Sales Manager, Schools, Groups and Local Partnerships

Merlin Entertainments; Grapevine (TX); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care options

Paid time off

Merlin Magic Pass

Recognition programs

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Merlin Entertainments is seeking a field-based, hybrid sales professional to drive outbound sales, partnerships, and revenue growth across the DFW Metroplex, focusing on Peppa Pig Theme Park Dallas and SEA LIFE Grapevine.

You will prospect schools and youth groups, secure new B2B partnerships, and collaborate with Marketing and Operations to implement new tickets, pricing, and programs. Occasional travel and flexible hours are required.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in outbound sales, business development, sponsorships or partnerships.
• Experience in hospitality, attractions, or experiential sectors preferred.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Own proactive outbound sales activity including cold outreach and in-market prospecting.
• Source net-new opportunities with schools, youth groups, and community partners.
• Identify and secure new B2B partnerships and advertising opportunities.
• Attend/manage events, trade shows, and conferences to boost brand visibility.
• Develop revenue opportunities through school and youth group programs and partnerships.
• Lead end-to-end process from awareness to purchase and post-visit experience.

Skills

Outbound sales

Business development

Sponsorships

Partnerships

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing or related field

Job description

As part of Merlin’s North America Central Cluster Go-To-Market team, this field-based, hybrid role drives outbound sales, partnerships, and revenue growth across the DFW Metroplex—focusing primarily on Peppa Pig Theme Park Dallas and SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium.

You will proactively target schools, youth groups, and community partners through in-person prospecting, cold calling, and networking. Success relies on reliable transportation, hands-on market engagement, and close cross-functional collaboration to deliver scalable volume and revenue.

Candidates should expect occasional regional travel, as well as flexibility to work evenings, weekends, or holidays as business needs require.

Key Responsibilities

• Own proactive outbound sales activity including cold outreach, in-market prospecting, and relationship development.
• Consistently source net-new opportunities that increase reach and engagement among community, education and youth groups.
• Identify and secure new B2B partnerships, marketing strategies and advertising with businesses, organizations, educational institutions, tour operators, influencers, and community groups.
• Support partnership and attend/manage community related events, trade shows, and conferences that enhance brand visibility and engage new customers.
• Develop, sell, and close incremental revenue opportunities through schools and youth group experiences, programs and partnerships.
• Focuses on the end-to-end path from awareness → purchase → post-visit experience.
• Build tailored offerings and processes that align partner objectives with Resort priorities.
• Support deal structuring and negotiations in alignment with leadership and Cluster goals.
• Work cross-functionally to implement new tickets, products, pricing, and booking strategies.
• Develop branded collateral following IP restrictions and guardrails.
• Maintain accountability and provide reports for assigned revenue streams and performance.
• Serve as the primary owner for school and youth group channels, ensuring oversight of operational execution and delivery, along with communications of the programs across all customer facing touchpoints.
• Work closely with Cluster Go-To-Market, Marketing and Operations teams to build and deliver these initiatives.
• Maintain strong awareness of attractions capacity, seasonality and operational constraints.
• Act as a conduit between functional specialist teams and on-site operations, embodying Merlin’s future ways of working.
• Update on-site booking on new products, programs, and operational changes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Own proactive outbound sales activity including cold outreach, in-market prospecting, and relationship development.
• Consistently source net-new opportunities that increase reach and engagement among community, education and youth groups.
• Identify and secure new B2B partnerships, marketing strategies and advertising with businesses, organizations, educational institutions, tour operators, influencers, and community groups.
• Support partnership and attend/manage community related events, trade shows, and conferences that enhance brand visibility and engage new customers.
• Develop, sell, and close incremental revenue opportunities through schools and youth group experiences, programs and partnerships.
• Focuses on the end-to-end path from awareness → purchase → post-visit experience.
• Build tailored offerings and processes that align partner objectives with Resort priorities.
• Support deal structuring and negotiations in alignment with leadership and Cluster goals.
• Work cross-functionally to implement new tickets, products, pricing, and booking strategies.
• Develop branded collateral following IP restrictions and guardrails.
• Maintain accountability and provide reports for assigned revenue streams and performance.
• Serve as the primary owner for school and youth group channels, ensuring oversight of operational execution and delivery, along with communications of the programs across all customer facing touchpoints.
• Work closely with Cluster Go-To-Market, Marketing and Operations teams to build and deliver these initiatives.
• Maintain strong awareness of attractions capacity, seasonality and operational constraints.
• Act as a conduit between functional specialist teams and on-site operations, embodying Merlin’s future ways of working.
• Update on-site booking on new products, programs, and operational changes.

Experience And Qualifications

• Proven experience in outbound sales, business development, sponsorships or partnerships.
• Experience within hospitality, attractions, entertainment, or experiential businesses—particularly those serving attractions, youth, schools, education, scouts, childcare, or student travel—strongly preferred.
• Skilled in planning and executing private events.
• Proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams to support operational planning and successful execution
• Demonstrated success generating leads independently and driving outbound solicitation.
• Strong knowledge of the local market.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Hospitality, Marketing or related field preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Commercial, revenue-first mindset with strong outbound sales discipline.
• Comfortable operating in a matrixed, cluster-based environment.
• Strong relationship-building and negotiation skills.
• Highly organized, accountable, and self-directed with the ability to manage workload and deliver to agreed deadlines.
• Resilient, proactive, and results-driven.
• Variable working hours aligned to business needs, including occasional evenings and weekends
• Ability to travel for business meetings, events, etc.
• Mostly remote schedule with reliable personal transportation required for regular in-market travel across the DFW Metroplex, plus some on-site time at Peppa Pig Theme Park North Richland Hills and SEA LIFE Grapevine.

Benefits

• Excellent Health Care Options: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid Time Off (PTO).
• Merlin Magic Pass: Free entry for friends and family to our amazing parks & attractions.
• Recognition Programs and Rewards.
• 401(k) Program: Save for the future with company matching contributions.
• Tuition Reimbursement Programs: Get support for further education and career growth.
• Numerous Learning and Advancement Opportunities: Grow your skills and advance your career with us!

Pay Range

Competitive