The Area Director of Sales is responsible for planning and managing the overall sales and marketing for a collection of 2-10 full service premium select and/or independent branded hotels. This role has the responsibility to achieve optimal occupancy and ADR growth to maximize total revenue while meeting/exceeding hotel profit objectives for all of the entire collection of hotels. This individual will oversee operations of the hotel sales department including but not limited to direct sales, follow-up sales administration, hiring of staff, training, managing, and coaching. Additional responsibilities include sales and marketing budget forecast, advertising marketing, and business plans; manages within approved plans and budgets.
Management-level associates are expected to work as much of each workday as is necessary to complete their job responsibilities; for OEM associates overtime does apply and is calculated accordingly.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate all group transient and catering sales solicitations and bookings to maximize overall revenue.
- Coordinate sales automation efforts ensuring a region sales database is developed and managed for various email campaigns and customer solicitation efforts to maximize overall revenue.
- Develop, recommend, implement, and manage the division's annual budget and the advertising, public relations, marketing, and sales plans and programs for the hotel to maximize rate, occupancy, and food & beverage opportunities thus ensuring the hotel meets/exceeds management and owner revenue/profit goals and expectations.
- Initiate and develop sales trips to key feeder markets/cities with a focus on identifying accounts that can directly benefit revenue performance targets at all hotels located within the cluster. In addition, work directly with property-based Directors of Sales to help with coordination of on-property direct sales efforts.
- Proactively conduct outside sales calls, conduct sales tours, and entertain clients.
- Understand the content reflected in contracts and how to negotiate terms therein.
- Develop and maintain market awareness to ensure ability to predict revenue opportunities and set proactive strategies.
- Monitor production of all top accounts and evaluate trends within your market.
- Conduct on-property visits to hotels within assigned collection to assess strength of sales leadership, strategic culture, and adherence to Aimbridge Hospitality’s established regulations, company standards, sales standards, and sales metrics.
- Comply with attainment of individual goals as well as team goals and budgeted metrics.
- Train all members of the hotel staff on how to recognize and capitalize on all sales opportunities to increase hotel occupancy and revenue.
- With input and guidance from the GM and/or Corporate HR, manage Human Resources in the division in order to attract, retain, and motivate the employees; hire, train, develop, empower, coach, and counsel; conduct performance and salary reviews; resolve problems; provide open communication vehicles; discipline and terminate as appropriate.
- Develop a full working knowledge of the operations and policies of the hotel including Sales, Food and Beverage, Front Office, and Reservations.
- Maintain strong visibility in local community and industry organizations.
- Attend and/or conduct daily/weekly/monthly meetings and any other functions required by management providing training on a rotational basis.
- Maintain professional working relationship and promote open lines of communication across your collection of hotels to achieve initiatives with respective marketing partner(s) and other internal departments (i.e. Second Wave Aimbridge Digital or Branded field marketing).
- Travel on a weekly basis as required.
- Act as directed on behalf of the General Manager in his/her absence; performing any other duties as requested by management.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- At least 4 years of progressive hotel sales experience preferred; or a 4-year college degree and at least 2 years of related experience; or a 2-year college degree and at least 4 years of related experience.
- Prior Director of Sales or National Sales experience selling major downtown markets is required.
- Must have a valid driver’s license in the applicable state.
- Must possess highly developed verbal & written communication skills to frequently negotiate, convince, sell, and influence other managerial personnel, hotel guest(s), and/or corporate clients.
- Must have thorough experience with professional selling skills: opening, probing, supporting, closing.
- Shows strong analytical skills and strategic vision in establishing appropriate sales deployment.
- Must be proficient in general computer knowledge, especially Microsoft Office products.
- Must be able to work independently and simultaneously manage multiple tasks.
- Strong organization and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively interact and manage people of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds while solving complex problems and creating a productive sales team.
- Requires advanced knowledge of the principles and practices within the sales/marketing/hospitality profession.
- Must work well in stressful, high-pressure situations; maintain composure and objectivity under pressure.
- Must be able to work with and understand financial information and data and basic arithmetic functions.
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