Group device-to-device (GD2D) communication is a good solution for data dissemination to devices in proximity without imposing a heavy load on cellular networks. We propose an operating strategy for GD2D communication regarding the mode selection and the power allocation in order to maximize the sum rate of the overall system satisfying QoS requirements of both cellular and D2D links. We derive the maximum sum rate for each class of distance profile of participating devices in the interference-dominant scenario. Using the result, the operating strategy of GD2D communication can be determined in a table-look-up manner.