Director Sales & Marketing Leader

Job Description

Job Description

Director of Sales and Marketing

Are you passionate about hospitality and creating exceptional guest experiences? Pontoon Saloon and Nashville Water Taxi, Nashville’s premier passenger vessel operations, are looking for an experienced manager within hospitality to lead our dynamic team. This role is perfect for a self-starter with a strong work ethic and a knack for growing business in a startup atmosphere. Must have management experience, hospitality sales experience, and be organized and detail-oriented. 

Job Description: Director of Sales and Marketing

Company: Pontoon Saloon.

Reports to: [Founder / CEO / General Manager].

Direct Reports: Marketing & Private Cruise Manager; 5x Sales & Ticketing Representatives (Hybrid/Virtual).

Role Summary:

As the Director of Sales and Marketing, you will be the commercial engine of the Pontoon Saloon. You are responsible for driving revenue growth, maximizing vessel occupancy, and leading our multi-channel sales and marketing strategies. You will manage, train, and scale a high-performing team of 6+, including virtual and in-person sales representatives and our Marketing & Private Cruise leads. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who knows how to blend aggressive outbound sales with localized marketing and dynamic ticketing strategies to scale our passenger vessel growth.

Core Responsibilities: 1. Leadership & Team Development:

• Build and Scale: Lead a blended team of 6+ virtual/in-person sales representatives and 1 Marketing & Private Events lead & social media coordinator.
• Target Setting: Establish clear, measurable daily/weekly/monthly KPIs for the sales team (e.g., outbound calls, charter close rates, ticket upsells).
• Training & Hiring: Own the recruitment, onboarding, and continuous sales training for all sales staff. Coach the team on objection handling, closing corporate charters, and delivering exceptional pre-boarding customer service.
• Culture: Foster a high-energy, accountable, and rewarding sales culture that aligns with the fun, energetic brand of the Pontoon Saloon.

2. Ticketing & Revenue Management:

• Ticketing Oversight: Serve as the strategic owner of our ticketing platform. Optimize the booking funnel to reduce friction and increase conversion rates.
• Yield Management: Implement dynamic pricing strategies for peak weekends, holidays, and slow seasons to maximize revenue per vessel.
• Inventory Control: Monitor booking trends to strategically adjust public ticket availability versus private charter inventory.

3. Sales & Business Development:

• Private Charters & Events: Guide the Marketing & Private Cruise Manager in targeting high-value group sales, including corporate outings, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and team-building events.
• B2B Partnerships: Build strategic partnerships with local concierges, destination management companies (DMCs), event planners, and local hotels to drive referral bookings.
• OTA Management: Oversee our listings on Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like TripAdvisor/Viator and GetYourGuide, ensuring we maintain high visibility and protect our margins.

4. Marketing Strategy:

• Brand Oversight: Direct the overall marketing strategy, ensuring all digital ads, social media, and email campaigns drive measurable ticket sales.
• Budgeting: Manage the marketing budget, measuring Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Return on Ad Spend (ROAS).
• Content & Promotion: Collaborate with the Marketing Manager & Marketing Agency to develop promotional calendars, off-season campaigns, and localized guerrilla marketing efforts.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience in sales and marketing, preferably within the passenger vessel, tour/activity, or experiential hospitality industry.
• Leadership: Proven track record of hiring, training, and managing remote or hybrid sales teams.
• Tech-Savvy: Deep familiarity with tour ticketing software (e.g., FareHarbor, Peek Pro, RocketRez) and modern CRM systems (e.g., GHL, HubSpot).
• Strategic Thinker: Strong analytical skills with the ability to forecast revenue, set budgets, and use data to drive commercial decisions.
• Vibe: An entrepreneurial mindset with the energy and communication skills required to represent a high-energy entertainment brand.

Compensation is base salary plus a bonus based on quarterly/annual company performance.