Discovery Place

At Discovery Place, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we fuel your passion for science and the natural world by delivering awe-inspiring exhibits and educational programs.
Our immersive experiences captivate, challenge, and empower audiences of all ages, sparking a spirit of discovery and lifelong learning. We hope to forge a future where science catalyzes, creating boundless opportunities, fostering hope, solving complex problems and driving positive change across the globe.
Discovery Place operates a family of museums across the Charlotte region - Discovery Place Science, Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville, Discovery Place Kids-Rockingham, and the upcoming Charlotte Museum of Nature. Each year we host thousands of school groups, families, and community organizations. The Guest Sales & Reservations team is the front line of our group business, helping prospective guests turn an inquiry into a confirmed, memorable visit.
General Summary
The Guest Sales Associate is a full-time, consultative sales role focused on converting inquiries into confirmed bookings - primarily for school field trips and birthday parties, with additional volume across group reservations, classes, and membership. The ideal candidate will be someone who is comfortable on the phone, builds rapport quickly, and is energized by hitting weekly sales targets. 80 % the GSA role schedule consultations and proactive follow-up, working a managed pipeline of warm leads.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Sales & Conversion
• Conduct scheduled sales consultations with prospective guests, identifying needs and matching them to the right Discovery Place experience.
• Convert field trip, birthday party, and group inquiries into bookings through consultative selling and effective objection handling.
• Build compelling value propositions grounded in deep knowledge of our exhibits, programs, and pricing options.
Pipeline & Outreach
• Proactively manage a personal sales pipeline, keeping appointments and follow-ups on schedule.
• Run outbound calling campaigns (using Phone Burner or comparable tools) targeting prior guests, lapsed contacts, and qualified leads.
• Handle inbound calls and inquiries as needed, while protecting calendar time for scheduled consultations.
Coordination & Service
• Coordinate and book museum visits, classes, programs, and birthday parties across all Discovery Place locations.
• Support membership-related activities, including renewals, upgrades, and lead follow-up.
Reporting & Records
• Maintain accurate, detailed records of client interactions and sales activities in Salesforce.
• Surface trends, recurring objections, and new opportunities to the Director of Sales & Membership.
Competencies
• Proven ability to close sales and overcome objections.
• Excellence in consultative selling and relationship building.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective client engagement.
• Collaborates easily with colleagues.
• Skilled at managing a sales pipeline and following up consistently.
• Self-motivated with strong time management abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience in Salesforce is a plus.
• Salesforce CRM experience a plus.
Qualifications
High school diploma required. At least two years of sales experience with demonstrated success in closing deals. Experience in consultative selling and appointment-based sales preferred. Background in education, events, or guest service is a plus.
Working Conditions
Professional office environment. The noise level in the environment is moderate. We are currently working in a hybrid model. This position is in the office several days a week, with opportunities for remote work. This is not a remote-only position.
Physical Demands
Candidates must have the physical capability to lift 10 pounds and possess full auditory, visual, and manual dexterity. A valid driver's license and the ability to operate a vehicle are also required.
This job description is not an exhaustive list of all functions and responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned as needed. Management reserves the right to modify this description, including adding or removing tasks, to better align with organizational needs.
Equal Opportunity
Discovery Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Employees of Discovery Place should uphold the mission, vision and values of the organization. We strive to provide exceptional service through four core values: uncommon courtesy, the pursuit of personal excellence, teamwork and inclusion. We value the diversity of opinions and intellectual thought and encourage an environment where employees can share ideas openly.
The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities of this job. Other duties may be assigned. This job description may be changed to include new responsibilities and tasks or change existing ones as management deems necessary.