Special Group Sales Manager

Job Description

Job Description

The Cal Alumni Association (CAA) provides all Cal graduates with rewarding connections to the university, to fellow alums, and to current students. Founded by the original graduates of the University of California in 1872, the Cal Alumni Association today represents more than half a million alums living throughout the world.

Our mission is to cultivate a lifelong relationship with our alma mater by connecting and inspiring alums, students, and the campus community through meaningful and inclusive opportunities. We foster a culture that celebrates diversity, creates a sense of belonging, and advances equity.

Special Group Sales Manager

The Lair of the Golden Bear is seeking a results-driven Special Group Sales Manager is responsible for generating new customers and revenue to the Lair through Special Group sales. Prospects include campus, alumni, and student groups; corporate retreats and team building; weddings; middle schools who would attend Science Camp; and other events where our property could be rented and used. This position will also build strategic partnerships and drive revenue across all Lair operations. This role reports to the Lair's General Manager

This job is based in Berkeley, CA, with periodic travel to Pinecrest.

Key Responsibilities:

Special Group Sales & Revenue Growth for new Oski Lodge

• Identify, promote, network, pursue, and develop new business through special group sales for campus clubs, organizations, departments, teams, and other university groups, including CAA alumni chapters; corporate and team retreats; weddings; middle schools to attend Science Camp; and other events at our new Lair Lodge at Camp Oski during our non-summer season. 
• Prospect through networking, referrals, cold outreach, LinkedIn, industry events, to develop and secure new business opportunities. 
• Manage the full sales cycle from prospecting to proposal to negotiation to closing and follow-up as needed with event or session. 
• Create and build customized retreat schedules to meet the needs and objectives of the group.
• Account management as needed by working with the Lair team so that session exceeds groups expectations. Maintain relationships and network with leads of groups for consideration of returning and for introductions to future new business.
• Track pipeline activity, forecasts, and performance metrics.
• Achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual revenue goals.

Sales & Revenue Growth for Summer Season

• Develop and execute plans for expanding participation and occupancy for family camp sessions, especially Weeks 2, 5, and 10, as well Club Lair, College Prep Camp, and Bear Music Fest. 
• Identify and implement new value-added offerings (e.g., bed sheets, food & wine, mattresses, rentals) to increase participation and revenue.
• Grow special group sales for summer shoulder season, primarily weekends in the end of August through September. 

Business Development:

• Work with CAA's Business Development team on opportunities where cross-promotion can drive Lair revenue.
• Seek business opportunities that add value to the Lair guest experience.

Operational Support and Project Management

• Work across all Lair departments to ensure smooth camp operations and exceptional guest experience. 
• Flexibility to provide hands-on support as needed, ensuring seamless operations, problem-solving in real time, and maintaining high service standards. This could include collaborating with marketing and operations to ensure success of group experience.
• Support fundraising efforts, working with CAA's Development Department to meet or exceed fundraising targets for the Lair.

Other Duties

• Support the Lair's evolving business needs with additional tasks as assigned. These needs may or may not be directly related to a group brought in by this position.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous sales and business development experience, with proven ability to meet net sales targets.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills to interact and communicate with diverse groups both online and in person.
• Ability to work efficiently, multitask, and meet deadlines. Ability to manage and prioritize projects.
• Excellent computer skills using spreadsheet, database management, presentation, and word processing applications (MS Office Suite, Google Applications, and CRM solutions).
• Professional demeanor with the ability to work with and maintain confidentiality of sensitive data.
• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends to support CAA and campus-wide events in addition to assigned work-shift.
• Must submit to and pass Consumer Report and FBI/DOB fingerprint background investigations.
• Must possess a valid CA driver's license and acceptable driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Knowledge and familiarity of the Lair of the Golden Bear.
• Knowledge and familiarity of the University of California, Berkeley, and the Cal campus.

Salary:
This position is classified as an at-will, full-time, exempt position. Base pay is $70,500 annually, with commission of 6% on Special Group sales attributable directly to Special Group Sales Manager. 

BenefitsFor Our Full-time Employees:

CAA offers an excellent health care and supplemental benefits packages, 403(b), a generous paid time-off benefit, and more. We have a friendly, relaxed but professional environment, and we pride ourselves on our team approach.

Health Care Benefits:

• CAA employees are required to contribute 10% of their total medical premium for the employee and 20% for any eligible dependents.
• CAA pays 100% of the premiums for Dental and Vision benefits for the employee and any eligible dependents.

Paid Time Off Benefits:

• Vacation: 16 days/year for first 2 years of service, 18 days/year after completing 2 years of service, 21 days/year after completing 5 years of service.
• Sick time: 12 days/year
• Holidays: 11 total per year
• Paid time off between Dec 26 and Dec 31
• Birthday Holiday: 1 Day off

Professional Development:

• As affiliates to UC Berkeley, CAA employees are eligible to participate in many of the on-campus professional development workshops, seminars and professional networks available to UCB employees. Please note that this does not include undergraduate or graduate courses offered to students.
• CAA has a partnership with UC Berkeley Extension that offers our employees a discount on enrollment fees.

Financial Benefits:

• 403(b) retirement savings plan with a company match
• Supplemental Insurance with 100% of premiums paid by CAA:
  • Life Insurance
  • AD&D Insurance
  • LTD Insurance
• Option to purchase supplemental insurance plans from AFLAC

Commuting and Parking:

• If you're a commuter, consider taking advantage our pre-tax public transit commuter benefit. You can load your Clipper Card or pay public transit fare with pre-tax dollars.
• Cal Bear Pass: Take advantage of UCB's partnership with AC Transit. The partnership offers a cost savings of up to 70% off the standard monthly bus pass rate! CAA employees are eligible to purchase an AC transit pass at the faculty/staff discount rate with pre-tax payroll deductions.
• UCB Campus Parking Permit: As affiliates to UCB, our CAA employees are eligible to purchase a campus parking permit at the faculty/staff discount rate with pre-tax payroll deductions.

Access to Campus Programs and Discounts:

• Eligible to join the Recreational Sports Facility (RSF) at the Faculty/Staff discount rate
• Special campus events
• Free admission to the University Art Museum
• Discount tickets for Cal Performances, Pacific Film Archive, and Hertz Hall
• AirBears: wireless internet access on campus