Travel Business Development Manager

We are seeking a Travel Business Development Manager (Nebraska/Iowa-REMOTE) for a full time and direct hire role for one of our amazing partners in the travel & tour industry. This role is remote but you MUST be living in the United States and specifically in the state you are working in. You MUST be a US Citizen or Green Card Holder. This role does NOT offer sponsorship its NOT a consulting role and we do NOT work with 3rd parties!

Overview:

Outside Sales Business Development Travel & Group Experiences

We are partnering with a growing company in the travel industry to identify a Business Development Manager who will be responsible for growing an assigned territory through new account development relationship building and repeat business. This is a hands-on field-based sales role for a self-motivated hunter who enjoys building a territory from the ground up. Youll identify and develop new business opportunities establish relationships with organizational decision-makers and group leaders present travel programs to prospective travelers and ultimately grow revenue through new and repeat group bookings. You should be comfortable generating your own opportunities through cold calling email outreach referrals networking scheduled appointments and in-person prospecting. Youll need to be equally comfortable having a one-on-one conversation with a decision-maker and presenting to a room full of potential travelers.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced outside sales professional who enjoys travel relationship development and owning the results of their territory. A proactive relationship-driven outside sales professional who enjoys finding their own opportunities getting in front of customers and building a territory over time. You should be comfortable hearing no making the next call walking into a new organization giving a presentation and continuing to build relationships until the right opportunity develops. A genuine interest in travel and working with people is a plus but proven sales ability persistence organization and ownership are the most important qualities.

Responsibilities:

New Business Development

• Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective accounts within an assigned territory
• Identify organizations and groups with the potential to generate recurring travel business
• Prospect through cold calling email referrals networking online research scheduled appointments and in-person visits
• Develop relationships with decision-makers group leaders community organizations travel professionals and other potential referral sources
• Create and maintain a consistent prospecting and field-visit schedule
• Qualify prospects based on audience travel interest timing budget and potential for long-term business

Sales & Business Development

• Manage the sales process from initial prospecting through proposal booking and confirmation
• Understand each prospects goals and recommend travel programs that align with their audience and needs
• Present the value of available travel programs address questions and objections and confidently ask for the business
• Develop new group business while working toward territory revenue and passenger goals
• Maintain consistent follow-up throughout potentially long sales cycles
• Partner with internal teams to ensure opportunities move smoothly from sales through fulfillment

Presentations & Customer Engagement

• Conduct engaging presentations and travel programs for groups and prospective travelers
• Present to both small groups and larger audiences creating excitement and confidence around travel opportunities
• Clearly communicate trip details itineraries expectations and value
• Address traveler questions and concerns in a professional and personable manner
• Work with group leaders to develop strategies for promoting and filling trips
• Monitor booking activity and take proactive steps when additional support is needed

Account Growth & Retention

• Build strong long-term relationships with existing accounts and group leaders
• Identify opportunities for repeat business additional departures new destinations and referrals
• Stay engaged with customers throughout the travel lifecycle and follow up after completed programs
• Work collaboratively with internal teams to address customer needs and resolve issues
• Take ownership of the customer relationship and follow through on commitments

Territory Management

• Independently manage your calendar priorities travel schedule prospecting activity and follow-up
• Maintain an accurate and active pipeline of qualified prospects
• Keep CRM records current including contacts activities opportunities next steps and expected timing
• Maintain an accurate sales forecast and communicate potential risks or changes early
• Participate in sales meetings pipeline reviews coaching and training
• Use data and feedback to continuously improve territory performance

Requirements:

• Proven success in outside sales territory sales business development or a similar new-business-focused role
• Demonstrated experience prospecting for new business and consistently meeting or exceeding sales goals
• Strong track record of developing new accounts and growing repeat business
• Comfortable with cold calling prospecting networking and in-person business development
• Highly self-motivated and able to independently manage a territory without relying on a steady flow of inbound leads
• Persistent and resilient with the ability to handle rejection while maintaining a professional relationship-oriented approach
• Excellent communication listening and relationship-building skills
• Strong presentation and public-speaking abilities
• Comfortable presenting to both individual decision-makers and larger groups
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple prospects accounts sales cycles deadlines and travel commitments simultaneously
• Experience using a CRM and standard business technology including email spreadsheets video conferencing and presentation tools
• Coachable accountable and willing to take ownership of results
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned territory including overnight travel approximately 23 nights per week.

Nice to Have:

• Experience in travel tourism hospitality group travel or related industries
• Experience selling escorted tours cruises vacation packages or other group experiences
• Existing relationships with organizations that coordinate group activities or travel
• Experience working with community organizations membership-based organizations professional associations religious organizations educational/alumni groups financial institutions clubs or travel advisors
• Experience selling to mature or senior audiences
• Existing relationships within the assigned territory
• Experience conducting group presentations seminars informational sessions or sales events
• Experience managing a large geographic territory with significant field travel
• Bachelors degree or equivalent professional experience

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color national origin age ancestry religion sex sexual orientation gender identity gender expression marital status disability medical condition genetic information pregnancy or military or veteran status. You must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.