Sales Manager

Sage Hospitality Group•Portland, OR

About The Position

The Group Sales Manager generates profitable group business for The Bidwell Marriott Portland through proactive prospecting, account development, lead conversion, negotiation, and closing. The role sells group room nights and related meeting space and food and beverage commitments within assigned markets and booking parameters, supporting hotel revenue and market share goals. The position presents the hotel’s character, local connections, and Marriott reliability in ways that match prospective clients’ objectives. This is a dedicated selling position, covering the sales process from prospecting and qualification through proposal development, contract negotiation, execution, and handoff to the designated servicing team. The manager retains the commercial relationship for future sales, repeat bookings, and referrals. Contract servicing and event planning or operational execution are handled by designated servicing or operating departments. The role works toward assigned sales and activity goals, develops accounts and new opportunities, qualifies and converts leads, negotiates profitable agreements, maintains accurate sales records and forecasts, and collaborates with hotel colleagues. It also represents the hotel and Sage Hospitality with integrity and supports a welcoming, inclusive environment. The position is based in a general office and hotel environment, with off-site sales appointments and occasional weather exposure. Schedule flexibility may be needed for client presentations, sales travel, and industry events.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
At least six months of experience in sales, a customer service role, or a hotel environment is preferred.
Knowledge of general sales techniques, strong selling skills, yield-management experience, and highly developed customer-service and relationship-building skills.
Effective English communication, business writing, presentation, and negotiation skills.
Mathematics, spelling, and reading skills at a 12th-grade level sufficient for accurate proposals, contracts, and sales calculations.
Ability to follow verbal and written instructions, manage multiple priorities, plan activities, solve problems, make sound business decisions, and respond constructively to coaching and training.
Ability to use office equipment and hotel sales systems, proficiency with common business software, and ability to learn approved sales platforms.
Reliable personal transportation and a valid state driver’s license for off-site sales calls, consistent with current position requirements.
Ability to perform property tours, climb stairs, operate door keys and office equipment, read detailed documents and screens, and view spaces with varying light levels.
Occasional standing and repeated bending or kneeling while filing; occasional lifting or carrying of files and office items weighing up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

College degree preferred.
Hotel group sales experience is helpful.
Familiarity with Marriott or boutique hotels is helpful.

Responsibilities

Meet or exceed assigned group room-night and revenue goals, achieve management-set productivity and activity goals, and dedicate at least 90% of work time to direct sales efforts.
Plan and prioritize outreach, appointments, proposals, and closing activity according to the department budget, marketing plan, hotel need periods, and qualified revenue opportunities.
Maintain a prioritized Targeted Account Development list and convert research into consistent outbound sales activity.
Generate business through telephone and email outreach, off-site appointments, referrals, networking, trade events, and other prospecting methods.
Develop assigned group segments, research local organizations and demand generators, grow existing accounts, and pursue recurring business, additional meetings, and referrals.
Build relationships with meeting planners, intermediaries, local partners, and applicable Marriott sales channels; coordinate lead follow-up and refer appropriate opportunities to other Sage hotels.
Follow up on leads within 24 hours or sooner when required, respond to proposals and client questions, and qualify dates, room needs, meeting and dining requirements, budget, decision process, competition, and booking timeline.
Verify fit with hotel availability, space, and operating capabilities; prepare persuasive proposals, present alternatives when needed, conduct sales presentations and property tours, and use a disciplined follow-up and closing process.
Maintain current product knowledge and accurately represent hotel amenities, capacities, inclusions, and restrictions; document lost or declined business reasons.
Negotiate profitable room rates and function-space commitments using yield-management techniques; coordinate with the Director of Sales & Marketing and Revenue Management on pricing, need dates, demand, and business mix.
Evaluate total booking value and associated concessions, commissions, acquisition costs, and displacement; obtain approval for offers outside established parameters.
Prepare and negotiate accurate contracts within delegated authority, document commercial terms, obtain required approvals and signatures, and record agreements in approved systems.
Sell suitable enhancements and future programs without making commitments beyond approved hotel capabilities; refer nonstandard contract terms or legal questions to the designated approver.
Transfer executed agreements and complete sales records to the designated servicing team under established procedures, introduce clients to servicing contacts, and clarify sales commitments when requested.
Maintain commercial relationships for future bookings and referrals, while routing service matters to the assigned servicing team rather than assuming responsibility for program servicing.
Maintain accurate customer profiles, account histories, trace dates, opportunity stages, proposals, contracts, and next steps in approved systems; prepare sales reports and realistic forecasts.
Collaborate with the Conference Services Manager on thoughtful experiences for key groups, and coordinate Sales Coordinator support for prospect research, proposals, records, and other selling activities.
Use approved Marriott, Sage Hospitality, and hotel sales tools; follow brand standards and company procedures; protect confidential information and manage approved travel and sales expenses.
Represent The Bidwell and Sage Hospitality with integrity, a service-focused attitude, and open communication; support an inclusive environment and communicate the hotel’s Portland and Pacific Northwest identity in relevant sales conversations.
Perform other duties assigned by management consistent with the position’s dedicated selling scope.

Benefits

$50 discounted Tri-Met monthly pass
Drastically reduced hotel rates for employees, friends, and family at Marriott and Sage hotels
Sage Restaurant Concepts discounts
Unlimited paid time off
Paid sick time
Paid holidays
Medical insurance
Vision insurance
Dental insurance
Complimentary parking at the hotel garage
Referral bonus eligibility