Manager, Sales and Business Development

Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America

Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) is the only national membership organization of wine and spirits distributors.  We have been an advocate for our member for over 76 years and provide innovative and fun programs and resources to help our members succeed and thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace.

This position is about finding long-term partners, understanding their business needs, matching those needs with our products and sales opportunities, and building strong mutually beneficial relationships for WSWA and its members. 

Job Summary

Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) is seeking an experienced sales and business development professional who will create and execute sales strategies and plans to increase revenue of various association products. This position will focus most of its time with the Meetings and Conventions team to develop and execute new strategies to increase exhibit sales, meetings and convention sponsorship opportunities, and increase revenue. This position also be responsible for developing and executing sales strategies for association products, such as for our SipSource data report and State Law Database. The individual must have the ability to understand the business needs of potential sales targets, along with the capability of effectively identifying leads, making an offer, and closing the sale. The individual will develop sales and sponsorship plans, along with a comprehensive sponsorship benefits package in consultation with internal planning partners to support the business objectives of WSWA.

Job Responsibilities

Member Meetings and the Annual Convention

• Develop and implement a comprehensive sales and sponsorship strategy and plan for member meetings and the annual convention.
• Identify high-value sales and sponsorship opportunities (e.g., prioritize channels and prospects) to meet revenue targets, in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Create, promote, and sell products/services/sponsorships to existing and prospective targets.
• Communicate to current and potential prospects via calls (outbound and inbound calls), direct mail, email, and social media.
• Ensure long-term retention of current partners (vendors, exhibitors, etc.) and sponsors.
• Create an experience and/or benefits package relevant to the product or service.
• Cultivate new customers for the Annual Convention

SipSource

• Create and execute sales strategy and plan to increase SipSource subscriptions.
• Help internal team create and execute marketing of SipSource, e.g., through webinars, media articles, direct (e)mail marketing pieces, etc.
• Work with third-parties on joint promotional efforts.
• Help design and sell custom-designed SipSource products, e.g., customized data products tailored to specific buyers.

State Law Database

• Work with the Legal & Regulatory department to market and sell subscriptions to the State Law Database.

Skills and Abilities

• Experience in prospect development and management, sponsor acquisition, and customer retention.
• Experience in developing lists for email and direct mail marketing campaigns for product and sponsorship sales.
• Expertise in the development of sales plans including the identification of target markets, customer segmentation, and customer outreach.
• Strong oral and written skills. Comfortable with giving presentations to varying sizes of groups.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently, as well as part of team is required.
• Strong interpersonal and customer-service skills required.
• Consistent and thorough attention to detail.
• Strong critical thinking skills. Ability to understand how the sales of each of the various association products benefit different customers.