Director of Sales, Catering and Marketing - Franchise

Waldorf Astoria Kuwait•Columbus, OH

2d•$130,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

This role is responsible for the financial revenue success of the hotel by developing and implementing strategies for sales, catering, and marketing. The Director will lead the sales and catering management team, foster a high-energy, results-driven environment, and ensure the hotels stay top-of-mind through effective marketing efforts. Additionally, the position requires maintaining strong positive relationships within the market and participating in total hotel leadership for smooth operations. The job posting is for a position at a hotel owned and operated by an independent franchisee, meaning employment is with the franchisee, not Hilton, and compensation/benefits are determined by the franchisee.

Requirements

Financial revenue success.
Development of annual budget and revenue strategy.
Reforecasting revenues and sales expenses.
Overseeing contract accounts and building relationships.
Completing Transient RFPs and participating in rate structure.
Participating in weekly Revenue Management meetings.
Analyzing STR performance.
Monitoring Transient account production and approving rate increases.
Utilizing tools such as Agency360, Demand360, and OTA Insight.
Creating booking strategies, rate strategies, and free sell policies.
Reducing group liability and ensuring annual contract reviews.
Reviewing and approving business and concessions.
Developing Business Plans for market segments.
Ensuring selling strategies against competitive set.
Following up on action plans with managers.
Creating an expense budget with ROI on actions.
Leading Sales and Catering management team.
Establishing quarterly and annual booking and solicitation goals.
Holding regular meetings with Hilton and sister hotels.
Developing sales managers.
Holding managers accountable for results.
Executing annual reviews.
Leading marketing efforts.
Ensuring social media campaigns are developed and executed.
Responding to social media comments.
Overseeing Brand and vanity websites.
Developing packages, landing pages, banner ads, and targeting.
Developing rapport with key clients.
Working with Hilton National Sales Managers.
Networking with industry associations.
Ensuring strong presence in local community.
Holding client events.
Monitoring SALT and Meeting Planner feedback.
Developing systems for inter-departmental communication.
Resolving client disputes.
Following accounting processes with Yardi.
Contributing positively to hotel culture.
Participating in Executive Committee meetings.
Partnering with key vendors to maintain systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Amadeus (Delphi FDC), Cendyn, Cvent, Meeting Broker, Hilton Content Gateway, and Fourwinds Interactive.

Responsibilities

Responsible for financial revenue success.
Assist in the development of the annual budget and revenue strategy, including sales mix and ADR growth.
Reforecast revenues and sales expenses monthly.
Oversee contract accounts and build strong relationships.
Complete Transient RFPs and participate in rate structure.
Actively participate in weekly Revenue Management meetings.
Analyze STR performance to increase RevPAR year over year.
Monitor Transient account production and approve annual rate increases.
Utilize tools like Agency360, Demand360, and OTA Insight to understand market performance.
Assist in creating booking strategies, rate strategies, and free sell policies, monitoring booking pace and adjusting strategies to achieve budgets.
Reduce group liability and ensure annual contract reviews.
Review and approve business and concessions, monitor cut-off dates, and collect attrition or cancellation fees if necessary.
Develop a Business Plan for each market segment with the Sales Team to position hotels for desired results.
Ensure selling strategies are in place against the competitive set.
Follow up on action plans with managers to ensure goal achievement and modify plans as needed.
Assist in creating an expense budget with ROI on actions like trade shows, client events, and marketing initiatives.
Lead the Sales and Catering management team, creating a high-energy, sales-focused environment.
Establish quarterly and annual booking and solicitation goals, monitor results, and calculate bonuses.
Hold regular meetings with Hilton and sister hotels for transparent communication.
Develop strong sales managers by encouraging participation in training.
Hold managers accountable for results, monitoring bookings, lead response times, client relationships, and prospecting calls.
Execute annual reviews.
Lead marketing efforts to ensure hotels stay top-of-mind.
Ensure social media campaigns are developed and executed on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and The Knot.
Respond to social media comments to maintain a positive hotel image.
Oversee Brand and vanity websites, ensuring content, photography, and video images are current.
Work with hotel teams to develop packages, creating landing pages, banner ads, and targeting.
Develop rapport with key clients (transient, group, meeting planners).
Work with Hilton National Sales Managers to leverage client relationships.
Ensure hotels network with industry associations like MPI, ASAE, and PCMA.
Ensure hotels have a strong presence in the local community.
Hold client events regularly to showcase the property.
Monitor SALT and Meeting Planner feedback.
Develop systems to foster inter-departmental communication for outstanding events.
Actively work with the hotel to resolve client disputes.
Follow accounting processes with Yardi purchase orders and invoices.
Contribute positively to hotel culture, building rapport with team members and participating in team events.
Participate in Executive Committee meetings to steer the hotel operation according to the Olshan Properties Mission Statement.
Partner with key vendors to maintain systems like Amadeus (Delphi FDC), Cendyn, Cvent, Meeting Broker, Hilton Content Gateway, and Fourwinds Interactive.