Account Specialist - Green Key Global

Co-operated by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), Green Key Global (GKG) is a leading international environmental certification body that offers standardized programs and resources, designed specifically for the hotel and meetings industries. Green Key’s mission is to be positioned in the lodging industry as a leader in corporate social responsibility certification, through education, collaboration and promotion.  

Green Key Global is at an exciting inflection point. AHLA entered a partnership with HAC to establish a North America-wide solution for sustainability certification for hotels. Green Key Global is poised for rapid expansion and is undertaking a major scale-up effort.  

Summary:

AHLA and HAC are currently seeking an Account Specialist to support its Green Key Global Sustainability Certification Sales efforts in USA & Canada.

The Account Specialist supports Green Key Global’s sales and market development activities by generating new business opportunities, managing early-stage prospect engagement, and coordinating sales and relationship support for the Account Manager.

This role focuses on cold-calling, lead qualification, and outreach to hotels, management companies, Convention & Visitor Bureaus (CVBs), Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), and industry associations. The Account Specialist will also prepare customized sales presentations, coordinate pre- and post-event campaigns, manage partner recognition, and provide market intelligence to strengthen outreach strategies.

As part of a small, fast-growing organization, this person must be comfortable multi-tasking, creating structure where processes are still being developed, and taking initiative to solve problems and improve efficiency. Over time, this position offers growth potential into a client-facing account management role.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

Lead Generation & Prospecting

• Conduct cold calls, email campaigns, and LinkedIn outreach to prospective hotels, management companies, CVBs, DMOs, and associations.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to develop and refine multi-channel outreach campaigns, including email templates, call scripts, and social media messaging.
• Qualify leads based on GKG’s target profile and schedule introductory calls or presentations for the Account Manager.
• Leverage existing member and partner networks to generate referrals and expand outreach opportunities.
• Research target organizations, identify key decision-makers, and map potential business opportunities.
• Track and report on outreach activity, conversion rates, and pipeline metrics in the CRM.

Sales, Presentation & Event Support

• Prepare customized sales slide decks, proposals, and one-pagers tailored to the prospect’s market segment and needs.
• Maintain and update GKG’s sales collateral library with current case studies, metrics, and brand assets.
• Assist in compiling market research and competitor insights for presentations and outreach campaigns.
• Compile background research and briefing materials on prospects and partners prior to events and meetings.
• Support event sponsorship coordination and partner recognition in marketing communications.

Event & Partner Coordination

• Manage pre- and post-event outreach for tradeshows, industry conferences, and partner meetings.
• Design and execute follow-up call and email campaigns to nurture leads after events, ensuring timely engagement and pipeline advancement.
• Track partner engagement in events/webinars and report updates to the Account Manager.
• Collaborate with marketing to spotlight members and partners on social media, newsletters, and other communications.

Market Intelligence, Data & Reporting

• Monitor hospitality and sustainability trends, competitor activity, and emerging partnership opportunities to inform outreach and presentation content.
• Maintain accurate and complete CRM data for accounts, contacts, and communications.
• Participate in targeted database update and enrichment projects to improve data quality.
• Prepare weekly performance reports summarizing outreach activity, lead generation results, and conversion metrics.

Account Support & Onboarding

• Assist in onboarding new members by guiding them through the initial steps of the certification process and providing resources.
• Serve as the initial point of contact for general prospect and partner inquiries.
• Coordinate internally to ensure timely responses and resource delivery to prospects and partners.

Knowledge & Skills Required:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in sales support, inside sales, lead generation, or related role (hospitality, tourism, or sustainability sector experience preferred).
• Strong verbal communication skills and confidence in phone outreach and prospect engagement.
• Proficiency in creating and editing presentations (Microsoft PowerPoint required).
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and CRM systems (Salesforce experience preferred).
• Self-starter with a strong work ethic, able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to create and refine processes to improve efficiency and scalability.
• Knowledge of the hotel industry, tourism organizations (CVBs/DMOs), or sustainability programs is an asset but not required.

Additional Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in business, hospitality, marketing, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Must have a home-based workspace and reliable high-speed internet.
• Occasional travel for industry events, team meetings, or partner engagements.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in driving sustainability initiatives within the hospitality industry and making a meaningful impact on environmental conservation and corporate social responsibility.

The candidate must have a suitable home-based workspace and reliable high-speed internet.

AHLA and HAC are an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We respect the dignity and independence of people with disabilities and provide.

Salary Range:

The expected salary for this position would be between $55,000 and $65,000 depending on experience. Position is eligible for bonus consideration based on performance goals.