Group Business Development Representative

Group Business Development Representative

Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is seeking a motivated and results-driven Group Business Development Representative to generate new high-value group business across the Southeast. This is a focused, outbound new business development role: the mission is to identify, pursue, and close multi-day retreat, lodging, and experiential group bookings from organizations that have not yet worked with NOC.

Target segments include executive and leadership retreats, corporate team-building programs, C-suite and board offsites, nonprofit gatherings, association and professional group events, and incentive travel groups. This position works closely alongside the Group Sales Manager and sits within the broader Group Sales team. While Group Sales team and coordinators will manage existing relationships, annual rebooking, and inbound group inquiries, the Group Business Development Representative is focused entirely on building new ones.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and execute a consistent outbound prospecting strategy targeting corporate, nonprofit, association, and incentive group buyers across Southeast markets.
• Identify the right decision-makers at target organizations-HR and People leaders, executive assistants, operations directors, event planners, association staff and initiate contact through cold outreach, referrals, networking, and digital channels.
• Maintain a healthy, well-documented pipeline of qualified new business opportunities in CRM with disciplined follow-up and conversion tracking.
• Develop customized proposals that align with each prospect's goals, combining NOC's multi-day lodging, outdoor adventure programming, dining, and facilitated group experiences into a compelling package.
• Lead the sales process from first outreach through contract execution, partnering with the Group Sales Manager on complex or high-value negotiations.
• Meet or exceed individual new revenue and new account acquisition targets on a monthly and quarterly basis.
• Identify and surface new vertical opportunities and untapped market segments that align with NOC's group offering.

• Attend and actively work trade shows, networking events, expos, and industry gatherings to generate new leads and build NOC's presence in the premium group market.
• Cultivate relationships with corporate event planners, incentive travel agencies (DMCs/TMCs), nonprofit operations staff, association meeting planners, and other group influencers.
• Build a referral network that consistently surfaces new group opportunities from partners and past contacts.
• Stay current on competitor offerings, pricing, and positioning to sharpen NOC's pitch in the market.

• Work closely with the Group Sales Manager and Marketing and Sales Director to ensure proposals are accurate, operationally sound, and aligned with NOC's capacity and current packages.
• Coordinate a clean post-sale handoff to Custom Group Sales Representatives, Reservations, and Operations teams, setting clear expectations for both the client and internal partners.
• Collaborate with Marketing on prospecting campaigns, sales collateral, and tools that support outbound efforts.
• Share market feedback regularly-objections, competitor intelligence, emerging segment trends-to help refine NOC's group product and positioning.

Qualifications & Experience

• 3+ years of outbound sales experience, ideally in group hospitality, corporate event sales, incentive travel, association sales, or a related B2B environment.
• Demonstrated track record of generating new business through proactive prospecting rather than inbound lead conversion.
• Experience building and managing a pipeline and closing mid-value deals involving multiple stakeholders.
• Existing relationships within corporate event planning, incentive travel, nonprofit, or association markets a strong plus.
• Comfortable with consultative selling: able to understand a client's objectives and craft a tailored solution rather than quoting off a standard rate sheet.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills; comfortable engaging senior-level contacts.
• Self-directed and organized; able to manage a full prospecting calendar without close supervision.
• Proficiency in CRM software, Microsoft Office Suite, and digital prospecting and outreach tools.
• Enthusiasm for the outdoors and a genuine belief in outdoor adventure as a vehicle for group connection and organizational development.

What We're Looking For

• A natural relationship-builder who is energized by creating new connections and opening doors that didn't exist before.
• Resilient and persistent understands that high-value group sales have long cycles and nurtures prospects accordingly.
• A collaborative team player who communicates clearly with the Group Sales Manager and earns trust from the wider Group Sales team.
• Detail-oriented enough to produce polished, customized proposals and follow through on commitments.
• Eager to grow, receptive to coaching, and willing to learn from feedback.
• Embodies NOC's core values and standards of conduct.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Comfortable working remotely and managing a self-directed daily schedule.
• Comfortable sitting for extended periods and conducting outreach by phone, video, and email.
• Willing and able to travel for client meetings, site visits, and trade shows, including overnight and occasional weekend travel.
• Comfortable working in both office and outdoor environments; willingness to experience NOC adventure activities during client site visits is a plus.

Primary Work Location & Schedule

This position is remote, based in Charlotte, NC or Atlanta, GA, with regular travel to NOC's Bryson City campus and other NOC properties for site visits, client hosting, and team collaboration. Standard MondayFriday schedule with some evening or weekend availability expected based on client and event demands.

Compensation

Base Salary + Commission. Commission and performance bonus tied to new revenue generated, with uncapped earning potential.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Nantahala Outdoor Center is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any and all terms, conditions or privileges of employment including hiring, promotions, termination, training and compensation. NOC does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic condition or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.