Overview

About the Opportunity Join the pre-opening team at Virginia Guest House Hotel and Conference Center, a newly built, 214-room property featuring 25,000 square feet of event space, a full-service restaurant, Grab & Go Café, and a stunning rooftop bar. This role presents an exciting opportunity to contribute to the launch and success of a high-profile hotel and conference center in Charlottesville, VA. We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Sales Manager to help drive group and conference sales while supporting the Director of Sales & Marketing in achieving revenue goals and strategic business development. Your Role & Responsibilities Generate group, conference, and event sales revenue for the hotel, focusing on both local and national markets. Develop and execute sales strategies to maximize revenue across rooms, F&B, and conference services. Support the Director of Sales & Marketing in implementing sales and marketing initiatives to position the hotel as a premier destination for university events, conferences, reunions, and game-day experiences. Actively prospect, qualify, and secure new business while growing existing accounts through relationship building and targeted outreach. Stay ahead of industry trends and identify opportunities to capitalize on University-related demand drivers such as game days, reunions, and parents’ weekends. Partner with the conference planning team to ensure seamless event execution and guest satisfaction. Prepare creative sales presentations and proposals tailored to client needs. Conduct site inspections and organize familiarization trips to showcase the property’s offerings. Develop and maintain relationships with corporate, university, association, and social groups to establish the hotel as their preferred venue. Utilize Delphi (or other CRM systems) to manage client interactions, account tracking, and repeat business. Represent the hotel at trade shows, networking events, and industry conferences to drive brand awareness. Participate in community engagement and actively promote the hotel within the Charlottesville and University of Virginia communities. Assist in preparing the annual sales strategy plan and provide data-driven insights on market trends and business opportunities. Perform general office duties, support other departments, and work on special projects as assigned by the DOSM. #LI-CG1 Qualifications Minimum 2 years of experience as a Sales Manager in hospitality, conference centers, or related industry. Strong understanding of hotel sales and revenue management principles, with a focus on group and conference sales. Experience in Government, Education, and Healthcare markets is a plus. Self-motivated and proactive, with excellent relationship-building skills. Strong negotiation skills with the ability to close deals and exceed revenue targets. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Ability to analyze market trends and customer needs to develop strategic sales plans. Tech-savvy, proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); experience with Delphi/Salesforce CRM preferred. Willingness to travel (up to 10%) and flexibility to accommodate client schedules, including evenings and weekends when necessary. Compensation Range The compensation for this position is $75,000.00/Yr. - $80,000.00/Yr. based on qualifications and experience.