Office Of Group Travel Program Manager

Position Summary

The Program Manager of the Office of Group Travel will leverage their business development and industry expertise to craft and execute a strategy that generates sales leads and grows the economic impact of group travel in Wisconsin.

The Manager will connect one of Wisconsin's most iconic and recognizable brands - Travel Wisconsin - to the critical meetings and conventions, sports, motorcoach and international travel sectors to grow the economic impact of each through data-informed strategy, marketing and public relations, industry partner relations, and regional, national and international representation.

This position generates leads specifically for tourism industry partners, that include regional destination marketing organizations, tour operators and others. If you are a sales-minded, lead-generating, collaborative and strategic thinker looking to leave a long-lasting positive impact on Wisconsin tourism, this job is for you.

This position has a variable, nontraditional work schedule including some nights, overnights and weekends and requires the ability to travel within the state by car, as well as national and international travel. Travel is estimated at 15% and likely to occur a few days a month on average.

The position reports to the Secretary but is managed day-to-day by the Communications Director. This position will supervise one part-time employee. The manager collaborates regularly with a designated Tourism Development Specialist on the Industry Relations team and the Communications Director to execute Travel Wisconsin's tradeshow marketing strategy and attends tradeshows with a variety of industry partners.

This position is headquartered out of the Madison office and will have the option of working remotely up to 90%. This schedule may change based on training or operational needs. Employees will be required to come into the office for in-person collaboration meetings often occurring on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Employees will be required to report to the Madison office on their first day of employment and work in the office two days per week for the first three months of employment. Highspeed internet access is required to meet the needs of remote work.

For more information, please view the complete position description.

Salary Information

This position (Classification: Economic Development Consultant) is in schedule-range (81-03) with a starting hourly rate between $34.61 - $39.91 per hour, plus excellent benefits. Pay for current state employees will be set in accordance with the Wisconsin State Compensation Plan. A 12- month probationary period is required. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Our competitive benefits package features:

• State Employee & Retiree Health Plan including health, dental and wellness benefits, and supplemental Vision Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Long-Term Care Insurance and Pre-Tax Savings Accounts (for health, dental, vision, day care and commuter expenses).

• WRS Retirement Benefit pension plan that is intended to provide you with a lifetime retirement payment. It offers an employer match and lifetime retirement payment, plus an optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.

• Substantial leave time including at least 3.5 weeks of vacation to start, 9 paid holidays and ample accrued sick time that rolls over each year.

• Accumulated Sick Leave which allows retirees to convert unused sick leave into credits to help pay for health insurance premiums.

• Disability Benefits to cover the possibility of becoming disabled while working for a WRS employer making you eligible to receive disability benefits that will give you income for the time you are unable to return to work. An Income Continuation Insurance that replaces a portion of your income if you are unable to work because of sickness or injury (both short and long term).

• Group Life Insurance providing life insurance coverage up to five times your annual earnings and covers death and dismemberment.

• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program with tools and resources to help set health and well-being goals, track progress, stay motivated, and earn incentives. A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.

In addition to our generous employee benefits, we strive for inclusivity and celebrate different religious holidays and cultural observances and provide flexibility for utilizing paid time off for such celebrations.

Job Details

Due to the nature of the position, Tourism will conduct background checks on applicants prior to selection. Tourism does not sponsor work visas. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, and to complete the required employment eligibility form.

Qualifications

Qualified applicants will have experience in all of the following:

• Implementing marketing strategies

• Managing a program budget

• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with existing and potential customers or partners to generate sales leads

• Developing and implementing digital and traditional marketing content with a team or vendor

• Pitching and presenting to stakeholders or businesses and pitching and presenting at tradeshows.

In addition, well-qualified applicants will have experience in one or more of the following:

• Implementing marketing programs to group travel audiences, including serving as tradeshow representative

• Leading collaborative stakeholder groups to align on a marketing strategy and tradeshow presence

• Analyzing and deploying data and research to inform brand and marketing strategies

• Project management, program development and evaluation focused on cultivating sales leads, grant management and/or co-op marketing opportunities that generate economic revenue

• Planning a large conference (500 attendees or more) independently and/or with a contracted meeting planner

• Destination marketing, economic development and/or tourism

How To Apply

Apply online! To apply, click "Apply for Job" to start the application process.  Then, you will access your existing account or to create a new account if you don't have an account. Once you are logged in, click "Apply for Job." Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit your application. Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions section for general wisc.jobs user information and technical assistance.

Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. Please review instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications. Your cover letter is limited to a maximum of two (2) typed pages, single-spaced, no smaller than 10-point font, with 1-inch margins. Resumes should be limited to no more than two (2) pages (no format requirements). Pages more than the specified limits may not be evaluated. References are not necessary at this stage of the process.

Submitted materials will be evaluated and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the hiring process for available vacancies.

Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer or voluntary demotion) should complete the application process as described above by the stated deadline.

The State of Wisconsin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

If you are a veteran with a 30% or greater service-related disability and are not currently employed in a permanent position with Wisconsin State Government, please send a cover letter, resume, DD-214 and documentation of your service-connected disability rating (dated within 12 months) to the contact listed below.

Questions can be directed to Pilar Blomquist at Pilare.blomquist@wisconsin.gov.

Deadline to Apply

Applicant materials are due by 11:59pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.