Group Sales Manager - SMERF

The Summit Hotel; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Valor Hospitality is seeking a Group Sales Manager to generate and book group business for the property, including meetings, conferences, social groups, and room blocks. This role focuses on identifying opportunities, responding to leads, building client relationships, negotiating terms, and contracting business.

Once contracted, coordination transfers to the hotel team for planning and execution. You will prospect, respond to leads, sell and contract segments such as SMERF, and maintain a

Qualifications

• Previous sales experience required; hotel, hospitality, group, or event sales experience preferred.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Comfortable prospecting, negotiating, presenting, and asking for the business.
• Organized and able to manage multiple leads and sales opportunities at different stages.
• Strong follow-up and attention to detail.
• Experience with hotel sales or CRM systems preferred.
• Understanding of hotel group sales, contracts, room blocks, meeting space, and food and beverage is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Prospect for and develop new group business.
• Respond to incoming group leads and qualify potential business.
• Sell and contract assigned group segment: SMERF Social, Military, Educational, Religious, and Fraternal
• Build relationships with new and existing clients to generate repeat and referral business.
• Prepare proposals, negotiate rates and terms, and issue contracts.
• Conduct hotel tours, site visits, and sales appointments
• Follow up consistently with prospective clients to convert leads into definite business.
• Maintain an active sales pipeline and accurate records in hotel sales systems.
• Meet established sales and revenue goals.
• Communicate contracted group details clearly and transition booked business to the appropriate event or operations team.
• Participate in sales calls, networking events, trade shows, and community and industry events.
• Partner with the Director of Sales and sales team to identify new accounts and business opportunities.
• Maintain relationships with past clients and pursue opportunities for future business.
• Complete required sales reporting and administrative responsibilities.

Skills

Sales experience

Relationship-building

Negotiation

Communication

CRM systems

Organized

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

At Valor Hospitality, great hospitality starts with great people. Our teams are professional, welcoming, and focused on creating strong relationships with our guests, clients, and communities.

Learn more about Valor Hospitality and our hotels at valorhospitality.com.

POSITION PROFILE

The Group Sales Manager is responsible for generating and booking group business for the hotel, including meetings, conferences, social groups, and room blocks.

This is a sales-focused role responsible for identifying opportunities, responding to leads, building client relationships, negotiating terms, and contracting business. Once a group is contracted, the event is transitioned to the appropriate hotel team for planning and execution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prospect for and develop new group business.
• Respond to incoming group leads and qualify potential business.
• Sell and contract assigned group segment: SMERF Social, Military, Educational, Religious, and Fraternal
• Build relationships with new and existing clients to generate repeat and referral business.
• Prepare proposals, negotiate rates and terms, and issue contracts.
• Conduct hotel tours, site visits, and sales appointments
• Follow up consistently with prospective clients to convert leads into definite business.
• Maintain an active sales pipeline and accurate records in hotel sales systems.
• Meet established sales and revenue goals.
• Communicate contracted group details clearly and transition booked business to the appropriate event or operations team.
• Participate in sales calls, networking events, trade shows, and community and industry events.
• Partner with the Director of Sales and sales team to identify new accounts and business opportunities.
• Maintain relationships with past clients and pursue opportunities for future business.
• Complete required sales reporting and administrative responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous sales experience required; hotel, hospitality, group, or event sales experience preferred.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Comfortable prospecting, negotiating, presenting, and asking for the business.
• Organized and able to manage multiple leads and sales opportunities at different stages.
• Strong follow-up and attention to detail.
• Experience with hotel sales or CRM systems preferred.
• Understanding of hotel group sales, contracts, room blocks, meeting space, and food and beverage is a plus.

PHYSICAL & SCHEDULING REQUIREMENTS

This position may include hotel tours, outside sales calls, trade shows, networking events, and community or industry functions. Occasional evening or weekend availability may be required for sales events or client needs. Must be able to lift and carry up to 10 lbs. when transporting sales materials or trade show supplies.

BENEFITS

• Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and supplemental benefit options