Assistant Director of International Sales

Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County is seeking an Assistant Director of International Sales. The Assistant Director of International Sales will promote Annapolis and Anne Arundel County as the premier international destination for meetings, sports, events, and other gatherings. Our mission is to drive economic and social impact through meetings, conventions, and sports that contribute to community growth while positively impacting residents in Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. This position reports to the Senior Director of External Relations.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Proactively generate and convert sales leads from international markets to secure group travel, international meetings, and sports events
• Develop and implement a detailed international sales plan with clear goals tied to room nights, visitor spending, and market share growth in collaboration with the senior director of external relations.
• Coordinate and lead promotional activities, including client FAM trips, sales calls, and hospitality events.

International Market Development & Client Management:

• Serve as the primary representative for Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County at international events.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including clients and prospects, throughout the year.
• Identify, establish, and nurture partnerships with travel trade clients, sports rights holders, association planners, and partners in the international market.

Lead Generation & Conversion:

• Identify high-potential clients and move them through sales funnel-prospecting, pitching, negotiating, and closing
• Manage CRM system (e.g., Simpleview) to track performance and identify trends.
• Develop strategies to generate and convert leads into successful events, focusing on the international market and sports.

Bid Process Support:

• Assist in the international Association Congress bid process by researching competitors, soliciting partners, developing briefs, and managing the creation of bid proposals.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to maximize the competitiveness of submitted bids.

Travel & Tradeshow Coordination:

• Plan and coordinate participation in international trade shows, sales missions, and conferences.
• Schedule and manage bookings for international meetings and sports programs, ensuring alignment with sales and marketing objectives.
• Manage the International sales efforts for the State of Maryland, representing our unique offerings.

 Budget Management

• Manage the international sales and sports budget, including allocations for travel, trade shows, events, and client engagement.
• Track and report on spending, ensuring adherence to budget guidelines and cost efficiency in all sales activities.
• Evaluate the ROI of sales initiatives and recommend adjustments to maximize fiscal impact and sales performance.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Promote the organization’s mission by actively participating in meetings as required by the CEO and in weekly staff meetings.
• Cultivate cooperative relationships with VAAAC staff by ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
• Actively participate in strategic planning and problem-solving initiatives.
• Contribute to the overall budget tracking and reporting expenditures accurately.
• Collaborate with the supervisor on additional projects as needed.

Suggested Requirements:

Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a related industry, preferably within convention and destination marketing organizations, destination management companies, hotel/venue sales, and/or convention services.

• Knowledge and/or experience in international events, including associations and related industries.
• Proven relationship-building skills with clients, prospects, and industry professionals.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to present ideas clearly and effectively.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in data-driven decision making.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, with 5-8 trips per year, sometimes for over a week at a time.

 “Please note that the responsibilities outlined in this job description are subject to change based on the needs of the organization.”

Additional Information:

Eligible applicants may be subject to a background investigation under federal or state laws and regulations. A conviction is not an automatic disqualification to employment. Erroneous, misleading, or fraudulent information on an application is sufficient grounds for rejection from the hiring process, removal from the list of eligibles, withdrawal of an offer for employment or immediate discharge.

Salary & Benefits:

This full-time, exempt position offers a competitive starting salary ranging from $75,000 - $85,000. In addition, VAAAC offers generous benefits, including 20 PTO days, 13 floating holidays, employer-paid (individual) health, vision, and dental benefits, 401(k) plan with 5% match (after 90 days), basic short-term disability and life insurance benefits (after 90 days), Employee Assistance Program, parking benefits and professional development.

To Apply:

Apply at https://www.visitannapolis.org/vaaac/how-we-do-it/opportunities/careers-internships/

About Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County:

Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC) is a nonprofit, partnership-focused Destination Marketing/Management Organization (DMO). VAAAC’s mission is to foster a welcoming destination and promote tourism on behalf of our visitors, partners, and community.  VAAAC is located in historic downtown Annapolis, Maryland at 26 West Street.