Director of Sales & Destination Services

Visit Greater Palm Springs promotes Southern California’s premier meeting oasis, known for its 300+ days of sunshine, diverse accommodations, and distinctive venues. The destination offers convenient access through Palm Springs International Airport, with nonstop service to numerous cities and connections worldwide. Meeting planners can choose from unique outdoor spaces, a state-of-the-art convention center, and a variety of team-building experiences that highlight the area’s natural beauty and attractions. The Palm Springs Convention Center provides extensive exhibit space, ballrooms, breakout rooms, and an event lawn, all supported by sustainable operations and locally inspired catering.

About the Role

This leadership position will represent the organization nationally and locally while managing sales and destination services teams. The primary responsibilities are to position the destination as a top-tier meetings destination, increase group business across key segments while emphasizing need periods (May through September), and develop alliances with key industry organizations. This role will work closely with the VP of Sales and local community partners to ensure all goals and objectives are achieved effectively. The position requires strong leadership skills, public speaking and presentation abilities, proven conflict management experience, and strategic thinking. This role also oversees the destination experience function, ensuring groups, clients, and meeting planners receive a seamless, high-quality experience throughout Greater Palm Springs.

Core Values

• Balance: We enjoy our best results through a balance of professional and personal achievement.
• Collaboration: We foster our collective strengths.
• Community: We build relationships to unify all and enhance our quality of life.
• Inclusion: We embrace diversity and foster equity and inclusion in all we do.
• Innovation: We dream beyond, challenging the norm and expanding boundaries.
• Integrity: We are honest, ethical, respectful, and accountable to deliver our very best.
• Passion: We think, speak, and act from the heart.

Responsibilities

• Represent the organization nationally and locally.
• Manage sales and destination services teams.
• Position Greater Palm Springs as a top-tier meetings destination.
• Increase group business across key segments, with emphasis on need periods (May through September).
• Develop alliances with key industry organizations.
• Oversee the destination experience function to ensure seamless, high-quality service for groups, clients, and meeting planners.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10+ years in sales leadership within the hospitality industry; previous experience within a DMO preferred.
• Experience managing teams of 15 or more employees, ideally spanning multiple functions.
• Minimum of 5 years overseeing or managing a sales team.
• Demonstrated strong sales, negotiating, and decision-making skills.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Strong knowledge of sales reporting tools and ability to articulate internally and externally.
• Comfortable with public speaking and interacting with high-level decision makers.
• Strong working knowledge and experience in working with Convention Centers.
• Proficient in CRM and sales database management systems.
• Hands-on experience with Cvent and STR data required.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Products, including strong presentation software experience.

Skills

• Forward thinker with the ability to think strategically and embrace new ideas in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to collaborate and build consensus.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Very strong presentation skills.
• Strong track record of meeting and exceeding goals and objectives.
• Strong work ethic.
• Ability to challenge the process in a constructive manner.
• Model the way and inspire a shared vision.
• Enable others to act and understand succession planning.
• Encourage from the heart.
• Ability to manage conflict.
• Understanding of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion best practices.