Director of Group Sales

COMMONWEALTH LODGING MANAGEMENT LLC•Oxford, MS

4d•$65,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Sales and Marketing leads and manages the hotel’s overall sales and marketing efforts. The role focuses on developing new business, nurturing existing accounts, overseeing rate and inventory management, supervising sales personnel, and implementing sales and marketing strategies to maximize hotel profitability while supporting exceptional guest and associate satisfaction. Reliable attendance is essential in an industry that operates seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The position supervises sales staff and coordinates group, convention, transient, catering, and meeting business. It manages sales initiatives, client relationships, marketing activities, budgets, advertising, and reporting, while coordinating with hotel departments, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, management, and ownership. The Director reports to the General Manager.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of hotel management experience.
Strong computer skills; Microsoft Office required.
Knowledge of sales techniques and suggestive selling.
Excellent business writing and decision-making skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
Ability to provide professional, courteous service at all times.
Ability to lift 25 lbs, push or pull up to 100 lbs, and stand for up to 8 hours.
Flexible schedule required, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Local market knowledge.
Comfort working throughout hotel environments and meeting clients on- and off-site.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with hotel systems and yield management.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the hotel’s sales and marketing efforts, including developing new business and nurturing existing accounts.
Supervise assigned sales staff, including hiring, termination, disciplinary actions, performance evaluations, training, and development.
Qualify prospective leads and develop relationships with contacts to generate group, convention, guest-room, meeting-space, services, catering, banquet, and transient business.
Participate in rate and inventory initiatives, including franchise revenue management services.
Oversee hotel and franchise field marketing initiatives and place hotel advertising within the approved marketing plan and budget.
Schedule group rooms, conventions, and business group activities.
Coordinate with other departments to deliver services agreed upon with prospective clients.
Assist the General Manager in creating and updating the hotel’s marketing plan and budget; formulate and execute projects for market areas covered by the plan.
Develop and maintain departmental budgets, client files, and sales-related policies and procedures.
Ensure sales activities meet or exceed the profit plan and implement strategies to increase market share.
Work with the Convention and Visitors Bureau on dates, availability, and rates.
Approve function-space allocation for group catering and meeting bookings.
Develop and maintain relationships with media contacts to support public relations efforts.
Monitor competition and industry developments and identify opportunities for market-share growth through innovation and strategy.
Prepare reports including productivity reports, weekly plans, sales call reports, market-share analyses, and forecasts.
Work with Food and Beverage and Rooms divisions to support above-average service levels.
Conduct weekly sales meetings and attend weekly staff meetings.
Attend and present data at meetings with the management company and hotel ownership as requested.
Attend high-profile events hosted at the hotel.
Complete projects assigned by the General Manager and follow Commonwealth Lodging Management, hotel, and brand standards, policies, and procedures.