Area Group Sales Manager

The Role

As the Complex Group Sales Manager, you will be responsible for driving group and meetings business across Drift Nashville and Bode Nashville, with a focus on growing revenue, developing new accounts, strengthening existing relationships, and positioning both properties as go-to destinations for groups, meetings, retreats, celebrations and experiences in Nashville.

You'll own the sales process from prospecting through contract and turnover, while working closely with Revenue Management, Operations, Events, Food & Beverage and Marketing to ensure the business we sell is both profitable and exceptionally executed.

Most importantly, you'll be the face of these two hotels in the Nashville market.

What You'll Do

Drive Group Revenue

• Develop and execute a proactive group sales strategy for both Drift Nashville and Bode Nashville.
• Identify, prospect, qualify and close new group business across corporate, meetings, incentives, entertainment, production, social, wedding, association, sports and other relevant segments.
• Generate business through a healthy mix of inbound leads, outbound prospecting, networking, referrals, partnerships, industry events and self-generated opportunities.
• Own an active sales pipeline and consistently work toward individual and property revenue goals.
• Conduct sales calls, client appointments, site inspections, presentations, entertainment and community networking opportunities.
• Build creative proposals and packages that showcase the unique strengths of each property.
• Understand when to sell Drift, when to sell Bode, and when the best answer is to sell both.
• Negotiate rates, terms, concessions, contracts and value-adds in a way that maximizes total hotel revenue while creating a compelling client experience.
• Identify opportunities to drive guestroom, meeting space, food & beverage and ancillary revenue.
• Stay informed on Nashville's competitive landscape, citywide calendar, development, entertainment scene, major events and market trends.

Own the Client Relationship

• Build genuine, long-term relationships with meeting planners, corporate decision-makers, DMCs, third-party planners, production companies, agencies, entertainment professionals, wedding professionals, local businesses and community leaders.
• Become a trusted resource for clients looking for a great Nashville experience—not simply another hotel room block.
• Serve as a confident and enthusiastic brand ambassador for both properties.
• Create memorable site visits and sales experiences that make clients excited to bring their people to Nashville.
• Maintain consistent communication throughout the sales cycle and ensure expectations are clear from first inquiry through final turnover.
• Develop repeat and referral business by delivering an exceptional level of personal service.

Be Deeply Connected to Nashville

This is a Nashville-based role, and being part of the local community is a major part of the job.

• Build and maintain a strong network of Nashville business, hospitality, entertainment, tourism and community relationships.
• Be visible at relevant industry events, networking functions, conferences, mixers, fundraisers, concerts and community gatherings.
• Develop relationships with Nashville CVB, DMCs, event professionals, corporate partners, local businesses, venues and other strategic partners.
• Keep a pulse on what's happening in Nashville and proactively identify how those happenings can translate into business for our hotels.
• Bring new ideas, new connections and new opportunities to the table.
• Represent Drift and Bode with warmth, confidence, authenticity and a genuine love for the city.

Collaborate + Make Things Happen

• Partner closely with the Director of Sales, Revenue Management to understand demand, compression, pricing and displacement opportunities.
• Collaborate with Events, Operations and Food & Beverage to ensure a seamless transition from sale to execution.
• Work closely with Marketing to support campaigns, promotions, partnerships and sales initiatives.
• Participate in weekly sales meetings, forecasting, pipeline reviews and strategy sessions.
• Maintain accurate account, contact, activity, opportunity and forecasting information within the hotel's sales/CRM systems.
• Prepare contracts, proposals, correspondence and other sales documentation accurately and efficiently.
• Ensure all confirmed business is properly communicated and turned over to the appropriate operational teams.
• Follow up after events to generate repeat business, referrals and long-term relationships.

What We're Looking for

Required

• Minimum 3 years of hotel sales experience, with demonstrated experience in group, meetings, catering or event sales.
• Proven ability to prospect, sell, negotiate and close group business.
• Strong understanding of the hotel group sales process, including lead qualification, proposals, contracting, room blocks, site inspections, turnover and account management.
• Existing relationships within the Nashville hospitality, corporate, entertainment, events or meetings community strongly preferred.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Highly organized with exceptional follow-through and attention to detail.
• Comfortable managing multiple opportunities and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of hotel operations and the relationship between sales, revenue, events, food & beverage and operations.
• Proficiency with Google Suite and hotel sales/CRM systems
• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings, weekends and holidays for client entertainment, networking and property events.
• Must be based in Nashville or willing to relocate to Nashville.

The Person We're Looking for

More than anything, we're looking for the right person.

You might be a great fit if you are

• A connector. You know people, and more importantly, people know you.
• A hunter. You aren't afraid to make the call, send the email, knock on the door or create an opportunity from scratch.
• A relationship builder. You understand that great sales are built on trust, not transactions.
• A Nashville insider. You know the neighborhoods, the businesses, the venues, the planners, the people and what's happening next.
• Naturally curious. You're always looking for what's new, what's next and who we should know.
• Positive and energetic. You bring good energy into every room and genuinely enjoy hospitality.
• Commercially minded. You understand that being creative and being profitable can—and should—go hand in hand.
• A storyteller. You can make a client fall in love with a hotel because you know how to sell the experience, not just the room.
• Collaborative. You understand that the sale doesn't end when the contract is signed.
• Accountable. You own your business, your pipeline, your commitments and your results.
• Entrepreneurial. You're comfortable figuring things out, trying something new and taking initiative without waiting to be asked.
• A hospitality person. You genuinely care about people and believe the best sales relationships are built by creating great experiences.

Why Drift + Bode?

We're building something special.

Drift is part of a growing independent hospitality company that believes hotels should feel like an extension of the neighborhood—not an island within it. Bode brings its own energy to that same idea, creating social spaces where travelers and locals naturally come together.

• You'll have the opportunity to make a real impact, work with a passionate team, build something in a dynamic market, and have a whole lot of fun doing it.
• If you're an experienced hotel sales professional who is well connected, relentlessly positive, commercially savvy and excited by the idea of owning the Nashville group market, we want to hear from you.
• Come help us make some noise in Nashville.

Salary Range

$90,000–$95,000 annually