Account Executive, Santa Barbara

Job Description

Cohera was born from the merger of 360 Destination Group and CSI DMC and brings together decades of destination management experience under one name. As a company that values innovation, creativity, and excellence, we pride ourselves on utilizing a unique and customized approach to deliver unforgettable events that leave our clients speechless.

We now find ourselves seeking a sales-driven, organized, and hospitality-oriented Account Executive for our Santa Barbara office! As a member of our team, you’ll bring to life a variety of corporate events ranging from carnival-themed seminars to Latin nightclub receptions all while collaborating with professionals who are equally as passionate about creating memorable experiences as you!

This is what WE offer YOU...

• A competitive salary based on experience.
• Incentive eligibility based on program size and profitability.
• Health insurance coverage including medical, vision, and dental.
• Discretionary PTO for vacation and personal time, paid holidays, and paid sick leave accrued based on hours worked.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Company-paid short term and long term disability insurance coverage.
• Company-paid $50,000 basic life insurance.
• Voluntary life insurance.
• Paid DMCP and/or CMP certification.
• Paid industry memberships.

As an ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, you will be...

• Serve as the primary relationship lead for assigned clients and hotel partners.
• Actively prospect and develop new opportunities within designated market territories as currently structured.
• Oversee the development of pricing strategies; ensure alignment with margin targets and financial goals.
• Provide exceptional customer service through the creative development and fulfillment of program content.
• Represent Cohera at national industry events, local industry events, tradeshows and conferences, as required by Supervisor and General Manager.
• Promote destination and company capabilities via sales trips and formal presentations to incentive and corporate clients and hotels, as required by your supervisor and General Manager.
• Develop and nurture consistent relationships with key hotels/hoteliers including but not limited to hotel sales drops, site visits, and hotel outings in collaboration with Business Development (when applicable).
• Organize Familiarization (fam) tours for clients and prospective clients, and directly oversee all local sales-related special projects, including, but not limited to: local client events, hotelier appreciation events, sponsorship and promotional commitments, and planning/execution of sales events with various hotel partners both locally and nationally.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with hoteliers, vendors, CVB, industry consortiums, local clients, and third parties.
• Actively participate in regularly scheduled sales strategy meetings with General Manager or Senior/Director of Sales and Business Development (if applicable). Use of extensive expertise of current and upcoming industry trends and maintaining knowledge of assigned markets and hotel partners via compiling and analyzing data to find trends.
• Develop sales strategies and meet or exceed minimum margin expectations and quotas through program development in accordance with personal sales goals.
• Work as a team with Design and Development Managers, Account Coordinators, Business Development and Strategic Team (if applicable) through production of proposals and maintain oversight over the program details, client relationship, pricing and deadlines throughout the sales process ensuring that deadlines are met both internally and with the clients.
• Conduct site inspections with client working with the Design and Development Manager, Account Coordinator, Strategic Team (if applicable), and Business Development (if applicable) in setting up appointments and creating a timeline. Review the site book to ensure accuracy.
• Understand the site inspection policy and communicate billing procedures to Design and Development and Event Management.
• Maintain Salesforce database with current and future client contact information and needs.
• Record all client communication in Salesforce.
• Proactively reach out to ensure client satisfaction/retention while continuously searching and closing new business.
• Participate in turn-over meeting with Event Manager and Design, Development Manager, Strategic Team (if applicable). Providing key insight into the client, company and program.
• Provide continuous service to customers from program inception through completion, attending pre-convention meetings and maintaining visible presence throughout program operations.
• Support the vision, mission and guiding principles of Cohera.
• Observe applicable Safety, Health, and Environmental rules and guidelines. The use of appropriate personal protective equipment is required.
• Attend and participate in training opportunities and seminars relevant to this position.
• Adhere to appropriate company operating procedures, benefit rules, employment, and safety policies/practices.
• Report to the local office on the specified days determined by the General Manager.

You will stand out from the crowd if you...

• Work as a productive team member, take initiative, act creatively, operate flexibly, and do everything with honesty, integrity, and with a focus on client satisfaction.
• Work well in a fast-paced team environment, work overtime when required, and deliver quality service to our clients.
• Act in a self-starting way, make good independent decisions, and take steps to complete work within time parameters.
• Generate new and innovative ways to improve our company's products and services.
• Recognize essential elements of a challenge and develop creative solutions.
• Are detail-oriented with vendor contracts, invoices, and agreement clauses.
• Respond quickly to changing circumstances and anticipate new developments where possible.
• Give and accept feedback constructively.
• Recognize and consider the client’s expectations and needs and have a “do what it takes” mentality.

We are seeking someone with...

• Six or more years total work experience with a minimum of three years of hospitality (DMC or hotel) experience.
• Two years of sales related experience preferred.
• Advanced skills in CRM systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of the local destination offerings such as restaurants, clubs, festivals, tours, and venues.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Experience using computers, phones, copiers, smart phones, tablets, and other standard office equipment.
• The ability to work as part of a team and independently on projects that require initiative.

Job Conditions:

The specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the associate is:

• Frequently required to perform administrative and professional work using writing tools and electronic media.
• Required to be ambulatory to move around freely between buildings and between levels within buildings.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals associated with office work.

Job Scope & Disclaimer:

This job has recurring work situations involving moderate degrees of discretion. The need for accuracy and effective utilization of accepted policies and procedures is high. Errors in judgment and execution will waste time and resources, adversely impacting unit performance. Employees operate independently but work is verified by supervision. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Acknowledgements:

Cohera is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer / Disability / Veteran.