Group Sales Manager at InterContinental Washington DC - The Wharf

About Us 

IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest hotel companies in the world and one of the world’s leading hotel and resort companies with a family of 19 brands. Our purpose – True Hospitality for Good – comes to life in every one of our collections. With luxury and lifestyle, we are taking it to new heights.

Five visionary brands - InterContinental, Regent Hotels, Six Senses, Vignette Collection and Kimpton Hotels - make up our luxury collection. Individually, they are icons. Together, they bring unforgettable and unparalleled experiences to travelers in over 430 hotels and resorts in 100 countries around the world. 

Having recently added a host of incredible properties to our portfolio, we now stand as one of the world’s leading luxury operators. Each of our hotels cultivates a distinctive style and ambience where we embrace every opportunity to give our guests unforgettable and unparalleled experiences. 

About the hotel

Located at the center of D.C.’s Waterfront, InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf is the preferred luxury destination for the capitol regions most prestigious gatherings. Across 22,000+ sq ft of meeting space, floor‑to‑ceiling windows illuminate every room, pairing 11 breakout rooms with Potomac River views. 

The hotel embraces guests with an exquisitely curated urban resort destination with over 60 restaurants, shops and two concert venues along the river’s edge just steps away from the National Mall. Amenities include a relaxing seasonal rooftop pool with striking Potomac River views overlooking five monuments, three dining outlets and the indulging full-service spa, the Spa at The Wharf, the hotel seamlessly blends modern luxury, culture, and a rich history to create a perfect atmosphere for guests and locals alike.

About the Group Sales Manager position

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Group Sales Manager to develop business through direct sales solicitation within an assigned territory or market segment. This role is responsible for generating new business opportunities, building strong client relationships, and driving revenue growth while representing one of the world's most iconic luxury hotel brands.

Success in this role requires a passion for hospitality and a commitment to our service culture. We are looking for someone who is naturally charming by being approachable, confident, and respectful; who stays in the moment by understanding and anticipating client needs, taking ownership, and delivering results; and who makes every interaction memorable through industry knowledge, storytelling, and a personal style that creates meaningful connections.
 

A little taste of your day-to-day

As a Group Sales Manager, you will be responsible for identifying, soliciting, and securing group business opportunities that contribute to the overall success and profitability of the hotel. You will develop and maintain relationships with corporate, association, social, and other key market segments to achieve and exceed room night, revenue, and market share goals.

Key responsibilities include:

• Proactively prospecting, qualifying, and securing new business opportunities while nurturing existing client relationships.

• Developing and executing strategic sales plans to maximize hotel revenue and occupancy.

• Negotiating guest room rates, meeting space rentals, and hotel services within established guidelines.

• Preparing, reviewing, and managing sales contracts, rate agreements, and event documentation with accuracy and attention to detail.

• Conducting hotel site inspections, client meetings, presentations, and networking events to showcase the property's unique offerings.

• Representing the hotel at industry trade shows, conventions, and sales missions within key feeder markets.

• Collaborating closely with Operations, Revenue Management, Catering, Event Planning and other hotel departments to ensure seamless execution of client expectations and commitments.

• Maintaining accurate client records, sales activities, forecasts, and reporting within designated sales systems.

• Monitoring market trends, competitive activity, and customer needs to identify new business opportunities.

• Participating in annual business planning, budgeting, and strategic sales initiatives.

• Developing curated proposals that are tailored to client needs, while also meeting lead response deadlines. 

• Following up with clients before, during, and after events to ensure satisfaction, strengthen relationships, and secure future business.

This role offers the opportunity to build meaningful partnerships, contribute directly to the hotel's success, and create exceptional experiences for our guests while working alongside a passionate and collaborative team.

What we need from you:

• Some college coursework and 1–2 years of sales, catering, hospitality, or related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Previous experience in hotel operations, group sales, or food and beverage operations is preferred.

• Strong knowledge of hospitality sales practices and customer relationship management.

• Must be fluent in English; additional language skills are a plus.

This role requires the ability to:

• Frequently stand, walk, and move throughout the hotel and off-site locations.

• Lift, carry, push, or pull items weighing up to 25 pounds.

• Handle and transport sales materials and promotional items.

• Bend, stoop, kneel, and reach as necessary to perform job duties.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong relationships with clients, guests, colleagues, and business partners while representing the hotel, brand, and company in a highly professional manner.

• Strong written communication skills for preparing contracts, proposals, reports, correspondence, and sales presentations.

• Solid analytical and mathematical abilities, including budgeting, forecasting, profit and loss concepts, percentages, and variance analysis.

• Exceptional organizational, time management, problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making skills.

• The ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• A proactive sales mindset with a passion for prospecting, networking, and developing new business opportunities.

• The ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

• Ability and willingness to travel for client meetings, sales calls, trade shows, conventions, industry events, and training programs.

• A valid driver's license may be required.

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business demands require.

• Willingness to entertain clients and attend networking events in accordance with company policies and guidelines.

   

What you can expect from us

We give our people everything they need to succeed. From a competitive salary that rewards all your hard work to a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life – including impressive room discounts and some of the best training in the business. 

The salary range for this role is $30.00 to $33.00. This is the lowest to highest pay scale we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. This rate range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in Washington, DC. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the pay range will be based on several factors including, but limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs. 

This job is also eligible for bonus pay. 

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401k, and many other benefits to eligible employees.

You can apply for this role through the link below (or through the internal career site if you are a current employee). 

Note: No amount of pay is considered wages or compensation until earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate difference and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance by always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. 

IHG Hotels & Resorts gives every member of the team the room they need to belong, grow and make a difference in a collaborative environment. We know that to work well, we need to feel well – both inside and outside of work – and through our myWellbeing framework, we are committed to supporting wellbeing in your health, lifestyle, and workplace. So, join us and you’ll become part of our ever-growing global family.

At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we’ve made a promise. As one of the world’s leading hotel groups, we’re here to deliver True Hospitality for Good. Making our guests and colleagues feel welcome, cared for, recognized and respected – wherever they are in the world. Want to be part of the journey?

As the world’s first and most global luxury hotel brand, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has pioneered international travel since the 1940s and we are passionate about sharing our renowned international know-how and cultural wisdom in truly impressive surroundings. We all take great pride in being genuine ambassadors of the InterContinental®️ brand and to be part of the brand you will have a thirst for travel, a passion for culture and an appreciation for diversity. We create inspiring experiences for those seeking a richer perspective on the world. If you’d like to embrace a world of opportunities, we’d like to welcome you to the world’s most international luxury hotel brand.

Don't quite meet every single requirement, but still believe you'd be a great fit for the job? We'll never know unless you hit the 'Apply' button. Start your journey with us today.