About our property:

Embark on a career at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, a distinctive property managed by Pyramid Global, where hospitality meets academic excellence. With 248 well-appointed guest rooms, 10 versatile meeting spaces, and 30,811 sq ft of meeting space, our hotel provides a unique workplace nestled within the vibrant atmosphere of the University of Florida. Join our team and experience a work environment that reflects the energetic spirit of the university community. At Pyramid Global, we offer comprehensive benefits, including a 401k with a company match, and recognition programs tailored to acknowledge your dedication. If you're seeking a career that blends hospitality with the dynamic atmosphere of a prestigious institution, consider joining us at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center. Your journey towards a fulfilling career in this unique setting begins here.

What you will have an opportunity to do:

Join a Team Where Your UF Connections Make a Difference

Are you passionate about the University of Florida and looking for an opportunity to build on the relationships you've developed across campus? The Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville is seeking a collaborative, relationship-driven Senior Sales Manager to serve as the bridge between the University and Gainesville's premier conference hotel.

If you understand the University culture, know how departments operate, enjoy building relationships, and want to see your work directly impact the success of the University community, this is an exciting opportunity to transition your UF experience into hospitality sales and business development.

Position Summary

As the Senior Sales Manager, you will cultivate and strengthen strategic partnerships throughout the University of Florida while generating group lodging, meeting, conference, catering, and event business for the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville.

This position is ideal for someone who has established relationships with UF colleges, departments, research institutes, athletics, alumni organizations, student groups, and administrative offices and enjoys connecting people with solutions. Your knowledge of campus, University events, and internal processes will help position the Hilton as the preferred destination for meetings, conferences, recruiting visits, alumni events, athletic programs, and special events.

In addition to business development, you'll play an important role in business intelligence, sales strategy, marketing initiatives, and sales systems management to help identify new revenue opportunities and support the hotel's continued growth.

What You'll Do

Build Relationships Across the University

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville and the University community.

• Develop and maintain relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, event planners, researchers, athletics personnel, alumni organizations, and affiliated partners.

• Identify opportunities for conferences, meetings, lodging, catering, recruiting visits, symposiums, training programs, and special events.

• Represent the hotel at University functions, networking events, campus meetings, and community events.

• Help position the Hilton as the University's preferred hospitality and conference destination.

Grow Business

• Proactively solicit new business while strengthening existing University partnerships.

• Manage a portfolio of assigned accounts with an emphasis on long-term relationships and repeat business.

• Collaborate with the Director of Sales & Marketing and Director of Catering to identify and secure new opportunities.

• Respond promptly to inquiries and provide exceptional customer service throughout the sales process.

• Coordinate with hotel operations to ensure successful event execution.

Use Data to Drive Success

• Manage and maintain Delphi.fdc (Amadeus Advanced) and other sales systems.

• Ensure sales data is accurate and supports forecasting and reporting.

• Assist with month-end reporting and revenue analysis.

• Analyze University event trends, booking patterns, and market opportunities.

• Partner with Revenue Management to identify high-value business segments and maximize revenue opportunities.

Support Marketing & Community Engagement

• Assist with marketing initiatives focused on the University community.

• Help develop social media and digital marketing campaigns highlighting campus partnerships and events.

• Monitor University calendars and emerging opportunities to proactively generate business.

• Collaborate with Hilton corporate marketing and University partners to strengthen brand awareness.

What are we looking for?

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Has experience working within the University of Florida or possesses extensive knowledge of the University community.

• Enjoys networking and building meaningful professional relationships.

• Is organized, analytical, and comfortable using technology and data to make informed decisions.

• Has excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

• Is passionate about delivering exceptional customer service.

• Can identify opportunities, solve problems, and think strategically.

Sales, event planning, hospitality, higher education administration, alumni relations, athletics, conference services, communications, development, or University program management experience are all valuable backgrounds for this role.

Why Join Hilton UF?

Working at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville gives you the opportunity to remain connected to the University community while joining an award-winning hospitality team. You'll work with colleagues who value collaboration, innovation, and relationship-building while helping support the conferences, research, athletics, alumni events, and programs that make UF one of the nation's leading universities.

If you're ready to take your University experience in a new direction and help create memorable experiences for the Gator community, we'd love to meet you.

Compensation:

Actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years & depth of experience, certifications and specific office location. This may differ in other locations due to cost of labor considerations.