peers, associates, other departments at Mayflower Cruises and Tours, and frequent communication to your BDMs are critical in this role.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Develop a strategy to generate new leads, sales, and account retention
• Manage a team of Business Development Managers and track goals and successes
• Motivate Business Development Managers with the intention to generate sales through consistent interaction, engagement, and support
• Plan and attend educational sessions, trade shows, and events in support of Mayflower Cruises and Tours
• Respond and follow up on calls, emails, questions, and issues within 24 hours or less
• Manage the team’s performance based on goals established by senior management through ongoing programs and by encouraging ongoing product knowledge and expertise
• Analyze regional trends to identify sales growth opportunities. Actively collaborate with the VP of Sales and Marketing to develop new approaches to growing the business and increasing engagement
• Develop and continue to find successful promotional practices, and share these successes with the sales team and the other departments as needed
• Manage travel and entertainment expenses to stay within company policy
• Provide competitive sales, marketing, policy, and product intelligence and share with the VP of Sales regularly
• Review and stay current on all company communications, policy changes, product developments, and itinerary changes
• Other duties and attendance at special events as assigned by the VP of Sales

Qualifications

• 5+ years of group travel industry experience
• 5+ years in sales
• Demonstrated successful selling, developing group business, and lead generation
• Experience managing a team of 5 or more
• Excellent industry and group market knowledge
• Able to travel 50% or more of the time
• Tour, river cruise, or ocean cruise experience desired
• Ability to grasp new topics quickly and communicate professionally
• Strong presentation, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage time and prioritize work autonomously
• Self-starter approach to work, with an eagerness to take responsibility and consistently exceed objectives
• Positive attitude, professional demeanor, and adaptability to a changing environment
• Ability to provide and execute creative solutions to challenges
• Ability to multitask and pitch in where needed
• Passion for sales achievement
• Eager to be part of a fast-growing company
• Familiarity with CRM systems, such as Salesforce