Director of Entertainment and Sports

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts•Chicago, IL

8d•$100,000 - $112,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Entertainment and Sports works closely with the Director of Sales and Commercial Director to achieve group sales team goals and individual sales targets for an assigned territory. The role is accountable for meeting quotas and goals and focusing direct sales activities on generating the highest possible RevPAR for the hotel. The director generates business and promotes and sells the hotel, with a focus on Group Entertainment and Sports segments, in accordance with the Marketing Plan and in coordination with WSO efforts. The position requires independent judgment and discretion, and includes serving as a public ambassador for Four Seasons Hotels. This is a hotel-based hybrid position with required on-property days each week. The role covers prospecting, qualifying and securing group business; negotiating and finalizing contracts; supporting revenue objectives; and ensuring a proper handover to Conference Services. The director also conducts in-person site inspections for remote Sales Managers, develops client relationships through business travel as needed, and supports sales team dynamics, engagement, budgeting, marketing plans, presentations, strategies, employee reviews and department representation.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years as a Group Sales Manager in a previous role.
Previous experience in luxury hotels, focused on Entertainment and/or Sports markets.
Ability to work and make decisions independently in the best interest of the hotel.
Ability to mentor team members toward the highest level of achievement.
Exceptional interpersonal skills to create external and internal relationships.
Driven, competitive and focused sales approach.
Proficiency with Delphi/Golden S&C and commitment to maintaining high-quality CRM data and sales reporting.
Strong analytical, organizational and strategic planning abilities, with exceptional attention to detail.
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and relevant sales systems.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and thrive in a fast-paced luxury hospitality environment.
Availability for some weekends and evenings if needed, and business travel as needed.

Responsibilities

Prospect and solicit new and repeat business in assigned Entertainment, Production, Middle East and Sports markets.
Respond promptly to business inquiries and qualify leads to maximize group room nights, catering revenue and overall RevPAR performance.
Negotiate, prepare and finalize group contracts that support hotel revenue objectives and commercial strategy and achieve monthly, quarterly and annual revenue goals.
Secure proper handover to Conference Services.
Use prospecting resources to solicit and secure business, including outside sales calls, prospecting calls, site inspections and client entertainment.
Conduct in-person site inspections as the on-site representative for remote Sales Managers.
Assist the Director of Sales and Commercial Director with team dynamics, engagement and group team achievement.
Travel for business as needed to develop client relationships and represent the hotel professionally.
Use company-wide programs, sales developments, prospecting projects, WSO customer events and reporting for group business development.
Assist with budget setting, marketing plans, presentations, strategies, employee reviews and overall department representation internally.
Generate hotel awareness through direct phone sales, email, social media, direct sales calls, tradeshows and networking groups.
Work with the Sales and Marketing team to confirm individual business needed to meet budgeted sales goals.
Follow up on additional tasks, actions and responsibilities assigned by the Directors of Sales and Directors of Marketing.