(CHICAGO BASED) Director of National Sales - Midwest Market

Pyramid Global Hospitality•Charlotte Harbor, FL

About The Position

The CHICAGO BASED Director of National Sales is responsible for hands-on sales, generating new business, building, and maintaining long-lasting relationships with clients in the Midwest Market. The individual will identify convention business that is the most profitable fit for the resort, manage sales funnel and build rapport with strategic partners. i.e., VCB, ALHI and intermediary partners. All duties are performed in accordance with department and Sunseeker Resort policies, practices, and procedures.

Requirements

MUST BE BASED IN CHICAGO
Bachelor's degree in Sales and Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
Minimum 5 years of Hospitality Sales Experience, preferably in a Resort or Convention Hotel
Experience developing and executing a territory or market strategic plan that drives results
Working knowledge of sales automation systems i.e. Delphi
Combination of education and experience will be considered
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
Excellent customer service skills
Ability to function well under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and meet established deadlines
Must possess mature personal discretion and sound judgment
Strong leadership abilities, superior problem solving and decision-making skills
Excellent organizational, analytical and project management skills, with particular attention to quality and detail
Interpersonal skills to deal effectively with all business contacts
Professional appearance and demeanor
Strong Team Player mentality

Responsibilities

Understand the overall market in which they sell – competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand, etc.
Understands their territory – identifies key acquisition accounts (specific meetings to target) and understands booking trends of each account.
Excel at proactive selling and qualifying.
Target key accounts, markets, or segments with heavy emphasis on proactive solicitation and account saturation.
Proactively identifies, qualifies, and solicits new business to achieve personal and resort room night goals.
Respond to incoming inquiries within their market segment and assist other sales associates in times of need.
Actively engage in-market with customers through one-on-one appointments, attendance at appropriate specific events, luncheons and/or trade shows.
Travel into markets, when needed, to ensure expanded exposure for the Resort.
Execute all travel to ensure maximization of customer engagement.
Build and strengthen relationships with existing and new customers to include sales calls, entertainment, FAM trips, trade shows, etc.
Conduct experiential customer site inspections.
Focus on accounts with larger potential sales revenue or Need Time patterns.
Comprehend budgets as needed to assist in the financial management of department.
Understand the impact of department's role in the overall resort financial goals and objectives and manages to achieve or exceed budgeted goals.
Build department top line revenue by identifying opportunities based on group’s meeting profile and adhering to sales strategy guidelines set forth by the Executive Director of Sales, Services and Experience.
Meets and exceed individual & team room night goals.
Effectively manage customer budgets to maximize revenue, meets customer needs and identifies opportunities to up-sell products and services throughout the sales process while building strong relationships.
Accurately forecast group sleeping rooms and revenue for his/her groups prior to the turnover and continues to be a part in this process after the turnover.
Ensure a high level of customer satisfaction and builds long-term mutually beneficial customer relationships to support future revenue growth.
Greet customer during the event phase and hands-off to the catering & conference services department for the execution of details.
Is available to solve problems and/or suggest alternatives to previous arrangements.
Create ways to further enrich the guest experience by continuously reviewing, implementing, and refining procedures to ensure every opportunity to offer extraordinary guest experiences while maintaining a culture of smiles, retention of luxury standards
Close the best opportunities for the resort based on market conditions and resort needs.
Display leadership in guest hospitality and ensures consistent, high-level service throughout all phases of resort events.
Ensures products and services sold to the clients meet or exceed their expectations, builds loyalty, and leads to increased market share.
Participate in the development and implementation of corrective action plans.
Emphasize guest satisfaction during all departmental meetings and focuses on continuous improvement.
Use all resources provided and is creative in uncovering new leads for the Resort.
Utilize Delphi to capture and manage customer information daily.
Effectively uses sales resources and coordinator/support staff.
Adhere to all standards, policies, and procedures (SOPs, etc.).
Exercise discretion and independent judgment when evaluating new programs, new services and new ideas
Stay abreast of property goals in order to create, support and present departmental goals to executive leadership
Continue to learn and be on the forefront of new technology for the hotel industry
Create ways to further enrich the guest experience by continuously reviewing, implementing and refining procedures to ensure every opportunity to offer extraordinary guest experiences while maintaining a culture of smiles, retention of luxury standards
Proactively seek guest feedback and liaise with other departments when opportunities present themselves ensuring a seamless and elevated guest experience
Manage guest requests and own all complaints; resolve issues immediately and follow up to ensure the guest’s satisfaction
Develop collaborative relationships and synergy with all support departments such as Convention Sales & Services, Facilities, Security, Front Services, Front Office, F&B, Golf Course and Executive Offices
Foster a management team that possesses and delivers on key strategies of guest service, team member relations, team cooperation, financial responsibility and asset management
Ensure all accounting, payroll and team member relations matters are handled in compliance with company policy
Perform other functions as needed