Dir Business Dev & Intermediaries

Position Title: Director Business Development & Intermediaries

Department:  Sales

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Reports To:   Vice President of Sales

Effective Date:  March, 2025

Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global visitor destination to business and leisure travelers. 

The Director Business Development & Intermediaries is an outside sales position responsible for developing markets and accounts that host meetings of 1,000+ peak room nights. This position’s goals will focus on developing new business with a key focus on need periods, short term business (<3 year booking window), corporate groups, intermediaries, creative agencies, general service contractors, and hotel GSOs. In addition to business development, this role will also support market coverage on an interim basis as well as assist with site visit support when needed.  This role requires a self-starting, independent individual who is ambitious, assertive and has ability to travel. 

The ideal candidate will carry a high lead and prospecting goal.  We are looking for a sophisticated, entrepreneurial sales executive who likes the hunt and has a proven track record in business development.  The ideal candidate will be responsible for business development and strategically targeting new corporate and convention opportunities that meet in convention center facilities or at a single hotel property.  

This position is a hybrid role, in office 3 days a week (subject to change), and you must be located in Chicago.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for growing 1,000+ peak group leads 
• This position will be focused heavily on corporate market – minimum of 50% of all calls
• Ideal candidate will possess strong history in selling to the corporate convention center market
• Candidate will develop a target list of mid-to-large scale corporate meetings and events based on current and historic need periods in our city
• Work closely with Vice President, Sales and Director, Business Development & Sales Strategy to develop annual business/market plan, grow and assist in closing business for the destination
• Must possess working knowledge of corporate accounts and be knowledgeable on trends affecting our industry and key industry segments
• Develop and maintain a high profile at all assigned industry events and trade shows.  Current involvement within industry associations is a plus – SITE, CEMA, IAEE, MPI, PCMA
• Experience working in committee & collaborative work environment
• Working knowledge of exhibit facilities and hotel capabilities in the Chicago metropolitan area a plus
• Increase market share, maximize productivity and opportunities through development focusing on corporate accounts; ability and interest to understand overall business scope of customers how this translates into our marketplace  
• Working knowledge of competing convention cities and convention facilities
• Develop, share, and promote sales benefits and enhancements which promote competitive distinctness of Chicago
• Develop feasible short and long-term plans and strategies for achieving department goals and objectives; anticipate critical obstacles and issues.
• Schedule work activities to ensure that deadlines are met and goals are achieved in a timely manner
• On own initiative or as assigned, assist with and participate in Choose Chicago projects, functions, and special events
• 10% travel anticipated for Chicago-based candidates; 30% travel anticipated for remotely based candidates
• Responsible for effective CRM (SimpleView) database management to track sales activities
• Comply with established policies and guidelines applying Choose Chicago operations and employee conduct
• Able to further qualify leads and build a strategic business case for them to comply with convention center booking parameters
• Perform other duties as assigned

 Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of hotel/tourism related experience showing progressive growth and learning and/or training equal to the skill level needed to perform this position
• Prior experience in the hospitality, convention bureau or hospitality sales industry is a plus

Knowledge, Skills and Aptitude Requirements:

• Experience working in a collaborative and competitive work environment with a strong team component will be beneficial
• Must be technologically proficient with a CRM (SimpleView), email, power point presentations, excel, word and other computer related tools
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with a strong knowledge of spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Ability to represent our city in a professional manner while interfacing with internal and external clients; good telephone skills
• Knowledge of the City of Chicago, including hotels, attractions, restaurants, and shopping is a plus
• Possess good organizational and time management skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Disciplined, self-starter with the ability to travel and work independently and exhibit flexibility
• Must be technologically proficient.
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with a strong knowledge of spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Possess good organizational and time management skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience utilizing prospecting tools, including Destinations International, Knowland, and MINT
   

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions:

• Ability to travel by air and ground in promoting the city of Chicago at various trade events is required, and attend/host customer entertainment in restaurants and local festivals
• Ability to perform computer work for extended periods
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed based on key conferences/events
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods without being able to leave the work area (i.e., trade show setting)
• For remote candidates, ability to work effectively from home
• For Chicago-based candidates, ability to be in-office 3+ days per week

As the official destination marketing organization for Chicago, Choose Chicago’s mission is to enrich our community by attracting meetings, events, and leisure travelers to Chicago for the economic benefit of the city, the community, and our membership.   At times, Choose Chicago employees may be required to assist with events and other business-related meetings and functions as part of their regular duties outside of regular hours. 

Choose Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer