Graduate Princeton - Princeton, NJ
Join Highgate as a Sales & Marketing Intern at the Graduate by Hilton Princeton, a spirited, boutique-style hotel steps from campus and minutes from downtown. This hands-on role supports our property sales team across prospecting, client engagement, on-property activations, and digital branding. You'll help research and qualify leads, assist with proposals and site visits, refresh collateral and listings, and track results in our CRM. Expect meaningful exposure to group, corporate, and leisure segments; collaboration with Operations, F&B, and Revenue Management; and real ownership of projects that impact revenue and reputation. Ideal for a junior-year student pursuing Hospitality, Business, or Marketing, the internship blends classroom theory with practical experience in a fast-paced, high-touch environment. By the end of the term, you'll have built a portfolio of work (reports, campaigns, event recaps), sharpened your presentation and client-service skills, and gained insight into how a leading hotel management company drives performance while delivering the distinctive Graduate Hotels guest experience.
Responsibilities
Support the sales team with day-to-day tasks : calendar holds, call blocks, travel / trip sheets, and meeting prep.
Assist with prospecting : research target accounts, compile lead lists, and pre-qualify inquiries.
Draft and send intro emails, proposals, and simple contracts using brand templates and rate guidelines.
Maintain the CRM (e.g., Delphi / Opera / Salesforce) : enter new leads, update contact notes, track stages, and ensure data accuracy.
Prepare BEOs / group resumes for small groups under supervision; route for internal approvals.
Coordinate site visits : confirm availability, build agendas, set up model rooms, signage, parking, and collateral.
Create and refresh sales collateral : one-sheets, fact sheets, menus, capacity charts, and presentations.
Support RFP responses (corporate / consortia / crew) : gather dates, rates, amenities, and value adds.
Monitor inbound channels (website, Cvent, Lanyon, WeddingWire, hotel inbox) and log / route leads promptly.
Compile daily / weekly reports : pace, pickup, group wash, lead aging, and call / productivity summaries.
Track competitive set activity : rates, promotions, group patterns, and market events; update comp matrix.
Assist with familiarization (FAM) trips, partner visits, client amenities, and light on-property activations.
Coordinate small client events : confirmations, BEO details, name badges, RSVPs, and post-event follow-up.
Manage client gifting and printed materials inventory; process purchase requests per policy.
Support digital listings (Cvent / brand pages) : check accuracy of photos, amenities, and meeting specs.
Handle billing setup for groups under guidance : credit apps, tax-exempt forms, deposit tracking.
Collect and synthesize guest / client feedback for post-event surveys and service recovery follow-up.
Uphold brand standards and confidentiality; follow SOPs for file naming, storage, and approvals.
Participate in sales training, shadow sales calls / site tours, and present a capstone project on a target segment.
Qualifications
Currently enrolled in a bachelor's program and in junior year (3rd year) at time of internship.
Majoring in Hospitality / Hotel Management, Business, Marketing, or related field.
Strong written and verbal communication; confident phone and email etiquette.
Proficient with Google Workspace or Microsoft Office (Docs / Sheets / Slides or Word / Excel / PowerPoint).
Detail-oriented with solid organization and time-management skills.
Customer-service mindset and professional demeanor.
Authorized to work in the U.S. for the duration of the internship.
Marketing Intern • Princeton, NJ, US