Sales Manager- Social, Association, Corporate, Travel

INNS OF AURORA, LLC. CORE VALUES:

While our employees' skill-sets vary greatly from position to position, our core set of values remain the same. As an Inns of Aurora, LLC employee, learning and exemplifying these characteristics is a key part to your success. All Inns of Aurora employees are expected to demonstrate the following characteristics as defined in the Inns of Aurora, LLC handbook:

• Courage

• Initiative

• Dependability

• Flexibility

• Integrity

• Judgment

• Respect for others

POSITION PURPOSE:

• The Social, Association, Corporate, Travel & Tourism Sales Manager converts demand into profitable, well‑executed business that supports seasonal pacing and property targets. This client‑facing role drives weekday and non‑wedding revenue across corporate events, social retreats, association meetings, and travel/tourism group business through lead generation, relationship building, proposal development, and contract conversion.

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES/FUNCTIONS/TASKS:

Sales strategy and business development:

• Achieve advanced results in room, banquet, and room‑rental revenue through direct solicitation, strategic prospecting, and persistent follow‑up.

• Develops tailored solutions for corporate, association, social, and travel/tourism clients.

• Constructs profitable proposals, packages, and upsell strategies that protect margin.

• Executes targeted outreach, FAMs, and campaign follow‑ups to fill weekday and off‑peak inventory.

• Manages RFP responses and negotiates terms for group business within corporate, social retreats, association, and travel & tourism markets

Client engagement and sales execution:

• Conduct consultative site visits and walkthroughs to assess fitness and scope.

• Closes deals, secures deposits, and enforces contract and cancellation policies.

• Serves as primary client contact through the sales cycle and hands off confirmed business cleanly.

• Leads proposals and client meetings with polished, professional presence

Pipeline, Forecasting, and revenue management:

• Maintains CRM with accurate forecasting inputs, activity logs, and conversion notes.

• Monitors booking pace, conversion rates, and short‑term risk; reports to Director of Sales.

• Balances revenue capture with margin protection and promotional ROI.

Channel and partnership development:

• Builds and nurtures DMC, tour operator, and corporate planner channels.

• Cultivates repeatable demand through association leaders and corporate bookers.

• Represents the property at select trade shows and hosts familiarization trips to convert partners.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in hospitality, business, marketing, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience accepted.

• 3–5 years of progressive sales experience in hospitality, meetings, or group sales with demonstrated success in weekday and non wedding segments.

• Proven ability to manage pipelines and close group or corporate accounts.

Skills and Competencies:

• Proficiency with CRM systems, basic PMS knowledge, and Excel for forecasting.

• Strong consultative selling, negotiation, and closing skills for mid to high value accounts.

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate long term client relationships that drive repeat business and referrals.

• Working knowledge of event production, handoff requirements, and onsite execution.

• Excellent written and verbal communication and polished presentation skills for client meetings and FAMs.

• Results driven, highly organized, detail oriented, and analytical; comfortable with frequent client travel and site visits.

Physical requirements & work environment:

• Onsite presence required; evening and weekend coverage for events as needed.

• Local and regional travel for client meetings, FAM tours, and industry events (approximately 5–15% annually).

• Flexible schedule with the ability to work extended hours during peak season and be available for escalations.

• Ability to walk event spaces, climb stairs, and stand for extended periods during site visits and events

• Occasional lifting or moving of up to 25 lbs; heavier items coordinated with setup teams.

• Fast paced hospitality environment with exposure to kitchens, event floors, and outdoor venues

We are proud to offer outstanding benefits to all of our employees.

Full-time employees, those working 30 hours per week or more on average, are offered competitive medical and dental benefits, as well as generous paid time off packages.

Full-time and part-time employees are eligible to participate in our 401K program and supplementary benefits.

We are proud to offer all of our employees a highly competitive employee discount at all of our lodging and dining properties.