Director of Sales

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Sales functions as business leader of the property's Sales department and develops strong relationships to proactively position and market the property. Provides day to day leadership to a small team of on-property Sales associates (e.g., Sales Managers and Sales Coordinators). The Director implements the brand's strategy and applicable brand initiatives in all aspects of the sales process and focuses on building long-term, value-based customer relationships that enable achievement of the hotel's sales objectives.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Executes the sales strategy and verifies that individual booking goals are met for on-property staff.
• Serves as the sales contact for the General Manager, LDHG Revenue Management, LDHG Sales Support team, and Catering Sales leaders.
• Serves as the sales contact for customers; serves as the customer advocate.
• Serves as the property sales liaison with Marriott National Group Sales and National Accounts.
• Provides customer intelligence in evaluating the market and economic trends that may lead to changes in sales strategy to meet or exceed customer expectations.
• Reviews the Smith Travel Research STAR report, competitive shopping reports, and uses other resources to maintain an awareness of the hotel's market position.
• Researches competitor's Sales team strategies to identify ways to grow RevPAR and increase market share.
• Attends sales strategy meetings to provide input on weekly and overall sales strategy.
• Participates in business planning with the LDHG Revenue Management and LDHG Sales Support team.
• Suggests innovative sales and marketing ideas and proactively develops deployment strategies to continue to grow market share.
• Proactively participates in hotel direct sales effort by conducting sales calls for assigned accounts and with members of the on-property Sales team.
• Evaluates the property's participation in the various sales channels (OTA, Group, brand.com, RFP, etc.).
• Executes and supports Marriott's brand standards.
• Executes and supports the operational aspects of business booked (e.g., generating proposal, writing contracts, customer correspondence).
• Participates in and practices daily service basics of the brand.
• Verifies that the property implements a seamless turnover from sales to operations.
• Maintains successful performance by increasing revenues and controlling expenses.
• Interfaces with LDHG Revenue Management and Sales Support team to execute the PSR and sales and marketing quarterly action plans.
• Develops strong partnerships with local organizations to further increase brand and product awareness.
• Develops and manages internal key stakeholder relationships.
• Develops strong community and public relations by obtaining property participation in local, regional, and national tradeshows and client events.
• Executes exemplary customer service to drive customer satisfaction and loyalty by assisting the customer and monitoring their satisfaction before and during their program or event.
• Serves the customer by understanding their needs and recommending the appropriate features and services to best meet their needs and exceed their expectations, while building a relationship and loyalty to Marriott.
• Gains understanding of the hotel's primary target customer and service expectations; serves the customer by understanding their business, business issues and concerns, to offer better business solution both prior to, and during the program or event.
• Monitors the effective resolution of guest issues that arise as a result of the sales process by creating mechanisms to channel issues to property leadership and/or other appropriate stakeholders.
• Develops strategic working relationships with leaders of these sales channels in order to proactively position and drive sales to the property.
• Functions as the business leader of the property's Sales department with overall responsibility for achieving booking goals and property revenue.
• Coaches leaders of LDHG Revenue Management team in developing effective revenue strategies and setting aggressive goals that will drive the property's financial performance.
• Develops quarterly bonus Key Sales Objectives (KSO) and sales action plans for Sales Manager(s).
• Verifies the Sales team is leveraging Marriott demand engines to full potential.
• Verifies that effective structures, processes, jobs and performance management systems are in place.
• Sets career development goals and reviews performance for direct reports using Perfode.com.
• Addresses performance issues and holds staff accountable for successful results.
• Forecasts talent needs and manages talent acquisition strategy to minimize lost time due to turnover.
• Keeps an active list of the competition's best sales people and executes a recruitment and acquisition plan.
• Champions leadership development and workforce planning priorities by assessing, selecting, retaining and developing diverse, high-caliber talent.
• Completes all required Company training/compliance courses as assigned.
• Adheres to Company standards and maintains compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

• Associate's degree in business administration, marketing, hotel and restaurant management, or equivalent in related field.

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum four (4) years of experience in the hotel sales and marketing field required.
• A minimum four (4) years of supervisory experience in the hotel sales and marketing field required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides immediate supervision to direct reports. Oversees and controls the work performance of others in a close working relationship, often in the same room or close proximity. A portion of the time may be spent performing individual tasks similar to those performed by direct reports. May participate in the interview, selection and training processes as assigned. May be responsible for assigning work to direct reports, reviewing results in accordance to policies and procedures, and providing recommendations to management.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

• This position does not require licenses or certifications.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

This position requires the capability to understand and follow both oral and written directions, as well as, knowledge and usage of correct business English and offices practices. Must be able to communicate effectively with others, analyze and resolve problems, maintain effective working relationships, and interact successfully with internal and external customers.

• Computer proficiency in Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, and GMail).
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Understands how to develop and implement business strategies.
• Ability to interpret and create policies, procedures, and manuals.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Proficient in time management; the ability to organize and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to take initiative and effectively adapt to changes.
• Recognizes an emergency situation and takes appropriate action.
• Able to establish and maintain a cooperative working relation.
• Ability to interpret and create spreadsheets.
• Able to use sound judgment; work independently, with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Preforms well with frequent interruptions and/or distractions.
• Intermediate math skills.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• No travel required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Specifically, when the amount of climbing exceeds that needed for ordinary motion.
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling and walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. Specifically, when the amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary motion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Specifically, if it is to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks. Specifically, for long distances or moving from one work site to another often.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Specifically, if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.
• Hands to Fingers: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Close Vision: Clear vision at 20 inches or less. Required to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading or visual inspections.
• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a minor amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.