Group Sales Manager

Ocean House CollectionGroup Sales Manager A Collection Unlike Any OtherThe Ocean House Collections includes 3 luxury properties.  The Ocean House is a Forbes 5-Star property featuring 49 luxury guest rooms, 20 signature suites.  The Cottage Collection includes 10 privately owned vacation homes.  The Ocean & Harvest Spa is a 12,000 square foot Forbes Travel Guide 5 Star rated full-service health wellness spa. Over 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Up to 8 unique dining options during summer season including Coast, a Forbes Travel Guide 5 Star rated fine dining experience. The Weekapaug Inn offers quintessentially New England accommodations that effortlessly combine casual comfort and luxurious furnishings. The Inn features 31 unique guest rooms and 4 two-bedroom signature suites. Farm-to-table dining utilizes the finest and freshest locally sourced ingredients, and inspired amenities and resort activities are designed to create extraordinary guest experiences.   The Watch Hill Inn established in 1845, Watch Hill Inn carries with it a unique history marked by fame, natural disasters and, among all, resilience. Chic, minimalist decor intertwines with cutting edge technology like complimentary Apple TV, Netflix and an in-room iPad program that allows guests to order food and services to their door with the touch of a button.  The Inn features 21 suite style accommodations with unrestricted access to dining, amenities, and resort activities at both Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn. Scope of PositionThe Group Sales Manager will prospect, manage and develop key accounts for a sales territory structured by territories and/or vertical markets. They will work closely with partnerships in prospecting and securing group business. The position is accountable for proactively soliciting and handling sales opportunities. Ensures business is turned over properly and in a timely fashion for proper service delivery. Conducts day-to-day activities related to sales with a focus on building long-term, value-based customer relationships that enable achievement of sales objectives. Achieves personal sales goals.  Schedule RequirementsThe operation is 24 hours a day 7 days a week, inclusive of all holidays.  While the company will make every attempt to create a work and life balance, all exempt team members may be required to work extended shifts and additional days based on business demands.  Working more than eight hours per day and more than five consecutive days as needed is an essential job function for all exempt roles.  Travel may be required and may include some overnight stays.  All exempt team members should be responsible for scheduling their time off.  The busiest of days during the season (Memorial Day through Columbus Day) are the weekend days from Friday through Sunday and on holiday weekends that are celebrated on Mondays, this can include Mondays.  All exempt staff must be aware and able to work all weekends; requesting time off for a holiday weekend may not and will likely not be granted.  The more flexible you are the more you can learn, grow, earn. Key RelationshipsInternal:  This position will report directly to The Group Director of Sales and MarketingExternal:  Manages and develops relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.  Key ResponsibilitiesReasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Proactively builds and strengthens relationships with existing and new customers to enable future bookings. Activities could include sales calls, entertainment, FAM trips, trade shows, etc.Develops relationships within community to strengthen and expand customer base for sales opportunities.Provides accurate, complete and effective turnover to Event Management.Researches and develops new leads for property business.Participates in sales calls with members of sales team to acquire new business and/or close on business.Upsells each business opportunity to maximize revenue potential.Executes and supports the operational aspects of business booked (e.g., generating proposal, writing contract, customer correspondence).Responding to inquiries and requests for proposals (RFP’s)Preparing proposals and contracts for group bookingsIdentifies new business to achieve personal and location revenue goals.Understands the overall market - competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand etc. and knows how to sell against them.Closes the best opportunities for the location based on market conditions and location needs.Gains understanding of the location’s primary target customer and service expectations; serves the customer by understanding their business, business issues and concerns, to offer better business solutions.Responsible for practicing, managing, and promoting the Company’s Statement of Purpose, Service Excellence Pillars, and Declarations so that it becomes an intricate part of the everyday operation.Represent the Company with a positive attitude and professional presentation.Follow sustainability guidelines and practices related to the Company’s sustainability programs.Carry out any other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope, and purpose of this job description and which are commensurate with the role.  Required Job Knowledge, Skills, Experience, and EducationCollege degree required.Minimum of 3 years luxury sales experience and 2 years of supervisory experience required.Prior luxury hotel or hospitality experience is required.Knowledge of the travel industry, current market trends and economic factors.Extensive skill in development and delivery of sales presentations.Ability to access, understand and accurately input information using a moderately complex computer system.Ability to effectively deal with internal and external customers and staff, some of whom will require high levels of patience, tact and diplomacy to diffuse anger, collect accurate information and resolve conflicts.Ability to stand and move throughout the hotel property and continuously perform essential job functions.Travel domestically to attend industry-related trade shows is required.Fluency in both written and oral English is required.Strong focus on numbers/analytic ability.Advanced verbal and written communication skills in English and the ability to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse operation.Ability to perform job functions with attention to detail, speed, and accuracy under pressure of tense/confrontational situations.Uphold the Company standards, policies, and procedures.Prioritize and organize tasks and work areaAbility to remain calm and resolve problems using good judgement as interpreted by the managementFollow directionsWork cohesively with co-workers as part of a teamMaintain confidentiality of guest/employee information and pertinent hotel data.