SMERF Sales Manager

Club Quarters•Chicago, IL

19d•Hybrid

About The Position

Club Quarters Hotels is seeking an experienced and ambitious Sales Manager to drive growth within the SMERF market for our Chicago hotels. The ideal candidate is a market-savvy, results-driven seller ready to take full ownership of this segment, build lasting relationships and elevate our presence in the Chicago market.

Requirements

Proven track record in proactive hotel group sales.
Demonstrated success in maintaining and building client relationships, with a passion for aggressively developing new business.
Highly comfortable and effective working in a team-selling environment.
Strong presentation skills alongside excellent written and verbal communication.
Advanced computer skills with deep familiarity in common hospitality CRM and sales software, specifically Salesforce, Opera, and Thynk.
Must be willing and able to work varied hours based on business needs.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience in the SMERF market is highly preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Create, implement, and monitor short- and long-range sales strategies for SMERF segments to optimize revenue, maximize profitability, and assist in developing overarching sales plans.
Establish a robust SMERF client base (Social, Military, Educational, Religious, and Fraternal) through proactive inside and outside sales efforts to secure group business and exceed revenue goals.
Ensure group account room-night potential is identified, targeted, and solicited in a timely manner.
Monitor and provide competitive market intelligence within the SMERF segments to identify trends and maintain a competitive edge.
Negotiate and execute group contracts that align with the hotel’s sales guidelines to meet or exceed revenue and incentive goals.
Arrange and conduct site inspections, hotel tours, special events, and off-site presentations for potential clients.
Build collaborative, mutually supportive relationships with customers, the local community, regional sales offices, and hotel staff.
Follow up with clients regularly during and after their departure to ensure complete satisfaction and secure future repeat bookings.
Represent the hotels in a professional manner by actively participating in local networking organizations, community groups, and industry events.
Effectively utilize Group Rooms Control (GRC) reports to track group opportunities, measure year-over-year (YOY) performance, identify need periods, and adjust strategies accordingly.
Provide effective written communication and group resumes to the hotel operations team regarding onsite groups and events to ensure seamless execution.
Partner closely with appropriate hotel departments to identify and resolve operational bottlenecks that impact sales performance.
Promote teamwork and quality service by assisting the sales coordinator with servicing groups during high-demand periods and participating in resume meetings.
Maintain accurate client files and update CRM/sales database information daily in accordance with established departmental procedures.
Comply with all departmental policies, service standards, sales guidelines, and safety/emergency protocols.
Perform other duties as assigned by leadership.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for eligible healthcare expenses.
Voluntary life insurance along with short-term and long-term disability coverage.
A 401(k)-retirement plan to help secure your financial future.
Robust Paid Time Off (PTO) programs to rest and recharge.
Paid holiday time off or holiday compensation.
Dedicated paid leave for jury duty and bereavement.
Exclusive hotel discounts across our portfolio.
Continuous opportunities for professional advancement and internal career growth.
Competitive wages with regular opportunities for review.