GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Under limited supervision, this position is responsible for developing and implementing sales, business and marketing strategies to promote the City of Newport News as a meeting and tourism destination to group markets with the goal of generating travel-related revenue in the City. Reports to the Tourism Manager.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Develops, coordinates, and implements comprehensive sales and marketing strategies to include sales calls, both in-market and out-of-market; solicits state, regional, national, and international group tours through phone/sales calls, emails, letters, and bid presentations. Attends trade shows to promote group tour destination, conducts follow-up, and reports return on investment. Plans site visits, encourages strong participation in tours, leads engaging and entertaining tours for travel planners, and makes follow-up contact after visitations.

Creates marketing concepts for a variety of published and electronic materials to include profile sheets, flyers, group planners, coupon books, newsletter, and mailings; supports with creation of videos, commercials, and photography sessions. Develops partnerships with regional and state-wide marking organizations; assists with department marketing plan and other strategic initiatives.

Serves as an administrator for the City’s sales software system (iDSS); responsible for database maintenance and annual audit of sales files; compiles departmental sales statistics and monthly reports. Identifies potential business prospects; maintains prospect files, accounts, and strategic partnerships.

Represents the City of Newport News on committees related to tourism; speaking with associations and groups to generate tourism interest. Serves as a member of the Newport News Hospitality Association. Supports the Communications and Tourism divisions with special projects.

Performs other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s Values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

· Sales and Business Development– Clear understanding and experience in sales, business development, and marketing principles and techniques.
· Tourism – Knowledge of travel and tourism; policies and procedures; organization and functions of the Tourism Department; and of the geographic layout of the City, including all tourist attractions.
· Customer Service – Thorough knowledge of principles and processes for providing exceptional customer service, including quality standards for services and how to evaluate customer satisfaction.

REQUIRED SKILLS

· Computer Skills – Utilizes a personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet, database and related software to effectively complete a variety of administrative tasks with reasonable speed and accuracy.
· Interpersonal Relationships – Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees, managers, and representatives from other departments and organizations.
· Judgement/Decision Making –Uses logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate situations and exercise good judgment to make appropriate decisions.
· Time Management - Plans and organizes daily work routine. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Implements work activities in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.

REQUIRED ABILITIES

· Accounting/Budgeting - Ability to perform arithmetic, algebraic, and statistical applications. Ability to employ economic and accounting principles and practices in the analysis and reporting of data.
· Communication – Ability to communicate ideas and proposals effectively so others will understand. Ability to listen and understand information and ideas presented verbally and in writing. Ability to write creatively, clearly, and concisely.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Tourism, Business Administration or a related field and 3-5 years related sales or marketing experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Acceptable general background check to include a state and local criminal history check and a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

· Tasks require the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work.
· Some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling.

· Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (10-20 pounds).

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

· Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals.
· Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dust, pollen, and traffic hazards.