Sr. Sales Manager

Are you passionate about the University of Florida and looking for an opportunity to build on the relationships youve developed across campus The Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville is seeking a collaborative relationship-driven Senior Sales Manager to serve as the bridge between the University and Gainesvilles premier conference hotel.

If you understand the University culture know how departments operate enjoy building relationships and want to see your work directly impact the success of the University community this is an exciting opportunity to transition your UF experience into hospitality sales and business development.

As the Senior Sales Manager you will cultivate and strengthen strategic partnerships throughout the University of Florida while generating group lodging meeting conference catering and event business for the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville.

This position is ideal for someone who has established relationships with UF colleges departments research institutes athletics alumni organizations student groups and administrative offices and enjoys connecting people with solutions. Your knowledge of campus University events and internal processes will help position the Hilton as the preferred destination for meetings conferences recruiting visits alumni events athletic programs and special events.

In addition to business development youll play an important role in business intelligence sales strategy marketing initiatives and sales systems management to help identify new revenue opportunities and support the hotels continued growth.

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville and the University community.

• Develop and maintain relationships with faculty staff administrators event planners researchers athletics personnel alumni organizations and affiliated partners.

• Identify opportunities for conferences meetings lodging catering recruiting visits symposiums training programs and special events.

• Represent the hotel at University functions networking events campus meetings and community events.

• Help position the Hilton as the Universitys preferred hospitality and conference destination.

• Proactively solicit new business while strengthening existing University partnerships.

• Manage a portfolio of assigned accounts with an emphasis on long-term relationships and repeat business.

• Collaborate with the Director of Sales & Marketing and Director of Catering to identify and secure new opportunities.

• Respond promptly to inquiries and provide exceptional customer service throughout the sales process.

• Coordinate with hotel operations to ensure successful event execution.

• Manage and maintain (Amadeus Advanced) and other sales systems.

• Ensure sales data is accurate and supports forecasting and reporting.

• Assist with month-end reporting and revenue analysis.

• Analyze University event trends booking patterns and market opportunities.

• Partner with Revenue Management to identify high-value business segments and maximize revenue opportunities.

• Assist with marketing initiatives focused on the University community.

• Help develop social media and digital marketing campaigns highlighting campus partnerships and events.

• Monitor University calendars and emerging opportunities to proactively generate business.

• Collaborate with Hilton corporate marketing and University partners to strengthen brand awareness.

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Has experience working within the University of Florida or possesses extensive knowledge of the University community.

• Enjoys networking and building meaningful professional relationships.

• Is organized analytical and comfortable using technology and data to make informed decisions.

• Has excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Thrives in a collaborative fast-paced environment.

• Is passionate about delivering exceptional customer service.

• Can identify opportunities solve problems and think strategically.

Sales event planning hospitality higher education administration alumni relations athletics conference services communications development or University program management experience are all valuable backgrounds for this role.

Working at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville gives you the opportunity to remain connected to the University community while joining an award-winning hospitality team. Youll work with colleagues who value collaboration innovation and relationship-building while helping support the conferences research athletics alumni events and programs that make UF one of the nations leading universities.

If youre ready to take your University experience in a new direction and help create memorable experiences for the Gator community wed love to meet you.