Tourism and Sports Marketing Division 

Senior Sales and Events Supervisor - paygrade 18 

$57,096.00 - $62,805.60 annually

Exempt 

Employee Benefits

• Direct Deposit, Bi-Weekly Pay Checks
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance
• FRS Retirement
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Education Incentives
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Wellness Incentives
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free Employee Gym
• Free Employee Health Clinic

MAJOR FUNCTION

Supervises programs which directly and indirectly accomplish Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing’s (PCTSM) mission of marketing, selling, and recruiting visitors to Polk County and generating overnight stays for Polk County, thereby contributing to creating jobs, diversifying the economy, creating new revenue, and generating sales tax revenue throughout the county.

 Supervises activities aimed at marketing Polk County on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, nationally and globally, with the goal of attracting more than 5 million sports, leisure, business, and recreational visitors annually.

Supervises initiatives which directly and indirectly contribute to Tourism/Sports revenue and economic development, as Tourism and Sports (combined) are one of Polk County's top three economic engines: employing more than 21,000 citizens and generating more than $2.4 billion in economic impact for Polk County.

Reports directly to the Senior Tourism Sales and Marketing Manager. 

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

• Assists the Senior Tourism Sales and Marketing Manager with creation and implementation of the tourism/sports sales and marketing plan.
• Travels extensively both domestically and internationally supervising the marketing and selling of Polk County as a destination. Targets and develops niche markets that increase overnight stays in Polk County. Directs comprehensive sales efforts by planning and coordinating sales missions in target markets. Responsible for assisting the Senior Tourism Sales and Marketing Manager with budgeting, financial control, and analysis. Manages staff and strategies at trade shows and related tourism/sports events.
• Assists the Senior Tourism Sales and Marketing Manager with management oversight of Client Service Coordinators and interns.
• Coordinates sales and marketing presentations to corporate decision makers about Polk County and to encourage and enhance the selection of this area as a destination for sports and special events. Generates and qualifies leads using tourism/sports computer databases and other sales methods. Prepares follow up reports, analysis, and information. Develops and analyzes contact lists for current and prospective clients from state, national, and international decision makers. Develops and assists in the design of sales and marketing materials.
• Manages and coordinates PCTSM’s sales and marketing efforts with key facilities throughout the county. Represents industry partners and stakeholders at trade shows and in sales presentations and client sales efforts.
• Assists the Senior Tourism Sales and Marketing Manager in the coordination and operations of Polk County owned and co-owned special events, including but not limited to securing venues, volunteer management and recruitment, completion of special event bid applications, on-site special event operations. Manages other Tourism/Sports Marketing staff during special events.
• Develops and manages special event budgets including revenue projections, expenses, and value in-kind. Negotiates and secures room blocks and rates for sports and special events, conferences and meetings held in Polk County. Directs staff during special events and trade shows.
• Responsible for formulating and overseeing PCTSM’s outdoor recreation strategies (golf, fishing, shooting, etc.) of the annual Tourism Sales and Marketing plan. Develops and implements key strategies and tactics for each targeted area of the outdoor recreation plan.
• Attends conferences, seminars, industry trade shows, sales missions as well as meetings with local and regional sports partners and government agencies, and other related events. Will require both domestic or international travel.
• This position requires the use of independent judgment in setting priorities, coordinating work, handling multiple responsibilities, and the ability to manage time while working with deadlines, and interacting with team members and key stakeholders and decision makers on a daily basis.
• Performs related duties as required 

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Extensive knowledge of meetings, sports, travel and tourism sales, marketing, public relations and communications techniques and methods.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with employees, clients, business representatives and the public. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to make public speaking presentations.
• Ability to conceive, design, formulate and prepare informational data, analyze data, reports, and survey information. Ability to use independent judgment, analyze information and formulate recommendations.
• Ability to prepare budgets and tactical sales strategies. Ability to coordinate and plan meetings, conferences, and special events.
• Ability to make public presentations.
• Ability to meet and deal effectively with fellow employees, co-workers, public officials, and the general public.
• Ability to plan sales missions to key target markets, in coordination with and in promotion of, major Polk County tourism stakeholders.
• Skilled in Microsoft office applications, use of electronic communications, preparing power point presentations, internet research, and able to quickly learn new software applications and related CRM software applications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduate of an accredited four (4) year college or university and have a minimum of five (5) years sports/tourism sales and marketing related experience and have established contacts in the sports/tourism industry.

Must be willing to travel extensively to promote Polk County as a tourism destination, including on weekends. 

Must be able to drive a county vehicle, possess and maintain a current valid driver's license or be able to secure a valid Florida driver’s license at the time of employment within this classification.

A comparable amount of related training and experience may be considered for the minimum qualifications.

SPECIAL PREFERENCE

 Special preference will be given to candidates with sports commission or destination marketing organization (DMO) experience and sports commission or tourism industry certifications.