Area Sales Manager - SMERF

Area Sales Manager (SMERF) - Mooresville, NC

Join Maya Hotels and Take the Next Step in Your Career!

Are you a driven, relationship-focused sales professional who loves bringing groups together? Maya Hotels is seeking an Area Sales Manager – SMERF to lead group sales for three of our Mooresville, NC hotels: Aloft Mooresville, Candlewood Suites Mooresville, and Tru by Hilton Mooresville Lake Norman.

In this role, you will own the SMERF market (Social, Military, Educational, Religious and Fraternal) across all three properties. You will build lasting partnerships with sports teams, wedding parties, family reunions, churches, schools, military groups and community organizations throughout the Lake Norman area. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy selling multiple brands at once, this is the opportunity for you!

Why Join Maya Hotels?

Maya Hotels is a leading name in the hospitality industry, dedicated to providing an exceptional guest experience. We are proud to represent multiple outstanding brands, including Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites, avid Hotel, Tru, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn and Aloft. Our commitment to excellence, paired with our friendly and welcoming atmosphere, sets us apart in the market.

As Area Sales Manager, you will represent three distinct brands, each serving a different type of group:

• Aloft Mooresville – a modern, lively hotel ideal for weddings, social events and younger leisure groups.
• Candlewood Suites Mooresville – an extended-stay hotel suited to traveling teams, military personnel, relocations and long-term group stays.
• Tru by Hilton Mooresville Lake Norman – a vibrant, value-focused hotel popular with sports teams, youth groups and family travel.

Learn more about us at www.mayahotels.com.

What We Offer

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 100% Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D, STD, Accident and Critical Illness Insurance
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) with Employer Contribution
• Employee Perks: Employee Referral Program, hotel discounts, and more!
• Work-Life Balance: Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses
• Career growth opportunities within the Maya Hotels family
• A supportive and friendly work environment
• The chance to sell three well-respected brands from one role

Job Description:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• SMERF Sales Strategy: Develop and execute a combined sales plan for all three Mooresville hotels that targets social, military, educational, religious and fraternal groups. Align each plan with the goals of each property and brand.
• Business Development & Prospecting: Identify, prospect and secure new group business, including youth and adult sports tournaments, weddings, family reunions, church and faith-based groups, school and university travel, military groups, and fraternal or civic organizations. Manage the full sales cycle from lead generation through contract negotiation and closing.
• Multi-Property Group Placement: Match each group to the best-fit hotel based on group size, length of stay, budget and needs. Use the portfolio to keep business within Maya Hotels when one property is sold out.
• Community & Local Market Presence: Build relationships with Lake Norman–area sports complexes, wedding venues, churches, schools, event planners, visitor bureaus and the local chamber. Represent the hotels at community events, tournaments and trade shows.
• Client Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with group leaders, coaches, planners and organization contacts. Provide personalized service and respond to concerns promptly and professionally to drive repeat bookings.
• Revenue Optimization: Achieve and exceed revenue targets for each property by selling room blocks and available meeting space. Work with property leadership on group pricing, room block management and attrition to maximize profitability.
• Market Analysis: Monitor SMERF trends, local event calendars and competing hotels to uncover new group opportunities.
• Event Coordination: Partner with each hotel's operations team to ensure seamless arrivals, accurate rooming lists and a positive group experience from booking to check-out.
• Reporting & Records: Maintain accurate account, lead and booking records in the CRM and provide regular sales activity reports for all three properties.

Education, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience: 2+ years of hotel sales experience preferred, with a focus on SMERF, group or leisure sales. Multi-property or cluster sales experience is a plus. Experience with Marriott, Hilton and/or IHG brands is preferred but not required.
• Sales Skills: Proven ability to build a sales plan, manage a pipeline across multiple properties, negotiate group contracts and close deals.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to speak professionally, confidently and persuasively with a wide range of groups.
• Tech-Savvy: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google products and CRM systems. Familiarity with brand sales systems is a plus.
• Detail-Oriented & Organized: Ability to manage three properties' calendars, room blocks and deadlines while keeping accurate records.
• Team Player: Collaborative mindset with the ability to work closely with General Managers and operations teams at each hotel.
• Self-Motivated & Driven: Proactive and resourceful, with strong negotiation and problem-solving abilities.
• Availability: Flexibility to occasionally work evenings and weekends for site tours, tournaments and community events.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
• Frequent use of hands for typing, writing, and handling office equipment.
• Occasionally lifting of items up to 20lbs.
• Ability to travel for sales, calls, client meetings, and industry events as needed.
• Comfortable working in both office and on-site hotel environments.

Ready to Join the Team?

Apply today by submitting your resume detailing your relevant experience to show us why you're the perfect fit for Maya Hotels. We look forward to welcoming you to the Maya Hotels Family!

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform any others job related duties assigned by their supervisor.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Qualified individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job should contact the Human Resources department.