National Account Executive

Job description

WHO WE ARE Visit Saint Paul is a private 501(c)6 nonprofit, membership-based organization with a mission to market the greater Saint Paul area to out-of-town convention and leisure travelers, help meet their needs as visitors, and create partnerships and opportunities for the local businesses that serve them. We are dedicated to telling Saint Paul’s story, from its beauty and history to its energy, openness, and opportunities. POSITION OVERVIEW Visit Saint Paul is seeking a National Account Executive to promote Saint Paul as a premier meetings and convention destination and generate business for Saint Paul RiverCentre and member hotel properties. This position serves as a sales leader and ambassador for Saint Paul, developing regional and national accounts and building relationships with meeting professionals to bring meetings, conventions, and events to the city. The National Account Executive plays an important role in generating hotel room nights, supporting Saint Paul’s hospitality community, and creating meaningful economic impact. Success in this role means developing new business, connecting meeting planners with Saint Paul’s hotels, venues, attractions, and hospitality partners, and confidently bringing Saint Paul’s story to life throughout the sales process. WHAT YOU’LL DO Drive New Business Market and sell Saint Paul’s hotel community, Saint Paul RiverCentre, and destination assets to generate tentative and definite convention, meeting, and event business across assigned market segments. Develop and manage regional and national accounts through consistent prospecting, relationship-building, and account management. Meet or exceed established individual and team sales goals, including definite bookings, room nights, conversion goals, prospecting activity, and site visits. Identify, develop, and respond to qualified leads through phone, email, presentations, written proposals, site inspections, tradeshows, sales missions, networking, and other sales activities. Build and maintain strong relationships with meeting professionals, industry organizations, hotel partners, Saint Paul RiverCentre, attractions, venues, and service providers to maximize sales opportunities and generate repeat business. Turn Opportunities into Results Prepare compelling bid proposals and destination presentations by coordinating hotel availability and rates, convention center costs, incentives, and other information necessary to meet client requirements. Maintain timely and effective communication with meeting planners throughout the sales process, ensuring client needs, deadlines, and follow-up expectations are met. Develop and execute sales strategies and account plans that support Visit Saint Paul’s overall sales goals and strengthen Saint Paul’s position within key association, corporate, sports, and other assigned markets. Maintain complete, accurate, and current account, contact, lead, activity, and booking information in iDSS (CRM). Showcase and Represent Saint Paul Represent Visit Saint Paul at national tradeshows, sales missions, industry events, networking opportunities, and client-facing functions. Conduct pre-show planning, identify target accounts, schedule appointments, complete timely follow-up, and coordinate other sales activities associated with industry events. Coordinate and conduct destination site visits for qualified meeting planners, showcasing Saint Paul hotels, venues, attractions, and other destination assets. Identify and invite qualified meeting planners to participate in Visit Saint Paul familiarization programs (FAMs) and assist in developing customized itineraries designed to convert prospective business. Travel approximately 4–7 times per year for business, including tradeshows, sales missions, industry events, and other client-facing opportunities. Collaborate and Drive Success Partner with Visit Saint Paul’s Destination Services Manager to transition confirmed business and connect meeting planners with appropriate local resources and service providers. Collaborate effectively with Visit Saint Paul team members, Saint Paul RiverCentre, hotels, venues, attractions, and community partners to support client needs and organizational goals. Participate in internal and partner meetings, industry events, Visit Saint Paul programs, and other business-related functions as appropriate. Prepare required sales, activity, expense, and performance reports. Manage assigned program or sales-related budgets. Perform special projects and other duties as assigned. WHO YOU ARE You are a motivated sales professional and relationship builder who enjoys developing new connections, earning trust, pursuing new business, and turning relationships into opportunities for Saint Paul. You are: Results-oriented , with a demonstrated ability to prospect, develop accounts, and work toward measurable sales goals. A persuasive storyteller and communicator who can confidently showcase Saint Paul, Saint Paul RiverCentre, area hotels, and destination assets to meeting professionals. Strategic and organized , with the ability to manage multiple accounts, leads, proposals, deadlines, and follow-up activities simultaneously. Proactive and resourceful , with the ability to identify opportunities and develop creative solutions that help Saint Paul compete for business. Collaborative and service-focused , with the ability to build strong relationships with clients, coworkers, hotels, venues, and community partners. Comfortable representing Saint Paul in the market , including at tradeshows, sales missions, networking events, site visits, and FAMs. Passionate about Saint Paul and its success , with a genuine desire to serve as an ambassador for the city and generate economic impact for the community. MEASURES OF SUCCESS Performance in this role will be evaluated through quantifiable goals and overall effectiveness, including: Individual and team sales goals: Achieving or exceeding established goals for leads, definite bookings, room nights, conversions, prospecting activity, and other sales performance targets. Exceptional customer service: Providing responsive communication, timely follow-up, and a solutions-focused approach throughout the client relationship and sales process. Cross-departmental collaboration: Working cooperatively across Visit Saint Paul and with destination partners to support client needs, organizational priorities, and overall team success. CRM and account management: Maintaining complete, accurate, and timely sales activity, account, contact, lead, and booking information in iDSS. MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT FIT The successful candidate will demonstrate: Excellent written and verbal communication and listening skills. Strong initiative, self-motivation, and work ethic. High emotional intelligence and an “of service” attitude. Superior organizational skills and attention to detail. Strong account management and relationship-building skills. Ability to establish and cultivate effective cross-functional working relationships. Ability to prioritize activities, meet deadlines, and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously. A collaborative and flexible working style with a strong service mentality. Enthusiasm for learning and embracing new technologies. Ability and willingness to travel. Willingness to work outside traditional business hours when necessary, particularly for networking events, client functions, and industry activities. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook, Word, and Excel, and experience working with database or CRM programs. A valid driver’s license and access to an automobile. Passionate adherence to Visit Saint Paul’s values of Integrity, Optimism, Belonging, and Creativity . QUALIFICATIONS Four-year college or university degree preferred. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered. 3–5 years of hotel, convention center, destination, or related hospitality sales experience. Knowledge of the hospitality and meetings industry and its terminology. Familiarity or proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 and database management or CRM programs. Experience with iDSS is preferred, with the ability to learn new software programs as required. Demonstrated ability to build professional relationships, manage accounts, develop new business, and work toward established sales goals. PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this position, the employee may be required to: Walk, sit, bend, and squat. Talk and hear. Grab, pull, or bend items. Lift and/or carry up to 25 pounds. View items at close and distant range. Sit and use a computer for extended periods of time. WORKING CONDITIONS Full-time, salaried position in a general office environment. Hybrid schedule with employees working in the office Tuesday through Thursday and remotely Monday and Friday. Attend offsite meetings, networking opportunities, client events, and other functions as needed. Approximately 4–7 business trips annually. Position requires occasional evening work and work outside of core business hours. Valid driver’s license and access to an automobile required. Note: Job descriptions are not exhaustive lists of all skills, responsibilities, or efforts associated with a position. They reflect the principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. Visit Saint Paul is an equal opportunity employer.