Sales Associate

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Sales Associate

Salary

$19.50 - $28.64 Hourly

Location

Lakeland, FL

Job Type

Full Time Regular

Job Number

228405-03

Department

RP Funding Center

Division

RPFC Admin Support Staff 0509400000

Opening Date

06/07/2024

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NA

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

This is responsible work in event recruitment and sales to solicit new events for the RP Funding Center. As such, it promotes the facility's and the city/county's benefits to prospective user groups. The work involves obtaining new business, networking to retain current business, and participating in and coordinating marketing efforts to promote the facility to prospective clients.

The Sales Associate is responsible for promoting the venue and booking events, working with clients on rates and contract terms, and conveying this information to all departments to ensure client satisfaction. The Sales Specialist and/or the executive director may assign this position a sales market segment.

This position assists with graphic design for the venue's promotional materials. The role will also assist with the Sales social media and digital advertising plans and execution.

The Sales Associate will report to the Sales Specialist.

Please note this posting is "Continuous" and can close at ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists the Sales Specialist in developing and implementing a sales strategy to attract, book, and retain new events for the RP Funding Center

• Works on a base salary with a bonus incentive attained by reaching new contracted event goals established by the Executive Director.

• Works with area organizations to enhance outside sales focusing on the Central Florida market, i.e., Central Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau, facility in-house caterer, and area hotel sales representatives.

• Prepares and presents new business proposals.

• Provides timely updates and status reports to superiors.

• Generates sales leads and maintains relationships with industry contacts.

• Negotiates contracts with potential clients and closes deals.

• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, streamline processes, and work cooperatively with clients, fellow employees, and catering partners to deliver a high-quality product and customer service that exceeds clients' expectations.

• Receives and responds to suggestions and concerns from clients and partners.

• Participates in the development and execution of Sales marketing plan and materials.

• Creates sales marketing social media posts, print and digital marketing ads.

• Attends meetings, conventions, and conferences both in and out of state for high visibility in promoting sales and the RP Funding Center.

• Assists with general administrative duties as necessary, including, but not limited to, generating reports, filing and preparing expense reports, and processing p-card transactions and travel expense reports for the department.

• May be required to work overtime or alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.

• Position designated as Mission Critical.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)

• High school diploma from an accredited school or a GED.

• One (1) year of responsible sales, event, or marketing experience in a convention center, conference center, public assembly facility, or another role in the tourism/hospitality field.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

• Must maintain a valid telephone number.

• Must have reliable transportation for attending sales meetings and events.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Knowledge of basic math and reading.

• Sound knowledge of marketing and sales principles, practices, and methods.

• Considerable knowledge of modern office equipment and personal computers.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office

• Basic skills in Photoshop, Canva, and Adobe

• Proven sales and/or marketing experience within the hospitality convention and tourism industry.

• Ability to work flexible, non-traditional business hours, late nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Proven industry contacts within the hospitality, convention, tourism, and meeting planning industries.

• Sound knowledge of creating, developing, implementing, and evaluating advertising, marketing, public relations, and promotional programs.

• Sound knowledge of social media and digital advertising trends.

• Ability to proofread and edit all written and visual materials for clarity, accuracy, and content.

• Excellent ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with all levels of employees, clients, patrons, and customers.

• Ability to learn and effectively utilize software specific to the position, including Ungerboeck and Social Tables booking programs.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, lessees, patrons, consultants, vendors, sponsors, promoters, community leaders, and the public as necessitated by the work.

• Ability to work under minimal supervision for extended periods.

• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally, both written and orally.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard operations.

• The job risks exposure to no significant environmental hazards.

• The job requires normal visual acuity, and field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including “junk” folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

City of Lakeland

2024 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

*NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan:

Plan C Employee 3.12%

Employer 15.64%

OR

Defined Contribution Plan:

Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.39%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:

A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2024 is $23,000; employees aged 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $7,500. Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Sue Cook at 834-6844.

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Kathy McNelis at 834-6348.

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking

Free while at work.

Break Periods

Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services Department at 834-8765 or 834-8797.

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.

01

Do you possess a high school diploma or GED from an accredited school?

• Yes

• No

  02

  Do you possess one (1) year of responsible sales, event, or marketing experience in a convention center, conference center, public assembly facility, or another role in the tourism/hospitality field?

• Yes

• No

  03

  Please provide a narrative supporting your answer to the above question. Be sure to include specific job title(s), job duties, organization(s) and the dates where the work was performed. Note: The employers and dates of employment you list here must also be included in the "Work Experience" section of this job application.

  04

  Do you possess a vaild State of Florida Driver's License?

• Yes

• No

  05

  By clicking "Yes" below, I understand that all relevant work experience MUST be entered in the "Work Experience" section on my application. In addition, all current City of Lakeland employees must list all previous City of Lakeland work experience in the "Work Experience" section of the application. Failure to complete the "Work Experience" section will disqualify you from the application process.

• Yes

• No

  Required Question

Agency

City of Lakeland, Civil Service

Address

500 N Lake Parker Avenue Lakeland, Florida, 33801

Phone

(863)834-8790

Website

http://www.lakelandgov.net/employmentservices