Sports Sales Manager

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION:  Promote Bentonville as the ideal sports destination to the state, regional, national, and international marketplace and positively impact the Bentonville economy through sports and tourism visitors. Recruit sports events to be hosted in Bentonville including events, races, tournaments, and meetings and oversee those organizers and event attendees upon their arrival for the event and during the event. Perform all duties in a safe and prudent manner and have ethical behavior to attain our mission.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:  These roles and responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual assigned to this position. They are not intended to be a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, and/or skills required. Other tasks may be assigned as needed.

• Manages traditional sports sales and/or market segments to achieve clearly defined performance goals and objectives. Ie: baseball, softball, tennis, golf, basketball, and so much more.
• Responsible for identifying potential business within a market segment to generate detailed, accurate, and qualified leads and follow-up as necessary to ensure customer needs are met, confirm business, and achieve room night performance measurement expectations     
• Serves as primary representative by attending and participating in industry-related sports events, tradeshows, and promotional events; conducts sales presentations to generate leads and generate room night business to the destination
• Submits accurate and timely reports as directed by the Director of Sales and CEO/President including expense, pre/post trip, production, action plans, sales call plans, and detailed account information.
• Prepares customized bid proposals and conducts bid presentations, develops and implements strategic sales activities, marketing initiatives, and industry events; coordinates customer events, presentations, FAM trips, and site inspections to/from assigned territory and/or market segment.
• Presents accurate information to potential customers regarding facilities including booking policies, sports and meeting facilities rental, capacities, and features, and conducts tours of facilities.
• Maintains an accurate working knowledge of all hotels, attractions, and services, both public and private, available in the area; develops and maintains a close working relationship with personnel from such facilities.
• Manages and researches all market segment accounts for the development and implementation of an effective prospecting process to qualify existing and identify new accounts
• Strategically plans and conducts site inspections to address the specific needs of each customer while highlighting area hotels, facilities, attractions, and community
• Diligently researches availability and uses all available resources to present compatible facilities and competitive rates; maintains consistent and timely responses to all inquiries and probes to identify alternatives and offer acceptable alternatives
• Participates in and serves as the primary representative of the city at industry conferences, tradeshows, and exhibits to promote the area as a sports destination
• Administers database sales software (Simpleview); produces and submits all market booking reports for statistics
• Participates in meetings, events, and activities, both internally and externally, as assigned
• Serves as a primary ambassador for the city including welcoming visitors, consistently checking on events to ensure all needs are met, and further develop professional relationships and repeat business
• Responsible for cultivating relationships with local and regional sports industry sponsors and utilizing those relationships to earn financial and in-kind donations for tournaments and sporting events
• Ability to work weekends and evenings during events is part of this role

Communications and Marketing

·      Assists with website updates and monthly newsletter

·      Researches and assembles market data to identify potential business

·      Assists with producing and distributing annual report with sports info

·      Assists with researching advertising trends in sports markets

SUPERVISORY DUTIES:  Not applicable

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of a cross-section of business disciplines, including sales, marketing, hospitality industry operations, financial and accounting systems, e-commerce, and business communications
• Knowledge of standard office practices and procedures
• Knowledge of computer filing, tracing, and record-keeping systems
• Knowledge of sports and the hospitality/tourism industry
• Skill in account management, direct sales, sales presentations (oral and written), and tradeshow exhibiting
• Ability to conduct market research and analyze and interpret research findings
• Ability to prepare bid proposals and conduct bid presentations
• Ability to compile data and prepare numerical and statistical reports
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with individuals and groups
• College preferred
• Experience in event planning and 2 years in sales preferred
• Experience in CRM software and Microsoft Office preferred