District Sales Manager

Our company’s proud portfolio of award-winning, family-owned luxury hotels and boutique river cruise ships, and guided vacations & tour specialists, is strong and continues to grow fast! We are seeking the very best DISTRICT SALES MANAGERS to support our travel agent partners across the Midwest and East Coast territories to coincide with our new office opening in New York City.

Role Purpose:

District Sales Managers for are responsible for maximizing the sales potential within their designated territory by cultivating strong relationships with existing customers, driving brand awareness, and identifying new customer prospects. By effectively representing the African Travel brand to the travel industry and the public, District Sales Managers strive for successful execution of their sales plan and achievement of their passenger objective/goals.

Dallas or Houston

• Territory: North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement sales and marketing plans with key accounts using a customized approach to address their specific needs.
• Strengthen relationships and achieve growth with key accounts through regular contact and informative updates with respect to their productivity and progress; offer assistance when appropriate to assist in achievement of their goals.
• Provide robust training opportunities for agents through weekly training’s, client presentations, product information sessions and ongoing website and e-commerce strategies; escort familiarization trips for travel agents as necessary.
• Ensure that marketing collateral is utilized to its fullest potential; ensure that African Travel has prominent placement in key account agencies. Effectively manage brochure supply and regional distribution.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities
• Evaluate ROI of potential trade and consumer shows/events and participate where beneficial. Continually identify new shows/events that would be beneficial to the brand.
• Stay abreast of competitor information in designated territory and stay updated on trends within the industry. Provide feedback to management team with respect to trends and opportunities.
• Ensure that all requested sales reports are accurate, detailed, and submitted within the desired time-frame.
• Maintain accurate records of sales activities in Sales-force; record training’s, appointments, tasks, customer feedback and other sales activities in a timely manner. Utilize Sales-force reports to provide useful information to agents during every call and in regular e-mail communication.
• Actively seek out and foster group business; Maintain contact with originating agent from beginning of process through to departure of the group.
• Manage T&E budget and co-op marketing funds in the most cost effective way, being mindful of established policies.
• Other duties as required and assigned

EDUCATION:

• College degree highly preferred with emphasis in travel and tourism a plus.

EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years sales and customer service experience; 3+ years travel industry experience preferred; 3+ years territory sales experience preferred

COMPETENCIES

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills required. Ability to interact with all levels of staff required. Must be able to deliver effective product/destination training’s, engage as a credible trainer, and represent the company professionally at internal and external events.
• Presentation Skills: Able to deliver effective presentations, engage as a credible trainer, and represent the company professionally at internal and external events.
• Interpersonal Savvy: Able to use good listening skills, be sensitive to customers, adjust quickly to different personal styles, and stay open to other viewpoints.
• Drive for Results/Action-Oriented: Able to target and achieve results, set challenging goals, show energy and react to opportunity, instill urgency in others, and meet deadlines.
• Negotiating: Able to negotiate effectively in a positive manner, compromise and find alternate solutions, seek common ground, articulate own and others goals, stay focused on positive outcome, and use closing skills appropriately.
• Planning and Organization: Able to develop detailed sales/marketing plans aligned with company goals, manage time and work flow well, create effective sales call plans, monitor and respond to competition timely, work systematically/efficiently, manage distractions and interruptions.
• Learning/Problem Solving: Able to understand the issue and underlying causes, apply new information quickly, and solve problems creatively.
• Customer Focus: Able to build customer confidence, set achievable customer expectations, assume responsibility for solving customer problems, ensure commitments to customers are met, and solicit opinions and ideas from customers. Is committed to increasing customer satisfaction and is responsive to internal customers.
• Integrity/Trust: Able to deal with others in a straightforward and honest manner, be accountable for actions, maintain confidentiality, and support company values
• Composure/Adaptability: Able to support change, encourage innovation and new ideas, handle pressure, adjust to meet changing needs, and handle conflict effectively.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (emphasis on Power Point applications, for effective formulation of presentations), LCD/Data projection, Internet and webinar tools.
• Ability to utilize web tolls and in-house technical resources, adapt to new technology, learn new programs quickly, and use computers to improve productivity.
• Ability to use Excel spreadsheets to store and manipulate account data.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as required, and travel extensively throughout the territory. More than 50% overnight travel may be required in large territories. Some overseas travel required.
• Able to produce a suitable automobile which will be used for business travel and all legally-mandated licenses and insurances.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to lift 20 lbs with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Able to sit, stand & walk for long periods of time
• Vision correctable to 20/20 with reasonable accommodation required

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to secure a corporate credit card in his/her name, or in the event that a corporate credit card is denied, ability to produce a personal credit card with an available line of credit of at least $5,000 for business expenses.

For immediate consideration, please apply online:

http://www.bfound.net/detail.aspx?jobId=137793&CoId=2016&rq=4

OUR BENEFITS

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Employee rewards & recognition programs
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contribution
• Job advancement opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Two (2) volunteer days per year
• Vacation Buy-up Program
• Employee Referral incentives
• Rideshare incentives (carpooling, public transportation)
• Excellent Travel discounts for employees, friends and family members

The Travel Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against race, color, creed, sex, gender, religion, marital status, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws or ordinances.

Job Type: Full-time

Job Location:

• Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

Required education:

• Bachelor’s

Required experience:

• Travel industry: 3 years
• Territory sales: 3 years