Association Sales Manager/Lodging - Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge and Resort - Exempt

At Dollywood Parks & Resorts, we create memories worth repeating! We are seeking a Association Sales Manager who will embody the heart and soul of our mission of creating memories worth repeating while bringing families closer together while caring deeply about our brand.

We want to work alongside someone who acts as an extension of our mission, values, and culture. The ideal Association Sales Manager will be equal parts curious learner, innovator, administrator, detail driver, mentor, and motivator.

In this role, the right candidate will be accountable for the overall group sales success of the Association market that includes National, Regional and State accounts across the Dollywood Resorts campus, currently DreamMore Resort and Spa and HeartSong Lodge & Resort. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of four (4) years of experience selling to the Association market for upscale hotel & resort properties.

Additionally, the ideal candidate will be able to display and live out Lead with Love qualities, strongly rooted in the Dollywood Company culture, by being patient, kind, trusting, unselfish, truthful, forgiving, dedicated and accountable.

Summary of Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Prospect, negotiate and generate definite business working through the appropriate hospitality channels such as phone calls, sales system data base on past business/existing maintenance accounts, daily follow up with RFP requests through CVENT and direct internal channels, referrals, event follow up, and other means to find qualifying business for the resorts


• Attend hospitality related industry events and trade shows specifically to identify new potential business


• Plan and conduct site visits with clients that best represents and showcases our brand


• Actively participate with industry organizations such as ASAE, PCMA, MPI, RCMA, and TNSAE Engage with primary third-party representatives in local, regional and national client events to secure ideal business for the hotels


• Daily communication with key accounts, decision makers to identify future business for both resorts.


• Engage in relationship building with those accounts to ensure proper follow up on an ongoing basis.


• Respond to all inquiries in a timely matter and ensure the client receives the best customer care that


• exceeds their expectations


• Assist with the development on key action plans that align with our overall core values and sales goals


• Prepare and execute proposals, contracts and proper communication internally and externally for


• clear and concise details that best represents our core values and brand that exceeds expectations.


• Attend daily, weekly and monthly department meetings and participate in other resort core cultureevents


• Prepare weekly report to highlight sales activities and review with the team to ensure set goals are met


• Has a thorough understanding of resort facilities & amenities, Dollywood park offerings and ability to effectively communicate the entire brand experience to potential clients


• Ability to access and understand internal sales system (delphi.fdc), and Salesforce


• Maintain current knowledge of comp set, changes in the market/area to best position our resorts to the clients


• Ability to work in a team environment, share best practices, train, encourage and support our hosts.


• Communicate effectively with our conference service, food & beverage, event technology, and operations departments to ensure the success of each group booked

Management reserves the right to change and/or add to these duties at any time

Education and Experience Required

• Minimum four (4) years of upscale hotel and resort hospitality sales, association market preferred


• but not required


• College degree preferred but not required


• Working knowledge of Opera 20x (PMS) and ProfitSword helpful


• Good working knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, and CRM system preferred


• Must successfully pass a background check and drug test.If this role will include any driving responsibilities, please include the following bullet


• Ability to safely operate company vehicles according to company policy. Must have valid driver’s license, proof of auto liability insurance and acceptable motor vehicle driving record.


• Offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of background screening which includes criminal history and motor vehicle record check 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Able to make a friendly impression when speaking to or corresponding with guests, vendors, and other employees


• Must be self-motivated and disciplined


• Must be able to prioritize and complete work assignments on a timely basis


• Must maintain strict confidentiality and judgment regarding privileged information


• Must have professional appearance with good personal hygiene


• Must be productive in a fast-paced environment


• Must maintain dependable work attendance and flexibility with assigned work schedules including any required overtime, evenings, weekends and holidays


• Must be sensitive to the needs of our Guests and feel empowered to act to meet their needs within company guidelines


• Must be able to utilize effective communication, problem solving, conflict management and interpersonal skills


• Must be able to communicate effectively using approved communication methods 


• Able to collaborate with cross-functional teams to plan, execute, and deliver projects ahead of schedule, fostering open communication and mutual support to achieve shared goals


• Able to comprehend instructions and retain information


• Able to perform duties consistent with creating a safe and secure environment for hosts and guests


• Able to be flexible to handle frequent changes in priorities


• Must possess strong communication, listening, facilitation and problem-solving skills, computer skills and financial acumen


• Ability to analyze, forecast data, and make judgments to ensure proper business is booked

Physical Requirements | Environmental Conditions

• Lifting and Carrying : Position may require occasional to frequent lifting of up to 50 lbs utilizing company’s safety guidelines for safe lifting


• Mobility : Position may require intermittent to prolonged sitting, standing and/or walking for duration of shift, up to 13 hours


• Repetitive Movements : This position may require performing repetitive movements and tasks throughout the shift, including repeated use of hands, arms or other body parts as part of typical job functions


• Environmental Conditions : This position requires the ability to perform work tasks in varying weather conditions to include extreme cold and heat


• Cognitive and Sensory Requirements : This position requires strong cognitive skills, including the ability to think critically, solve problems, process and retain information, have attention to detail and communicate effectively using approved communication methods

The Dollywood Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. The Dollywood Company drives a welcoming culture where ideas and decisions from all people support our efforts to be relevant in an ever-changing world.