Prairie Meadows Hiring for Sales – Director of Sales Job at Altoona, IA Full Time

Responsible for strategic direction, creating & maintaining a successful Sales program to improve the performance of the Event Center and Hotel. Networks with potential clients, manages large and small accounts and works to maintain a loyal customer base.

Develop a successful sales program that encompasses the casino, racetrack, hotel and conference center. Inventory includes, but is not limited to hotel rooms, function space and group sales programs.

Manage the sales effort as it relates to proactive tactics to create opportunities for new business as well as expanding business with existing customers. Prospect for new catering business using a wide variety of methods including phone calls, outside sales calls, trade shows, attending community functions, blitzes, internet prospecting, supplier partnerships, etc.

Establish and oversee sales goals as it relates to outside sales as well as cold & maintenance calls to develop new and existing business.

Establish sales objectives by forecasting and developing weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual sales quotas, in addition to projecting expected sales volumes.

Continually seeks new relationships as they relate to the success of the sales program.

Directly responsible for creating and managing department budgets, both overall and program specific. Responsible for timely submission of annual budget.

Handle and follow up on inquiries for assigned meetings/events with or without guestrooms. Follow up on leads by qualifying the customer’s needs and dates for the event to determine if the business is a good fit for the property.

Plan and conduct Pre-con meetings as required to ensure proper communication to all departments.

Present potential business at sales meetings to determine best mix of customers for hotel to attain budgeted revenues. Conduct meetings with client and hotel staff to ensure each event meets client’s expectations.

Participate with the Marketing Department in the development of brochures, menus, and other collateral that support the sales program.

Manage the selecting, training, and managing of personnel under direct responsibility. Responsible for creating effective employee retention programs. Communicate effectively with the Sales Team, the goals, guidelines, procedures and company policies necessary for personal and team success.

Meet with key clients, assisting the sales team with maintaining relationships and negotiating and closing deals. Expected to understand the entire sales & event planning process so able to step in to assist as needed.

Responsible for selling advertising for the racing program and weekly television show Post Time at Prairie Meadows and other sales and public relations materials. Responsible for managing the race sponsorship program.

Initiate communication plans for off property special events and all pertinent promotional materials, advertisements and announcements.

Remain knowledgeable of industry standards and practices, continually assessing methods, modes, materials, etc., that will keep the hotel competitive in the hospitability market. Maintain a working knowledge of marketing principles & market segments, and manage rates & occupancy in coordination with property performance goals.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree in Business or Marketing preferred. Minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible sales and or event planning experience with a casino, convention center, hotel, or related industry required. Successful previous experience, consistently meeting or exceeding targets with emphasis on ability to meet new business targets. Supervisory experience strongly preferred.

SKILLS REQUIRED: Proven leadership skills. Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office software including the ability to use e-mail, word processing & spreadsheets. Highly motivated and comfortable working with the public. Able to meet with persons of diverse backgrounds and communicate in a confident and effective manner. Strong internal/external customer service skills. Able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and work under the pressure of deadlines. Able to be flexible in hours is essential. Skilled in training all different personality types. Strong grammar and editing skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate, present and influence credibly and effectively at all levels of the organization. Proven ability to drive the sales process from plan to close. Ideal candidate will possess extraordinary networking and client relation skills and good knowledge of Sales techniques. Excellent written & verbal communication skills. Strong listening, negotiation & presentation skills.

**Proof of Covid vaccination, partial Covid vaccination, or medical/religious exemption is required for employment.