Group Sales Representative

Group Sales Representative

Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) has been a leader in outdoor recreation for over 53 years, introducing millions to outdoor adventure and helping generations of paddlers build their skills. Today, NOC offers whitewater rafting, paddling instruction, aerial and trail-based adventures, wilderness medicine, lodging, dining, retail, and customized group experiences across the Southeast.

NOC is seeking a motivated, relationship-driven Group Sales Representative to grow and manage group business across NOC's portfolio of experiences, lodging, and services.

This is a year-round, full-time, hourly sales position with a commission structure that rewards both new business development and existing/returning group business. The Group Sales Representative serves as a primary point of contact for group leaders, helping churches, camps, scout organizations, schools, universities, corporate groups, families, clubs, and other organizations plan experiences that meet their needs.

This role owns the sales process from initial inquiry and outbound prospecting through booking, pre-arrival planning, payment collection, trip follow-up, and rebooking. The position carries defined sales and activity expectations, with weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual targets used to measure performance and progress toward overall sales goals.

The Group Sales Representative reports to the Group Sales Manager and generally works a Monday-Friday, 40-hour-per-week schedule. Some evening and weekend work, travel, and event participation will be required based on business needs.

Responsibilities

• Generate sales across NOC properties, attractions, activities, lodging, dining, and other group offerings, meeting or exceeding assigned sales goals.
• Meet established weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual sales and activity targets, including expectations for prospecting, pipeline development, bookings, revenue, retention, and rebooking.
• Actively prospect for and develop new group business through outbound calls, emails, lead research, referrals, networking, expos, trade shows, and other business-development efforts.
• Manage inbound group sales inquiries promptly and professionally, guiding prospective guests toward NOC experiences that best meet their needs.
• Grow and retain existing group business through proactive account management, relationship building, follow-up, and rebooking.
• Proactively rebook existing and returning groups, securing future dates and maintaining strong year-over-year relationships with key accounts.
• Maintain an active sales pipeline and accurate reporting on prospects, bookings, account status, next steps, and anticipated revenue.
• Conduct timely follow-up on leads, proposals, outstanding decisions, deposits, balances, and other sales opportunities.
• Travel as needed to trade shows, expos, conferences, networking events, client meetings, and other sales or business-development opportunities, representing NOC professionally and actively generating new leads and relationships.
• Participate in NOC's commission program for both new and existing business, based on the established commission structure and eligibility requirements.
• Guide each group through the full group life cycle, from initial inquiry and proposal through contract, deposit, planning, final details, and arrival, ensuring milestones are met.
• Develop and maintain detailed, accurate itineraries for each group, coordinating activities, lodging, dining, and logistics across NOC properties, and adjusting plans as needed to ensure a well-organized experience from start to finish.
• Collect contracts, deposits, and balance payments according to NOC group payment policies.
• Maintain accurate and current account information within NOC's CRM, reservation systems, sales tracking tools, and other required technology platforms.
• Maintain a thorough working knowledge of NOC's destinations, activities, lodging, dining, and group products in order to confidently recommend, package, and cross-sell experiences.
• Maintain a regular presence at NOC operating locations and outposts, generally at least one day per week or as otherwise assigned, to build product knowledge, strengthen relationships with operational teams, and stay connected to the guest experience.
• Onsite visits include conducting tours for prospective clients, meetings and lunches with current group partners, experiencing NOC activities in training, and greeting first time group accounts.
• Participate in regular sales meetings, account reviews, planning meetings, training sessions, and other required team meetings.
• Collaborate closely with Operations, Lodging, Food & Beverage, Guest Services, Marketing, and other NOC departments to ensure group needs and expectations are clearly communicated.
• Support NOC's Guest Relations and broader Sales teams as business needs require.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Previous experience in sales, hospitality, tourism, customer service, outdoor recreation, or related field.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and telephone communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple accounts, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Comfort with outbound sales, prospecting, and initiating conversations with prospective customers.
• Comfort working toward defined sales goals, activity expectations, and measurable performance targets.
• Ability to work independently, maintain consistent follow-up, and take ownership of assigned accounts and sales goals.
• Ability and willingness to travel to NOC locations, trade shows, expos, client meetings, and other sales events as required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort learning new technology platforms.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• This position requires participation in select NOC adventure activities, such as whitewater rafting, ziplining, and other outdoor experiences, as part of gaining firsthand product knowledge, supporting sales efforts, and effectively representing the NOC guest experience. Employees must be able to participate in these job-related activities, with or without reasonable accommodation, and in accordance with applicable safety requirements.

Preferred

• Previous group, hospitality, tourism, or business-to-business sales experience.
• Demonstrated record of meeting sales goals or growing customer accounts.
• Experience using CRM and reservation management systems.
• Familiarity with outdoor recreation, travel, tourism, camps, schools, corporate retreats, or group travel.
• B.S./B.A. in Hospitality, Business, Marketing, Recreation, or a related field.

Successful Candidates Will

• Have a strong customer-service mindset and enthusiasm for connecting people with outdoor experiences.
• Be comfortable balancing inbound account management with proactive outbound selling.
• Be motivated by measurable goals and accountable for progress toward established sales targets.
• Be detail-oriented and consistently follow established sales and account-management processes.
• Demonstrate urgency and reliability in responding to guests, prospects, and internal partners.
• Take ownership of prospecting, follow-up, deadlines, payments, documentation, and rebooking.
• Be a self-starter who actively identifies opportunities and moves business forward.
• Work collaboratively across departments and communicate clearly with teammates.
• Be receptive to coaching, feedback, and performance expectations.
• Embody and exemplify NOC Core Values and Standards of Conduct.
• Ability to flex and pivot focus depending on the season, shifting between outbound prospecting during off-season and hands-on group management, communication, and coordinator hand-off during peak season.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to work at a computer and remain seated for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate regularly with guests and coworkers by phone, email, virtual meetings, and in person.
• Ability to work primarily in an indoor office environment while also regularly working from or visiting NOC operating locations.
• Ability to travel for outpost visits, trade shows, expos, client meetings, and other business-development activities.
• Ability to experience NOC's activities as an active participant.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and expectations associated with the position and is not an exhaustive list of all duties. Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs.

Nantahala Outdoor Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. NOC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all terms and conditions of employment without discrimination based on any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. NOC is also committed to maintaining a workplace that respects and values employees, guests