Youth & Education Sales Representative

Merlin Entertainments is seeking an enthusiastic, energetic and ambitious Aquarist for it’s soon to open aquarium in Orlando, Florida.

The Orlando Eye is a 400ft observation wheel, providing unrivalled breath-taking views of Central Florida in all directions within fully enclosed, air-conditioned glass capsules.

SEA LIFE is the world’s biggest aquarium brand with more than 40 attractions across the world. Each attraction opens a window into the magical world beneath our seas.

Madame Tussauds is the ultimate celebrity interactive experience, where you can get up close and personal with A-list celebrities, sporting legends, political heavyweights and historical icons.

Welcoming more than 40 million guests a year, our attractions are the embodiment of everything our business stands for, and talented and motivated people are what really bring our attractions to life.  We are recruiting for a part time Aquarist for our Sea Life attraction.

Position Summary:   Responsible for driving group and school admissions by developing and maintaining relationships with local, regional, and national group, youth, school, community groups and tour operators to generate visitation to the Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando & SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and participation in education programs. Responsible for linking and partnering with the schools, community groups and business sector to define and refine educational programs.

Scope and Responsibilities:

• Manages group and education market by focusing sales efforts.  Studies existing and potential volume, and utilizes knowledge of territory, sales goals and quotas to plan and organize daily, weekly and monthly work schedule.  Researches, qualifies, solicits business, quotes group rates, closes and processes the sales order, and obtains payment from group accounts in assigned territory.  Services existing accounts, presents promotions, and establishes new accounts.  Spends approximately 60% of selling time in field sales and 40% of selling time on phone sales. Ensures excellence in customer service.
• Follows sales through sales cycle and completes all customer and promotions paperwork in a thorough and accurate manner.  Keeps management informed by submitting required activity and results reports.
• Develops and maintains effective business relationships with key contacts and accounts in the group and education market to achieve sales goals and promote the Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium.  Participates in trade shows, attends association meetings, and stays involved in industry organizations. Makes presentations utilizing knowledge of the attractions, features and guest experience at increase awareness and sales.
• Defines and identifies educational programming opportunities within the attractions that support regional school districts’ curriculum objectives and that further support attractions individual core values.
• Explores and develops opportunities for outreach to local schools, business and community groups to create summer/off-track programs and build partnerships for education and learning.
• Establishes a communication link between Reservation Sales and general public to ensure appropriate information is delivered regarding school groups, educational programs and any other inquiries related to educational programs.
•  Additional duties as assigned.

Background and Experience:

Requires at least two years of professional outside sales experience, preferably in youth and educational sales, tour and travel industry, a theme park, hotel or resort, or closely related business.  Requires a track record of success in meeting sales quotas and targets and providing excellence in customer service.

Requires ability to manage a territory and key accounts, strong selling skills and knowledge of sales techniques, and excellence in customer service.  Ability to evaluate sales potential, organize, and prioritize activities with attention to detail and accuracy.  Ability to meet targets, quotas and goals, and timelines.  Requires demonstrated skill in interpersonal relationships, making presentations, negotiations, and verbal and written communications.  Ability to function independently, proactively, and effectively in a fast paced environment.  Computer proficiency with ability to use Microsoft Office Products (Word and Excel) is required.  Requires the ability to build business partnerships and relationships with industry, community and business groups and sectors to position and promote the Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. Demonstrated leadership experience and effective verbal and written communication skills required.  Strong group facilitation, presentation, and strategic project management skills required.  Requires the ability to build partnerships and coalitions with the schools, community groups and the business sector to develop and implement educational programs. Knowledge of local and regional school districts and curriculum requirements in the educational system at various grade levels preferred.

Education:

A bachelors degree (or equivalent education and experience) in business, marketing, management or closely related field (or equivalent education and experience) is required

Physical Demands:

Ability to sit for sustained periods of time to attend on-site and off-site meetings, perform paperwork activities, travel and drive.

Intermittent and prolonged standing and walking to move about the attractions and interact with employees and guests.

Ability to climb stairs to gain access to upper level of buildings.

Finger dexterity sufficient to complete paperwork activities and to use a computer.

Visual acuity sufficient to read written materials, to complete paperwork activities, and to drive.