Director of Sales & Events

Director of Sales & Events

Location: Cañon City, Colorado

Reports to: Vice President of Marketing

Drive Revenue. Build Relationships. Sell One of Colorado's Most Unique Destinations.

The Royal Gorge Route Railroad is seeking an accomplished hospitality sales leader to drive revenue across one of Colorado's most distinctive tourism portfolios.

This is far more than a traditional hotel or venue sales position. You'll represent an extraordinary collection of experiences—including the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, the Royal Gorge Mansion, Antithesis Restaurant, boutique lodging, and year-round private events—creating customized experiences for corporate groups, weddings, tour operators, and leisure travelers alike.

As Director of Sales & Events, you'll lead business development efforts, cultivate strategic partnerships, mentor our reservations sales team, and serve as the driving force behind group, corporate, wedding, and event revenue. Most importantly, this is a sales leadership role. Your success will be measured by your ability to build relationships, create opportunities, and consistently close business.

You'll be supported by an experienced leadership team, an established Reservations Manager and concierge sales staff, an Event Coordinator, and collaborative Operations, Culinary, and Marketing teams—allowing you to focus on growing revenue while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

What You'll Do

Lead Revenue Growth

• Develop and execute the sales strategy for group travel, corporate events, weddings, private events, travel trade, and strategic partnerships.
• Maintain an active pipeline through daily prospecting, networking, referrals, client meetings, site tours, and follow-up.
• Create customized proposals, negotiate contracts, and consistently convert qualified opportunities into booked business.
• Achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual revenue goals while identifying opportunities to expand existing client relationships.

Grow Strategic Partnerships

• Build lasting relationships with corporate clients, meeting planners, destination marketing organizations, tour operators, travel advisors, and community partners.
• Represent Royal Gorge Route Railroad at industry conferences, trade shows, sales missions, FAM tours, and networking events throughout Colorado and key drive markets.
• Develop referral partnerships that generate long-term, repeat business.

Lead Wedding & Event Sales

Initially, you'll oversee the complete wedding and private event sales portfolio while partnering closely with our Event Coordinator and Operations team. As business continues to grow, we anticipate expanding the sales organization to support additional specialization.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing the sales process from inquiry through signed contract.
• Designing customized event experiences that incorporate the Mansion, train excursions, lodging, dining, and other Royal Gorge offerings.
• Developing relationships within Colorado's wedding and event communities.
• Expanding preferred vendor partnerships and referral networks.

Mentor & Develop the Sales Team

• Provide leadership and coaching to the Reservations Manager and Concierge Sales Coordinators to strengthen inquiry conversion, upselling, CRM utilization, and guest engagement.
• Foster a culture where every guest is introduced to the full Royal Gorge experience through thoughtful cross-selling and exceptional service.
• Partner across departments to ensure seamless communication and outstanding guest experiences.

Contribute to Business Strategy

• Maintain accurate CRM reporting, forecasting, and sales activity tracking.
• Provide market intelligence regarding competitors, pricing trends, and emerging opportunities.
• Partner with Marketing and Operations to develop new packages, promotions, and revenue-generating initiatives.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking an experienced hospitality sales professional who thrives on relationship-building, strategic business development, and closing complex sales.

Ideal candidates will bring:

• Seven or more years of successful hospitality, tourism, destination, hotel, resort, or attraction sales experience.
• Demonstrated success exceeding revenue goals through proactive business development.
• Experience selling group business, corporate accounts, meetings, weddings, or private events.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience managing a CRM and maintaining an organized sales pipeline.
• A collaborative leadership style with experience mentoring or leading sales teams.
• Familiarity with platforms such as Cvent, WeddingWire, The Knot, Delphi, or similar hospitality sales systems.
• Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent professional experience.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary

$110,000–$125,000 annually, depending on experience.

Commission

Commission is earned on qualified revenue generated across:

• Group train bookings
• Corporate events
• Weddings
• Private events
• Mansion venue rentals
• Lodging packages
• Antithesis private dining experiences
• Multi-experience bundled packages

On-target earnings: $130,000–$150,000 annually, with uncapped earning potential for exceptional performance.

High-performing sales leaders who consistently exceed revenue goals may qualify for accelerated commission tiers.

Benefits

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents
• 8% employer 401(k) match, fully vested
• Generous paid time off beginning on your first day
• Relocation assistance for exceptional candidates
• Professional development and industry conference opportunities
• Complimentary and discounted Royal Gorge Route Railroad experiences
• Employee dining discounts at Antithesis
• Employee lodging discounts at Royal Gorge properties

Why Join Royal Gorge Route Railroad?

You'll represent one of Colorado's premier tourism destinations while selling an unmatched collection of hospitality experiences:

• Iconic scenic rail excursions
• Luxury wedding and event venue at the Royal Gorge Mansion
• Award-winning dining at Antithesis
• Boutique lodging
• Corporate retreats
• Holiday experiences
• Year-round private events

If you're an accomplished hospitality sales leader who enjoys building relationships, creating memorable experiences, and driving measurable revenue growth, we'd love to meet you.

The Royal Gorge Route Railroad is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the hiring process, please contact our HR Department at (719) 276-4000.

Salary : $110,000 - $125,000