Director of Sales
About The Position
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 of Sales is a senior-level sales role responsible for the full lifecycle management of large national associations, conventions, and trade shows. This position drives awareness and demand for McCormick Place and the city of Chicago within a highly competitive national marketplace and carries a significant production responsibility. This role requires a respected sales leader with deep industry expertise, strong consultative selling skills, and a proven ability to close complex, high-profile business. The Director serves as a trusted advisor to clients, a visible representative of Choose Chicago, and a collaborative partner within the broader sales organization.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent professional experience.
- Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive experience in DMO, convention center, trade show, or hotel sales.
- Proven success managing complex accounts and closing large-scale meetings and convention business.
- Advanced consultative selling, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Strong industry reputation and ability to lead by example within a high-performing sales culture.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to develop creative solutions within budget parameters.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
- Strong working knowledge of Chicago, McCormick Place, and competing convention destinations.
- High level of proficiency with CRM systems, Microsoft Office, and related sales and presentation tools (e.g., PowerPoint, Excel, Canva).
- Ability to travel by air and ground and to host client engagements outside of standard business hours.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as required.
- Ability to work in-office a minimum of three (3) days per week.
Responsibilities
- Grow market share in the 3,000+ peak room meetings and convention segment across the Northeast and Southeast territories (all segments), as well as Midwest corporate accounts.
- Manage and grow a portfolio of large national association, convention, and trade show accounts, while developing new accounts annually.
- Develop and execute comprehensive business and market plans to drive short- and long-term demand for Chicago and McCormick Place.
- Represent Choose Chicago at assigned industry events, trade shows, and client meetings, maintaining a high-profile industry presence.
- Collaborate with internal sales partners to develop long-range strategies for future events currently hosted at McCormick Place.
- Maintain expert knowledge of associations, conventions, trade shows, market trends, and competitive destinations.
- Promote Chicago’s competitive advantages through tailored sales strategies, benefits, and value propositions.
- Prepare and deliver persuasive sales presentations to key stakeholders and decision-makers.
- Maintain accurate activity and account records within the CRM system.
- Travel up to 30%.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
