GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Tourism Development Manager will drive incremental Group Tickets Sales and revenue for the Space Needle Observation Deck and Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibition. This position will also manage and negotiate all volume and ticket-related agreements and contracts, including cruise lines, and OTAs, Seattle Top Tix partners, and other tourism efforts as it relates to Group and Tourism Channel Sales Programs for the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass.
This position supports the Space Needle LLC and Center Art LLC/Chihuly Garden and Glass’s organization by exhibiting the following behaviors: integrity, discretion, professionalism, leadership, humility, respect, accountability, and team building.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Five + years sales experience with a track record of successful business development achievements.
• Seattle city tourism marketing experience a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to think strategically and implement said strategies.
• Undergraduate degree, BA/BS required, MBA or Hospitality & Tourism Marketing degree a bonus.
• Computer literacy including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and others. Strong proficiency with various database type software.
• Excellent communication skills including verbal, written, interpersonal skills, telephone etiquette and an excellent conversational manner.
• Proven experience and management of overall business development strategies and group sales of ticketed attraction or similar experience is required.
• Experience in hospitality, tourism, convention bureau, education, entertainment sectors a plus.
• Must show initiative and the ability to work with little or no supervision.
• Conscientious of quality and guest service.
• Good organizational skills and detail oriented.
• Able to work flexible hours when requested/necessary (NYE is required).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Drive incremental Group Tickets Sales and revenue for the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibition, focusing on the off-season (Sept-May).
• Increase the volume and revenue of Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Group tickets sales to Tour Operators, Volume Accounts, Affiliate Accounts, Colleges, Corporate, Conventions, etc.
• Manage and negotiate all volume and ticket-related agreements, contracts, and other tourism efforts as it relates to Group and Tourism Channel Sales Programs for the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass. This includes cruise lines, OTAs and Seattle Top Tix Partners.
• Promote the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass as a destination for historical, art, innovation, educational, leisure, and business activities to groups.
• Partner with regional marketing and other Seattle tourism related organizations with the goal of increasing group sales to tourists visiting the city or other groups.
• Oversee coordination of Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass school and group tours.
• Solicit and visit organizations for potential group sales (i.e. employee programs, senior programs) in the community and Seattle Top Tix partners.
• Develop strategic sales and marketing plan for all channels.
• Manage Admissions Challenges and Sales Targets for Seattle Top Tix.
• Build relationships within tourism through associations, conferences and outreach (Visit Seattle, Port of Seattle, IPW, PSAC, etc.), and provide marketing support to all channels for group ticket sales.
• Oversee remote kiosk operations for Seattle Top Tix. Work with the VP of Sales & Events to hire and manage kiosk sales team.
• Occasional travel to trade shows and other locations necessary to recruit and promote group sales tourism activities on behalf of the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass.
• Work with VP of Sales & Events to design and develop marketing materials as needed for Seattle Top Tix, Group Sales, OTAs.
• Work with IT, Finance, Operations, Marketing, Exhibitions and others to ensure processes are effective and smooth.
• Additional duties as assigned.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Network in the industry.
• Vendor relations.
• Industry relations.
• Coordinate special mailings and client research and provide ticketing system input.
• Attend and assist with departmental events, as needed.
• Perform all other work-related duties as assigned.
• Responsible for communicating and training operational departments on various contracts for Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass.
• Administrative duties as needed, including:
• Work with the Tourism Development Specialist to oversee ticketing system for the group sales channels, keeping packages up to date and functioning properly.
• Respond promptly to phone calls and incoming email requests for group tickets, billing and collections efforts, data entry, reporting, and additional duties as assigned.
• Communicate pricing and availability to guests, sending cost estimates for group visits and updating with changes as needed.
• Enforce Group Sales policies and procedures within all departments in the organization.
• Gain a thorough understanding of both the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass operating procedures and communicate to clients accordingly.
• Responsible for communicating Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass groups to operational departments via weekly reports and direct communication when needed
• Manage expenses and budget related to business travel.
• Assist with the development of annual budget goals pertaining to industry trends and new program concepts.
• Support Transform Moments – Company guest service program.