Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

The Senior Convention Sales Manager will support the growth and development of the sales team at the facility, helping drive individual and departmental sales goals. This position is responsible for championing the overall tasks related to Sales for the facility and will also lead sales personnel in establishing goals, procedures and daily duties. The Senior Convention Sales Manager will manage, supervise and coordinate the activities and operations of the Convention Sales Department in coordination with the department director; to schedule and book facility events, and market the facility at conferences and travel-planner programs; and to provide highly responsible staff assistance to higher-level management staff.

This job will pay a salary of $62,000 - $72,000. 

Benefits for FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 12 holidays).

This position will remain open until December 31, 2024

Located in the heart of downtown Lexington, the Central Bank Center offers over 200,000 sf of event space that attracts conventions, meetings, expos, banquets and much more.  The Senior Sales Manager is directly responsible for actively recruiting these types of events to the center and managing their success.

Our Purpose
We are building an organization that serves our fans, community, and partners through world-class entertainment, sports, and event management. We believe in being authentically Kentucky. This means staying true to what makes Kentucky, Kentucky, by rolling up our sleeves to get things done, valuing hospitality and gathering together, being a pillar in our community, teamwork over the individual, celebrating our wins, taking risks, and stretching our potential. As part of Oak View Group, we embrace a positive disRUPPtion. OVG was built on the idea that we are all fans first, and our decisions and guest interactions are made through that lens.

• Assume management responsibility for all services and activities of the Convention Sales department including the scheduling and booking of facility events; creating vendor packages, sales materials, proposals, sales calls and contracts.
• Coordinate and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities of all sales programs and activities
• Assume management responsibility for all services and activities of the Sales Department within the facility including sales tools and materials, proposals, sales calls and contracts
• Along with the department director select, train, motivate and evaluate all sales personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures
• Plan, direct, coordinate, and review the work plan for providing tours, materials, contracts, and sales services
• Participate in the development and administration of the annual budget; forecast additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; track the approval of expenditures; direct and implement adjustments as necessary
• Prepare written proposals; reevaluate potential business value of various events and clients; initiate contractual arrangements
• Conduct tours of facility for potential licensees; answer questions and provide information regarding facility capabilities
• Prepares and forecasts revenue for the sales department and make suggestions on how to increase revenue
• Meets with Director of Convention Sales, Assistant General Manager and/or General Manager on a regular basis to discuss all matters pertaining to sales operations
• Work with Marketing Department on creating, selling and tracking sales campaigns
• Update sales content on third party websites
• Attract new business by cold calling, lead generation, etc.
• Achieve individual and team sales goals and helps others sales managers reach their goal.
• Travel to regional planning events throughout the year in search of new business
• Budget and work within operating budget
• Responsible for revenue generation
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

• Minimum of five to seven (5-7) years of increasingly responsible sales experience for an arena, convention center, sports franchise, hotel or other similar public assembly or hospitality facility, with a preference to include supervisory responsibility
• Bachelor’s degree or better from an accredited college or university with major course works in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field
• Ability to work event nights, weekends and holidays as required
• Has a strong track record of building relationships and generating new business
• Excellent organizational skills, leadership skills, customer service skills
• Enthusiastic and positive thinker
• Strong PC and data processing skills; working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, as well as database management software
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Skilled in all customer service and administrative procedures established by the convention center.
• Skill in public relations, oral and written communications, public speaking, contract negotiations,
• Experience with modern and complex principles and practices of sales and marketing.
• Experience with supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• • Ability to demonstrate supervisory and leadership skills and a thorough knowledge of convention planning and related activities.
• Advanced computer proficiency and Microsoft products knowledge, to include Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Ability to identify potential problems and make plans for corrective action.
• Some travel as needed.

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.