Assistant Director- Sales

Mccno; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

MCCNO is seeking a seasoned Sales leader in New Orleans to oversee sales operations, drive account management, and guide a high-performing team through lifecycle events from prospecting to post-convention follow-up.

The role requires extensive experience in convention centers or hospitality, strong presentation and negotiation skills, and the ability to coordinate across departments. Willingness to travel and adapt to evening/weekend demands is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in a supervisory level position.
• Six to ten years of progressive sales experience in convention centers, hospitality, tourism, destination marketing, or large-scale event venues; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• CMP or CEM preferred.
• Experience working with convention booking software and CRM systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the Director in executing the department's annual sales strategy and achieving booking and revenue goals.
• Monitor sales activity, pipeline development, booking pace, and account performance.
• Review sales reports and booking activity to identify opportunities and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure consistent use of CRM systems, reporting tools, and departmental procedures.
• Assist with onboarding, training, and professional development of Sales staff.
• Serve as Acting Director during the Director's absence.
• Manage a portfolio of assigned national and regional convention accounts.
• Conduct site visits, facility tours, and client presentations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with meeting planners, industry partners, and repeat clients.
• Support contract negotiations and assist in resolving complex client issues.
• Participate in pre- and post-convention meetings and client planning.
• Represent MCCNO during familiarization tours, industry events, and customer appreciation functions.
• Monitor booking trends, pace reports, lost business reports, and market opportunities.
• Partner with Sales Managers to develop strategies for competitive accounts.
• Identify new markets and opportunities aligned with organizational objectives.
• Support implementation of sales campaigns and targeted prospecting initiatives.
• Track departmental KPIs and prepare performance reports for leadership.
• Coordinate with Event Services, Operations, Marketing, Finance, and other internal departments to support event execution.
• Coordinate with New Orleans & Company regarding accounts, booking activity, and sales initiatives.
• Ensure seamless communication during sales-to-event transition and support process improvements.

Skills

Sales leadership

Relationship management

Presentations

Negotiation

Communication skills

Industry knowledge

Travel readiness

Project management

Team development

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Booking software

Job description

Description

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Sales Operations and Team Leadership

• Support the Director in executing the department's annual sales strategy and achieving established booking and revenue goals.
• Monitor individual and team sales activity, pipeline development, booking pace, and account performance.
• Review sales reports and booking activity to identify opportunities and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure consistent use of CRM systems, reporting tools, and departmental procedures.
• Assist with onboarding, training, and professional development of Sales staff.
• Serve as Acting Director during the Director's absence.

Client & Account Management

• Manage a portfolio of assigned national and regional convention accounts.
• Conduct site visits, facility tours, and client presentations.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with meeting planners, event organizers, industry partners, and repeat clients.
• Support contract negotiations and assist in resolving complex client issues.
• Participate in pre-convention, post-convention, and client planning meetings.
• Represent MCCNO during familiarization tours, industry events, and customer appreciation functions.

Sales Performance & Business Development

• Monitor booking trends, pace reports, lost business reports, and market opportunities.
• Partner with Sales Managers to develop strategies for competitive accounts.
• Assist in identifying new markets and business opportunities that align with organizational objectives.
• Support implementation of sales campaigns and targeted prospecting initiatives.
• Track departmental KPIs and prepare performance reports for leadership.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work collaboratively with Event Services, Operations, Marketing, Finance, and other internal departments to support successful event execution.
• Coordinate with New Orleans & Company regarding assigned accounts, booking activity, and sales initiatives.
• Ensure seamless communication during the sales-to-event transition process.
• Support process improvements that enhance the customer experience.

Strategic Support

• Assist the Director in developing annual sales goals, departmental initiatives, and operational priorities.
• Contribute to budget planning, forecasting, and departmental reporting.
• Recommend process improvements to increase efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Participate in strategic planning discussions and special projects.

Administration & Compliance

• Review contracts, proposals, and correspondence for accuracy and compliance.
• Ensure departmental documentation, records, and reporting remain current.
• Support policy implementation and ensure adherence to organizational procedures.
• Maintain knowledge of industry trends, venue capabilities, and sales best practices.

ACCOUNTABILITIES FOR SUPERVISION

• Participate in decisions related to the selection, promotion, transfer, pay and discipline of assigned personnel.
• Orient employees to MCCNO policies and procedures and clearly communicate job duties and responsibilities so individuals may proceed with certainty in the performance of their positions.
• Personally conduct or oversee training for new employees to ensure established procedures are clearly understood and followed.
• Monitor the work performance of assigned personnel on a continual basis, conduct effective performance appraisals, and take corrective action whenever necessary.
• Create a working climate in which assigned personnel are motivated to develop their skills and abilities and demonstrate by personal example the desired standards of conduct and work performance.
• Administer MCCNO policies in a fair and equitable manner with regard to discipline, tardiness, absenteeism or insubordination and fully document all incidents and actions taken.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business needs.
• Ability to travel occasionally for industry conferences, trade shows, and client meetings.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups of people
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing sales teams.
• Strong relationship management and customer service skills.
• Knowledge of convention center operations and the hospitality industry.
• Strong presentation, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to analyze booking trends and sales performance data.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Business Administration or related field.

Experience

Required

Minimum of three years’ experience in a supervisory level position

six to ten years of progressive sales experience in convention centers, hospitality, tourism, destination marketing, or large-scale event venues; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred

CMP or CEM preferred.

Experience working with convention booking software and CRM systems preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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