Sales Manager

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career growth

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holiday compensation

Associate discounts and resort perks

Education assistance

Job summary

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Virginia is seeking a Sales Manager to lead group sales efforts, target SMERF segments, and grow revenue for our new resort. You will solicit, develop, and maintain group accounts across assigned segments, and pursue government opportunities using eVA.

Join a results-driven team focused on building strong relationships with meeting planners, associations, schools, and military groups.

Qualifications

• Experience in hotel, resort, or convention center sales.
• Proven ability to develop and close group business.
• Strong prospecting, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple accounts and deadlines.
• Knowledge of eVA procurement platform is a plus.
• Experience with SMERF segments and government accounts preferred.

Responsibilities

• Solicit, develop, and maintain group accounts within assigned market segments.
• Generate new business through networking, referrals, site visits, and community involvement.
• Monitor eVA for opportunities and pursue government opportunities.
• Develop business within the SMERF market and pre-opening initiatives.
• Build relationships with meeting planners, associations, schools, military groups, and religious organizations.
• Respond to leads, prepare proposals, negotiate agreements, conduct property tours, and guide customers through the sales process.
• Maintain accurate account information, sales activities, production reports, and forecasts in Delphi.
• Collaborate with Revenue Management, Convention Services, and resort leadership.
• Represent Kalahari at trade shows, industry events, and community activities.

Skills

Group sales experience

Hospitality sales

Prospecting & networking

Negotiation skills

Relationship building

Delphi CRM familiarity

Tools

Delphi CRM

Job description

At Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, we don’t just create vacations—we craft unforgettable experiences. Home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterparks, our African-inspired resorts offer world-class dining, thrilling entertainment, and cutting-edge convention centers that redefine hospitality.

But we’re more than a resort. As a family-owned company, our Promise is simple: Lead with Love. This means caring deeply for our guests, associates, and communities—treating people like family, giving back generously, and creating spaces where everyone feels valued. Through our partnership with charity: water, we’re also committed to bringing clean water to one million people in Africa.

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is seeking a Sales Manager for our new Virginia resort. In this role, you’ll solicit, develop, and maintain group accounts within assigned market segments through direct sales efforts while helping the resort achieve and exceed its revenue goal

s.As part of your deployment, you’ll pursue SMERF business—including social, military, educational, religious, and fraternal groups—as well as government opportunities. You’ll be expected to understand eVA, Virginia’s electronic procurement system, and use it as an active prospecting tool to identify and pursue potential business.

You’ll join a talented, results-driven team focused on building strong customer relationships and establishing Kalahari Virginia as a premier meetings and group destination throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

Key Responsibilities

• Solicit, develop, and maintain group accounts within assigned market segm
• entsGenerate new business through prospecting, networking, referrals, site visits, and community involvement
• Monitor eVA for relevant opportunities and proactively prospect government agencies and organizations identified through the platform
• Develop business within the SMERF market as part of the position’s assigned deployment
• Build lasting relationships with meeting planners, government contacts, associations, schools, military groups, religious organizations, and other group leaders
• Respond to leads, prepare proposals, negotiate agreements, conduct property tours, and guide customers through the sales process
• Maintain accurate account information, sales activities, production reports, and forecasts in Delphi or a similar CRM
• Partner with Revenue Management, Convention Services, and resort leadership to maximize opportunities and ensure a seamless customer expericence.
• Represent Kalahari at trade shows, industry events, networking functions, and community activities

What We’re Looking For

• Previous hotel, resort, convention center, hospitality, or related sales experience
• Working knowledge of eVA and the ability to identify and prospect appropriate opportunities through the platform
• Demonstrated success developing relationships and generating new business
• Strong prospecting, presentation, negotiation, organization, and follow-up skills
• The ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative sales team
• The ability to manage multiple accounts, market segments, priorities, and deadlines
• Experience with group sales, SMERF business, government accounts, Delphi, or a pre-opening environment is preferred

A Sampling of Our Benfits

Our associates enjoy a wide range of benefits and opportunities, including

• Career growth and promotion from within
• Competitive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holiday compensation
• Associate discounts and resort perks
• Education assistance

Be Part of Something Extraordinary

Named among Forbes’ America’s Best Midsize Employers and recognized by USA TODAY as the #1 Best Indoor Water Park, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions continues to grow while remaining committed to our associates, guests, and communities.

Join our Virginia opening team and help introduce an extraordinary new resort and convention destination to the Mid-Atlantic.

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is an Equal Opportunity Employer.