Group Sales Manager - Onsite (FT)

Grand Traverse Resort•Acme, MI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa seeks a dynamic and driven Group Sales Manager to join our Conference Sales team and help elevate the success of our group business sales. As a Group Sales Manager, you will be responsible for booking group business within a designated market segment (SMERF - Social, Sports, Weddings, Family reunions, Military/Government, Education, Religious, Fraternal), growing an established base of accounts, and uncovering new opportunities to maximize revenue and room night goals. Our Group Sales Managers are passionate sales professionals with proven skills in prospecting, rate and contract negotiation, business planning, and relationship management. This is an onsite position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university.
2-4 years of proven, tracked sales experience.
Demonstrated ability to travel via commercial airlines, utilize rental cars, stay in hotels, and navigate unfamiliar locations.
Exceptional sales skills, including prospecting, negotiation, and closing.
Strong business planning, analytical, and communication skills.
Proficient in using sales systems (Salesforce) and Microsoft Office Suite amongst other programs.
Positive, entrepreneurial attitude and ability to work with different personality types.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle multiple priorities under deadline.
Able to motivate others, communicate professionally and create a pleasant working environment.
Team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills and a customer-focused mindset.
Analyze and interpret financial reports and legal documents.
Respond to inquiries and complaints with professionalism and tact.
Present information clearly to management, clients, and public groups.
Apply mathematical concepts to practical business situations.
Maintain confidentiality and adhere to company policies.

Responsibilities

Proactively target and solicit group accounts in your assigned market segment, focusing on account saturation and new business development.
Analyze market data and historical information to identify, qualify, and recommend prospective group accounts.
Understand the overall market in which they sell (i.e.: competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand, etc.).
Respond promptly to incoming group leads (10+ rooms peak) and manage the contracting process from negotiation to close.
Build and strengthen relationships with existing and new customers through sales calls, trade shows, FAM trips, site inspections, and entertainment.
Collaborate with off-property sales channels and internal resort departments to ensure coordinated sales efforts and superior guest experiences.
Negotiate rates and contracts within established parameters to secure the best opportunities for the resort, balancing market conditions and hotel needs.
Maintain accurate and timely information in Salesforce to support effective communication and contract execution.
Prepare creative proposals and contracts tailored to client needs.
Deliver effective turnover to conference services to ensure flawless execution of group events.
Provide effective, professional and productive communication amongst internal departments.
Develop and implement clear market plans and action steps to achieve personal and resort revenue goals.
Achieve established group revenue, room night, and food & beverage goals as set with the Director of Sales.
Organize prospect files and collaborate on marketing materials to enhance travel and sales efforts.
Participate in designated training programs and maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry best practices.
Prepare and execute marketing plans, submit annual travel budgets, and manage travel arrangements and expense reports.
Communicate sales updates with the Sales Team, Representation Companies, and Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Support and adhere to the resort’s environmental practices.