Position Summary: The Group Sales Manager connects our community and area organizations to nature and wildlife by creating unforgettable and inspirational group experiences at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. This role actively prospects for, solicits, and sells group experiences that exceed visitor expectations. This position performs a range of duties including generating and nurturing leads, selling group experiences, creating proposals, managing group sales inquiries, and assisting with corporate sales to help drive event revenue.
Responsibilities/Duties (include, but are not limited to):
- Facilitate excellent communication with new prospects, repeat/booked clients, and internal departments to ensure the smooth execution of events like FCC Night, Pride Night, Cincinnati Opera's Back to the Zoo, etc.
- Schedule venue tours and generate proposals for prospective and booked clients to generate event plans within client budgets.
- Employ strategic sales techniques to upsell Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden offerings to enhance revenue generation. Acts as the main point of contact for ticket sales to corporations, groups, hotels, community partners, and third-party ticket vendors.
- Maintain open and constructive working relationships with all internal departments (Visitor Experience, Park Services, Public Safety, IT, Animal, Maintenance/Facilities, Horticulture, Sustainability, Conservation, Development, SSA Food/Retail/Catering/Private Events teams), ensuring the Zoo's preparedness for group arrivals.
- Work with the Zoo's Marketing and Graphics team to provide direction for promotional/collateral material to use at trade shows, conferences, and networking events.
- Foster strong individual and organizational business contacts within the industry to increase client account retention and serve as the Zoo's travel and tourism liaison. Research new ideas in the industry to stay up-to-date on trends to implement at our Zoo, while networking with others to share best practices. Always looking to build efficiencies and enhance the visitor experience.
- Consistently drive operational excellence and team success through dynamic management of part-time Group Sales Associate(s) and Zoo's volunteer staff for special events, ensuring a positive team culture.
- Provide support to the Special Events Manager and Special Events Coordinator for ZooLaLa, Zoofari, Toast to the Wild, HallZOOween, etc.
- Ensure birthday parties at the Zoo are flawlessly executed through collaboration with the event team.
- Work closely with the Zoo's catering partner, SSA, to set pricing, generate event plans, print event tickets, etc.
- Order necessary materials, supplies, and tickets, ensuring timely replenishment as needed.
- Perform administrative duties including, but not limited to, running client payments, invoicing, ticket issuance, online ticket support, budget management, and weekly reporting as needed.
- Performs other duties and special projects as assigned to support department goals and Zoo mission.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
- A Bachelor's degree in marketing, sales, communications, business, events, or a related field is desired.
- A minimum of three years successful experience in the sales/events field. Specific attraction, leisure, or hospitality industry experience is a plus.
- Previous experience leading a team and demonstrated experience in building collaboration among cross-departmental teams.
- Proven experience in project management and budget control is highly desired.
- Excellent computer skills required; Familiarity with ticketing, database, CRM systems a plus (i.e. Gateway's Galaxy and Microsoft Dynamics).
- Equivalent combinations of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job will be considered.
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Working Conditions/Other Requirements
- Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a post-offer, pre-employment drug & nicotine screen, TB test, and background check.
- While performing the duties of the job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, walk, and perform physical labor to assist with event set-up.
- The candidate may be exposed to outside weather conditions.
- Must be able to lift/move/carry up to 35 pounds without assistance.
- Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable to drive a Zoo vehicle.
- Ability to work nights/weekends/holidays and long hours, when required for events.
- Must also have the manual dexterity to use a computer mouse and keyboard.
Position Details: This position is full-time, overtime-exempt, and is eligible for the Zoo's benefit programs for non-union employees. We offer a comprehensive benefits package in support of our employees' Total Well-Being including affordable medical, dental & vision coverage; free mental health counseling and coaching, 401(k) plan with company match; flexible spending accounts; generous paid time off banks; company-paid disability & life insurance; park discounts and free passes. To apply for this position: Cover letter and resume should be attached to your online application.
We strive to be an organization that is diverse and reflects the fullness of society. With a strongly held value for an organizational culture characterized by inclusion and belonging, we are committed to equity in all we do. We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to our organization's diversity and who want to walk alongside us in our commitment to inclusion and equity. We are a Queen City Certified/Ellequate Leader in Workplace Equity. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
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Cincinnati Zoo
life insurance, paid time off, 401(k)
June 07, 2024