Account Executive

The Account Executive is a relationship-driven sales professional with a strong foundation in event services and destination management. This role is focused on developing and nurturing long-term client and hotel relationships, identifying opportunities for new business, and strategically guiding proposal development and financial oversight for their programs. The Account Executive maintains a strong presence in the local market and industry, consistently building trust and credibility with partners and clients alike. They are experts in developing, growing and maintaining hotel and client relationships and increasing revenue through the sales process.  

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• To support the vision, mission and guiding principles of the Company. 

• While performing any procedure, all associates must observe applicable Safety, Health, and Environmental rules and guidelines. The use of appropriate personal protective equipment is required. 

• Attend and participate in training opportunities and seminars relevant to this position. 

• Adhere to appropriate company operating procedures, benefit rules, employment, and safety policies/practices. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

General Responsibilities 

• Serve as the primary relationship lead for assigned clients and hotel partners. 

• Actively prospect and develop new opportunities within designated market territories as currently structured. 

• Oversee the development of pricing strategies; ensure alignment with margin targets and financial goals. 

• Provide exceptional customer service through the creative development and fulfillment of program content. 

• Represent Cohera DMC at national industry events, local industry events, tradeshows and conferences, as required by Supervisor and General Manager. 

• Promote destination and company capabilities via sales trips and formal presentations to incentive and corporate clients and hotels, as required by your supervisor and General Manager.  

• Develop and nurture consistent relationships with key hotels/hoteliers including but not limited to hotel sales drops, site visits, and hotel outings in collaboration with Business Development (when applicable).  

• Organize Familiarization (fam) tours for clients and prospective clients and directly oversee all local sales-related special projects, including, but not limited to local client events, hotelier appreciation events, sponsorship and promotional commitments, and planning/execution of sales events with various hotel partners both locally and nationally.  

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with hoteliers, vendors, CVB, industry consortiums, local clients, and third parties. 

• Actively participate in regularly scheduled sales strategy meetings with General Manager or Senior/Director of Sales and Business Development (if applicable). Use of extensive expertise of current and upcoming industry trends and maintaining knowledge of assigned markets and hotel partners via compiling and analyzing data to find trends. 

• Develop sales strategies and meet or exceed minimum margin expectations and quotas through program development in accordance with personal sales goals. 

• Work as a team with Design and Development Managers, Account Coordinators, Business Development and Strategic Team (if applicable) through production of proposals and maintain oversight over the program details, client relationship, pricing and deadlines throughout the sales process ensuring that deadlines are met both internally and with the clients.  

• Conduct site inspections with client working with the Design and Development Manager, Account Coordinator, Strategic Team (if applicable), and Business Development (if applicable) in setting up appointments and creating a timeline. Review the site book to ensure accuracy.   

• Understand the site inspection policy and communicate billing procedures to Design and Development and Event Management. 

• Maintain Salesforce database with current and future client contact information and needs.  

• Record all client communication in Salesforce. 

• Proactively reach out to ensure client satisfaction/retention while continuously searching and closing new business. 

• Participate in turn-over meeting with Event Manager and Design, Development Manager, Strategic Team (if applicable). Providing key insight into the client, company and program.  

• Provide continuous service to customers from program inception through completion, attending pre-convention meetings and maintaining visible presence throughout program operations. 

Marketing 

• Work with Marketing on sales materials, social media and website content.  

• Maintain a presence on social media and other sales outreach platforms. 

• Send post program follow upon program completion and follow up on any potential future business needs and/or referrals to other Cohera offices, with a focus on building long-term relationships with all accounts. 

• Stay up-to-date and on the pulse of events, new venues, and new experiences in local destinations becoming the go-to destination expert for our clients and hotel partners. 

• Work closely with the Design and Development team to ensure that new options are developed into tariff. 

QUALITY OF WORK RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Each employee at Cohera is expected to carry out all Quality of Work Responsibilities: to work as a productive team member, take initiative, act creatively, operate flexibly, and do everything with honesty, integrity, and with a focus on client satisfaction. 

• Work well in a fast-paced team environment, be willing to help others, work overtime when required, and deliver quality service to our clients.  

• Act in a self-starting way, make good independent decisions, and take steps to complete work within time parameters.  

• Generate new and innovative ways to improve Cohera products and services.   

• Recognize essential elements of a challenge and develop creative solutions.  

• Respond quickly to changing circumstances, anticipate new developments where possible, be receptive to new ideas/methods.  

• Act in a forthright way. 

• Give and accept feedback constructively. 

• Recognize and consider the client’s expectations and needs, be willing to “do what it takes” to fulfill those expectations.  

• Any other duties as assigned. 

Education and Experience 

• Four or more years total work experience with a minimum of three years in event or hospitality sales (preferably within a DMC or hotel environment). 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Working knowledge of event logistics, proposal writing, contract basics, and destination selling. 

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.  

• Strong attention to detail and follow-through. 

• Ability to build rapport and communicate effectively with clients. 

• Expertise in time management and prioritization across multiple programs and clients. 

• Expert knowledge of the local destination offerings such as restaurants, clubs, festivals, tours, and venues. 

• Ability to work as part of a team and independently on projects that require initiative.