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Overview
The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) is seeking a strategic, team‑oriented, results‑driven leader to serve as Director of Sales. This role leads the VCB’s group (meetings, weddings, and SMERF), travel trade (travel advisors, motorcoach, and tour operators), and leisure sales efforts to position Lee County as a premier destination for business and leisure travelers. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with experience in destination, convention, or hotel sales strategy, market development, and stakeholder collaboration. The Director of Sales will inspire a team of eight, establish strong partnerships with hospitality partners, and adapt to an evolving marketplace to achieve organizational goals. The role also provides expertise to group and travel trade audiences in partnership with the VCB marketing team and serves as a visible community steward for Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches, and Neighborhoods’ hospitality industry. The Director of Sales reports to the Deputy Director and manages the performance of the group sales team, along with international and domestic travel trade and contractors. Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive sales strategy to attract meetings, conferences, group travel, and leisure visitors to Lee County; collaborate with industry partners and stakeholders; leverage market research and data analytics to identify new opportunities. Sales Strategy Development: Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with accommodations, venues, and other industry partners to maximize revenue; identify new business opportunities to increase visitation and economic impact; engage with key committees, boards, and organizations to enhance Lee County’s visibility and sales potential. Destination Representation: Represent Lee County at trade shows, sales missions, and conferences; provide insights on meetings, groups, domestic and international travel to the Tourist Development Council (TDC), VCB staff, contractors, and executive leadership; deliver sales team updates and partner communications at events and meetings. Availability for varied work schedules, including emergency or disaster situations, is required. Team Leadership: Lead the VCB sales team and contractors to achieve targets, drive new business development, and ensure alignment with the organization’s mission; recruit, train, and evaluate sales staff; set and track sales goals; manage budgets and ROI; coordinate activities across sales, marketing, PR, and visitor services; oversee trade shows, sales calls, client events, and destination education efforts. Marketing Collaboration: Share expertise with group and travel trade audiences to support integrated marketing efforts; collaborate with marketing, PR, and agency partners to develop promotional content, social media engagement, and industry storytelling; ensure consistent brand messaging for group and travel trade marketing. Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
Combination of education and/or experience equivalent to at least four years in destination marketing, hotel group sales, or related hospitality sales, with an additional two years in a supervisory or leadership sales role. Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, public relations, hospitality/tourism management, or related field (or equivalent experience). Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record. Preferred Requirements
Experience in a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO)/Convention/Visitor Bureau (CVB/VCB) or hotel brand sales leadership role, including team and budget management; active participation in industry associations. Supplemental Information
Proven experience leading a team, preferably in a destination marketing organization, hotel, or hospitality/travel-related sales environment. Strong communication skills in verbal, written, and presentation formats with customers, stakeholders, and other audiences. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with CRM systems such as Simpleview or similar. Emergency Response
All County employees are required to work before, during, or after an emergency as needed. This may include duties outside the normal scope of position to fit the needs of the County and its citizens. Disclaimer: The information in this description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties. All positions are subject to a criminal background check and other pre‑employment screenings as required by law. Benefits and Additional Information
Lee County Board of County Commissioners offers a comprehensive benefits package. Details include health benefits, retirement plans, paid leave, and more. For a detailed look, refer to the Lee County Employee Benefits documentation linked in the original posting.
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The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) is seeking a strategic, team‑oriented, results‑driven leader to serve as Director of Sales. This role leads the VCB’s group (meetings, weddings, and SMERF), travel trade (travel advisors, motorcoach, and tour operators), and leisure sales efforts to position Lee County as a premier destination for business and leisure travelers. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with experience in destination, convention, or hotel sales strategy, market development, and stakeholder collaboration. The Director of Sales will inspire a team of eight, establish strong partnerships with hospitality partners, and adapt to an evolving marketplace to achieve organizational goals. The role also provides expertise to group and travel trade audiences in partnership with the VCB marketing team and serves as a visible community steward for Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches, and Neighborhoods’ hospitality industry. The Director of Sales reports to the Deputy Director and manages the performance of the group sales team, along with international and domestic travel trade and contractors. Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive sales strategy to attract meetings, conferences, group travel, and leisure visitors to Lee County; collaborate with industry partners and stakeholders; leverage market research and data analytics to identify new opportunities. Sales Strategy Development: Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with accommodations, venues, and other industry partners to maximize revenue; identify new business opportunities to increase visitation and economic impact; engage with key committees, boards, and organizations to enhance Lee County’s visibility and sales potential. Destination Representation: Represent Lee County at trade shows, sales missions, and conferences; provide insights on meetings, groups, domestic and international travel to the Tourist Development Council (TDC), VCB staff, contractors, and executive leadership; deliver sales team updates and partner communications at events and meetings. Availability for varied work schedules, including emergency or disaster situations, is required. Team Leadership: Lead the VCB sales team and contractors to achieve targets, drive new business development, and ensure alignment with the organization’s mission; recruit, train, and evaluate sales staff; set and track sales goals; manage budgets and ROI; coordinate activities across sales, marketing, PR, and visitor services; oversee trade shows, sales calls, client events, and destination education efforts. Marketing Collaboration: Share expertise with group and travel trade audiences to support integrated marketing efforts; collaborate with marketing, PR, and agency partners to develop promotional content, social media engagement, and industry storytelling; ensure consistent brand messaging for group and travel trade marketing. Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
Combination of education and/or experience equivalent to at least four years in destination marketing, hotel group sales, or related hospitality sales, with an additional two years in a supervisory or leadership sales role. Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, public relations, hospitality/tourism management, or related field (or equivalent experience). Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record. Preferred Requirements
Experience in a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO)/Convention/Visitor Bureau (CVB/VCB) or hotel brand sales leadership role, including team and budget management; active participation in industry associations. Supplemental Information
Proven experience leading a team, preferably in a destination marketing organization, hotel, or hospitality/travel-related sales environment. Strong communication skills in verbal, written, and presentation formats with customers, stakeholders, and other audiences. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with CRM systems such as Simpleview or similar. Emergency Response
All County employees are required to work before, during, or after an emergency as needed. This may include duties outside the normal scope of position to fit the needs of the County and its citizens. Disclaimer: The information in this description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties. All positions are subject to a criminal background check and other pre‑employment screenings as required by law. Benefits and Additional Information
Lee County Board of County Commissioners offers a comprehensive benefits package. Details include health benefits, retirement plans, paid leave, and more. For a detailed look, refer to the Lee County Employee Benefits documentation linked in the original posting.
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