Careers

Position Overview

The Group Sales Manager is responsible for generating and booking group business that drives overnight stays and economic impact throughout Thurston County. This role proactively markets the destination to meeting planners, sports organizations, and group travel buyers while serving as a trusted connector between clients and local tourism partners.

Reporting to the CEO, the Group Sales Manager focuses on lead generation, RFP management, partner coordination, and relationship-driven sales, ensuring Experience Olympia & Beyond is positioned as a responsive, collaborative, and competitive destination for group travel.

Success in this role is measured by booked room nights, lead conversion, and strong community relationships.

Core Responsibilities

Group Sales & Business Development

• Develop and execute a group sales plan aligned with the EOB Annual Business & Marketing Plan and organizational priorities.
• Proactively generate leads and pursue group business across meetings, sports, SMERF, and group travel markets.
• Manage all group sales inquiries and RFPs, ensuring timely responses, competitive proposals, and strong partner alignment.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for planners throughout the sales process, from initial inquiry through booking.
• Coordinate and host site visits and familiarization tours that showcase Thurston County's venues, accommodations, and experiences.
• Attend tradeshows, sales missions, and industry events to promote Thurston County as a group travel destination.
• Utilize the CRM system to track leads, bookings, and outcomes, producing reporting that demonstrates performance and economic impact.
• Maintain a qualified buyer database and lead distribution process that supports local partners.
• Lead the Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission with a focus on booking sports-related group business.
• Support all aspects of group sales efforts in coordination with the Film Commission and Wedding Collaborative, and others, as applicable.

Community Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local hotels, venues, attractions, restaurants, and tourism partners.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for Experience Olympia & Beyond through regular site visits, check-ins, and in-person engagement.
• Collaborate with team to ensure Sports Facility Guides and Meeting Planner Guides are up to date and informative.
• Educate partners on group sales opportunities, RFP processes, and market trends to increase participation and readiness.
• Support partner participation in EOB programs related to group sales and sponsorships, as assigned.
• Lead outbound communication with industry contacts and local stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and trust.
• Maintain working knowledge of local, community and industry trends and highlights.

Internal Collaboration & Reporting

• Collaborate closely with the marketing team to align group sales efforts with destination marketing plan.
• Track, report, and share organization sales performance updates, market insights, and Thurston County lodging performance with internal leadership and stakeholders.
• Support board and stakeholder presentations related to group sales results and opportunities.
• Contribute to a collaborative, solutions-oriented team culture at Experience Olympia & Beyond.

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time. EO&B believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of the organization.

What Success Looks Like

• Increased group leads, bookings, and room nights.
• Strong conversion rates and positive planner experiences.
• High partner engagement in group sales opportunities.
• Clear, data-driven reporting of group sales performance.
• A strong reputation for Experience Olympia & Beyond as a proactive, partner-focused sales organization.

Skills Desired

• Sales Communication - Clearly articulates value propositions and tailors messaging to meet client and partner needs.
• Relationship-Based Selling - Builds trust-based relationships that lead to long-term partnerships and repeat business.
• Negotiation & Closing - Confidently navigates objections, aligns stakeholder interests, and moves opportunities toward commitment.
• Initiative - Proactively seeks opportunities, takes ownership of outcomes, and moves projects forward without waiting for direction.
• Accountability - Takes responsibility for performance, follow-through, and results.
• Time Management - Effectively prioritizes tasks and manages deadlines across multiple sales efforts.
• Critical Thinking - Evaluates challenges, identifies solutions, and applies sound judgment in decision-making.
• Good Listener - Actively listens to planners, partners, and stakeholders to understand needs and build trust.
• Attention to Detail - Ensures accuracy and professionalism in proposals, communications, reporting, and follow-up.

Work Environment & Schedule

Experience Olympia & Beyond offers a dynamic, fast-paced, and flexible work environment for professionals who enjoy being out in the community and representing a destination. This role includes occasional evenings, weekends, and travel in support of group sales efforts, site visits, events, and tradeshows. We value flexibility and support work-life balance through adaptable scheduling while recognizing that destination sales happen beyond a traditional 9-5.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand for long periods of time (i.e. representing Experience Olympia & Beyond at conferences, tradeshows and/or receptions), sit, talk, hear and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision requirements due to computer work. The employee will occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. The employee should be able to speak clearly and hear well when communicating over the phone and in-person. The individual must be able to travel independently to domestic and/or international destinations via commercial airlines.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• General sales experience, with demonstrated ability to prospect, build relationships, and close business in a results-driven environment.
• Proven ability to generate leads, respond to inquiries, and manage opportunities through a sales pipeline.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the organization professionally and persuasively.
• Experience using CRM systems to manage leads, track performance, and report outcomes.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in group sales, destination sales, hospitality sales, tourism, or a related field.
• Experience working with a destination marketing organization (DMO), convention & visitors bureau (CVB), or tourism-related organization.
• Familiarity with meetings, sports, SMERF, or group travel markets.
• Experience attending and working tradeshows, site visits, and sales missions.
• Knowledge of Thurston County or similar regional destinations.
• Ability to analyze sales data and translate insights into actionable strategies.

Benefits

• This position reports to the CEO.
• This position is eligible for annual performance incentives and is measurable against established KPls for the position.
• Benefits include medical and dental insurance, vision coverage; 401K-matching at 5% with 5% contribution; short term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid holidays, sick leave, and 3 weeks of accrued paid vacation. Additional benefits are listed in the employee handbook.

To Apply

Please email your resume and cover letter to Shauna Stewart, Interim CEO at shaunas@experienceolympia.com with a cc to Kelly Campbell, Vice President of Finance & Administration at kelly@experienceolympia.com.

EOB provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or ethnicity. In addition to federal law requirements, EOB complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.