Senior Director of Sales

Responsible for strategic leadership for Visit Knoxville’s group convention sales efforts, driving meetings, and group business that generates overnight visitation and economic impact. This position leads the sales team, develops and executes destination sales strategies, manages key industry relationships, and serves as a senior member of the leadership team. The position also assists the President in managing long-term strategic partnerships with hotels, venues, community stakeholders, and tourism industry partners while overseeing venue-related initiatives that support Knoxville and Knox County’s visitor economy.

**Essential Duties and Responsibilities** include the following.

Other duties may be assigned:

- Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and performance management for the convention sales team, including the Director of Sales and two Sales Directors.
- Provide strategic leadership and direct supervision for the Director of Partnership Revenue, overseeing the development and execution of partnership sales initiatives, including Visitor Guide advertising, UT Visitor Guide advertising, printed collateral sponsorships, and year-round partnership revenue programs. Drive sales growth, strengthen partner relationships, and ensure revenue goals align with Visit Knoxville’s overall organizational objectives in partnership with the President.
- Serve as Visit Knoxville’s lead staff liaison in managing venue operating agreements and management company relationships on behalf of Visit Knoxville and the City of Knoxville for all city-owned venues; such as Knoxville Convention Center (KCC), World’s Fair Exhibition Hall (The W), Knoxville Civic Auditorium & Coliseum (KCAC).
- Develop and execute annual sales strategies, goals, and business development plans aligned with Visit Knoxville’s strategic plan.
- Maintain responsibility for an assigned market segment and achieve established booking, room night, and economic impact goals.
- Monitor sales performance, market trends, competitive destinations, and industry opportunities to maximize market share.
- Oversee CRM utilization, reporting, forecasting, and sales analytics to support data-driven decision making.
- Partner with the President to cultivate, strengthen, and manage long-term strategic relationships with hotels, meeting planners, convention and event organizers, attractions, venues, and other key tourism and hospitality stakeholders, advancing Visit Knoxville’s mission and supporting destination growth. Coordinate closely with venue management partners to maximize event bookings, economic impact, customer satisfaction, and community benefit.
- Support contract negotiations, partnership agreements, and destination-wide initiatives that advance Visit Knoxville’s mission.
- Lead citywide/countywide convention and major event sales efforts, including bid strategy, presentations, site visits, and stakeholder coordination.
- Work collaboratively with Marketing, Destination Services, Sports Commission, Film Office, Finance, and Visitor Services teams to achieve organizational goals.
- Develop and manage departmental budgets and ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
- Represent/Manage Visit Knoxville’s attendance at trade shows, industry conferences, sales missions, client events, and community meetings.
- Prepare and present regular reports to the President, Board of Directors, hotel community, and other stakeholders.
- Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and retain a high-performing sales team focused on results and customer service excellence.
- Lead hotel partner engagement efforts, including regular communication with General Managers, Directors of Sales, and ownership groups.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the President.

**Supervisory Responsibilities:**

The position will be responsible for hiring, training, and supervising all Convention Sales Staff including Director of Sales, and Sales Directors.

**Minimum Qualifications Required:**

To per…