Area Director of Sales (Hospitality) | TN/KY Market

Hospitality Area Director of SalesARK Hospitality is seeking an experienced and driven Hospitality Area Director of Sales to provide commercial leadership across a growing portfolio of extended-stay hotels located in Clarksville, Tennessee and Bowling Green, Kentucky. This is an above-property leadership role responsible for driving revenue performance, supporting property-level sales execution, developing sales talent, strengthening owner relationships, and building strategic partnerships throughout both markets. The ideal candidate will combine strategic sales leadership with hands-on business development and possess a strong understanding of hotel revenue management, forecasting, and market growth strategies. This is a highly visible position that works directly with hotel leadership, ownership groups, operations teams, and revenue-management partners.The Clarksville market continues to experience significant growth driven by military activity, healthcare expansion, industrial development, relocation demand, education, government-related travel, and project-based business. Bowling Green, Kentucky benefits from a strong manufacturing presence, higher education, healthcare systems, tourism, corporate travel, and ongoing economic development initiatives. Together, these markets provide exceptional opportunities for extended-stay business, local negotiated-rate accounts, project-based lodging, and long-term revenue growth.Position Summary: The Hospitality Area Director of Sales is responsible for leading commercial strategy across multiple hotel assets while driving revenue growth, market share, occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR performance. This role combines: Portfolio-level sales leadership Business development Revenue strategy Team development Owner communication Market expansion The successful candidate will actively engage in sales efforts while supporting property leaders and ensuring consistent execution of ARK Hospitality's commercial strategy.Key Responsibilities:Sales Leadership & Strategy: Lead the development and execution of portfolio-wide sales strategies designed to maximize revenue growth and market share. Support and coach property-level sales leaders to improve performance and accountability. Conduct regular property visits and sales reviews. Identify opportunities to improve market penetration and account production. Participate directly in key account development and business-generation efforts. Establish measurable performance goals and sales-action plans.Revenue Performance & Planning: Partner with Revenue Management teams to align pricing strategies with market demand. Participate in forecasting, budgeting, and strategic revenue planning activities. Monitor portfolio-level performance including: Occupancy ADR RevPAR Market Share Account Production Analyze trends and competitive intelligence to identify growth opportunities.Business Development & Account Management: Develop and maintain relationships with regional and national accounts. Identify and secure business opportunities across: Extended-Stay Accounts Corporate Accounts Government & Military Business Construction & Project-Based Business Relocation & Temporary Housing Healthcare & Education Markets Negotiate and manage local negotiated-rate agreements and corporate contracts. Maintain an active sales pipeline and ensure CRM compliance.Owner & Stakeholder Relations: Serve as a primary commercial liaison to ownership groups and stakeholders. Present performance results, action plans, and growth strategies. Participate in owner meetings and portfolio-review sessions. Deliver data-driven recommendations to improve hotel performance.Team Development & Culture: Recruit, coach, mentor, and develop high-performing sales professionals. Create a culture focused on accountability, professional growth, and consistent execution. Support ongoing sales training and leadership development. Assist with succession planning and talent development initiatives.Requirements:Minimum of 4+ years of hospitality sales leadership experience.Demonstrated success in hotel sales, revenue generation, and business development.Strong background managing complex account relationships.Experience leading and coaching sales teams.Advanced communication and relationship-building skills.Strong analytical and financial acumen.Preferred: Multi-property or above-property hotel sales experience. Extended-stay hospitality experience. Experience presenting results to ownership groups. Experience working with forecasting, budgeting, and revenue-management processes. Familiarity with local negotiated rates (LNRs), corporate contracts, and long-term lodging business.Core Skills:Portfolio-Level Sales Strategy & ExecutionBusiness Development & Account ManagementRevenue Forecasting & BudgetingExtended-Stay Sales Leadership & Team DevelopmentCRM ManagementRevenue ManagementCollaborationClient Relationship ManagementRFP & Contract NegotiationMarket Growth StrategyTechnology Requirements:Experience with hotel sales and revenue systems preferred, including: Delphi ChoiceADVANTAGE ChoiceMAX CI/TY Salesforce STR Reports Microsoft Excel Microsoft Word Microsoft PowerPoint CRM and Hotel Sales Reporting PlatformsAdditional Requirements:Ability to travel up to 75% throughout Tennessee and Kentucky.Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.Ability to work in a fast-paced, growth-focused hospitality environment.Ability to build relationships with owners, clients, property leaders, and community partners.Occasional overnight travel as business needs require.Ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds occasionally.Benefits:Compensation: $85,000 - $90,000 Base Salary Performance-Based Bonus Opportunity Business Mileage ReimbursementCareer Advancement OpportunitiesARK Hospitality offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support team members and their families: 401(k) with Company Match Comprehensive Medical Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Paid Time Off (PTO) Professional Development Opportunities Leadership Development Programs Continuing Education Support Wellness Programs Community Involvement Opportunities Collaborative and Performance-Driven CultureWhy Join ARK Hospitality? This role offers the opportunity to directly influence the growth and performance of multiple hospitality assets while working alongside experienced ownership and operational leadership teams. If you are a hospitality sales leader who enjoys building teams, developing new business, driving revenue performance, and creating meaningful impact across multiple properties, we encourage you to apply today. ARK Hospitality "Raising the bar on what relationships, reputation, and returns mean in hospitality."