SALES - Director, Sales & Conference Services

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Director of Group Sales and Conference Services

DEPARTMENT: Conference Group Sales

REPORTS TO: Director of Lodging & Sales

General Description

Wintergreen Resort is an 11,000-acre, four-season resort located in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville, Va. This beautiful central Virginia destination is the ultimate mountain vacation and conference meeting destination: condominium-style and private home accommodations; 45 holes of championship golf; snow skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing; an award-winning racquet sports program; full-service, destination spa; 40,000 square feet of meeting and event space; and multiple dining options. Wintergreen offers an outstanding conference & meeting experience to our clients, and this is your opportunity to join a successful sales team and help create those memorable experiences.

Candidates for consideration should have relevant experience working with similar properties and clients from the VA and surrounding drive markets; and possess leadership skills to oversee 2 Group Sales Managers and 2 Conference Services Managers. This position will have individual revenue booking goals for a market segment, along with responsibility for achieving team goals. We are looking for someone who is excited to seek new groups and expanded market segments and is engaged in the process of sharing the benefits of hosting a gathering at our mountain resort.

The ideal candidate is an overall team player among peer resort managers, unafraid to test new ideas, speak to new clients, and looks for ways make it better than it was before. This role will involve the ability to acquire and maintain a thorough knowledge and understanding of Wintergreen Resort amenities and operational areas available to groups, contributing to group revenue growth. Our greatest opportunity for growing group business is focused on spring, summer, and fall visitation.

Key Responsibilities

• Secure group lodging business utilizing meeting space, banquet services, and resort recreational activities to meet and exceed resort revenue goals.
• Lead group business review process as needed with Group Sales Managers and negotiate to effectively contract business for the Resort.
• Thoughtfully manage the turnover process for contracted groups from Group Sales Manager to assigned Conference Services Manager.
• Effectively distribute groups to Conference Services Managers respective to overall volume and scheduling needs.
• Assist Conference Services Managers with operational challenges to develop positive solutions.
• Represent the Resort in a professional manner to both established and new potential clients by actively managing existing accounts and prospecting on a regular basis.
• Join and participate in local community events, and industry related organizations relevant to producing increased group business.
• Conduct site tours and presentations to prospective clients.
• Work effectively and maintain positive relationships with Food and Beverage, Rooms, and Recreation, Departments to enhance client experience and increase revenue generation.
• Lead and influence Group Sales Managers outbound sales efforts to increase bookings and revenues.
• Create compelling proposals and communication to prospective groups.
  
  

Special Job Requirements/Qualifications

• Relevant recent experience working with similar properties and client contacts in VA and the surrounding drive market, preferably with knowledge of the Virginia State Association and Virginia corporate meetings market.
• Background in selling full-service property with lodging, F&B, Meeting Rooms, and A/V.
• Thorough knowledge of customer service-oriented sales techniques.
• Track record of meeting or exceeding sales goals.
• Professional, clear, and concise written and verbal communication skills.
• Creative thinker with the ability to sell concepts and ideas externally to clients, and internally to resort management, peers, and employees.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and follow –up skills.
• Knowledge of computers and ability to adapt and utilize integrated technology to manage accounts and bookings.
• General knowledge of financial reports, revenue, and expense budgets.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive hospitality sales experience.
• Experience leading and organizing small sales and services teams.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• On-site position, schedule is generally Monday – Friday. Occasional evenings and weekends based on in-house groups and special events.
• Working environment includes sitting, standing, climbing stairs, and walking throughout the mountain property. May be called on to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Significant part of day working with computers and utilizing sales and catering software, and property management software.
  
  

REV: 2024.05