Director of Sales

Virgin Hotels Central Services LLC•New Orleans, LA

17d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Sales is the visionary for the rainmakers. Through the usual functions they lead direct sales solicitation, book the most profitable business and exude excellent communication and leadership skills. This is a tall order- we need a vibrant, creative, and passionate individual for the development of business to set the hotel up for success. Cool under pressure and specializing in problem solving, the Director of Sales is a titan of the industry involved in networking organizations and a proud representative of Virgin Hotels. Through their untouched relationships they have a pulse on supply, demand and market fluctuations. The hotel’s profitability is top priority as is creating a culture of passion, inclusiveness and teamwork.

Requirements

Current, legal and unrestricted ability to work in the United States.
Candidates must have previous hospitality experience. Hospitality could encompass; hotels, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and other event spaces.
Minimum 5 years of previous sales as well as supervisory experience.
Ability to clearly and pleasantly communicate in English with clients, guests, vendors, teammates/management, in person, in writing and on the telephone.
Proficient in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Great team player with the ability to create excellent working relationships across the group. Collaborative approach with all departments, particularly food & beverage and of course, the sales & marketing and events team.
Ability to break down barriers and resolving potential conflicts swiftly and effortlessly
Strong communication and presentation skills to all levels of management
Creativity and innovation are essential!
Ability to think outside the box and approach all issues with a completely fresh approach
Ability to anticipate needs and over deliver wherever possible
Candidates must think on their feet and use their initiative to solve problems and deliver solutions
Excellent customer relations, communication, presentation and organization skills of utmost importance
Comply with all safety and health department procedures, as well as, all state and federal liquor laws.
Able to change direction and work on multiple project aspects at once
Enthusiastic, passionate, able to enthuse and motivate others
Leadership ability and behavior consistent with Virgin Hotels Core Values: Fun, innovative, original and personable, and striving to deliver high quality and brilliant customer service
Local market expertise (5 years preferred) and existing key client relationships

Responsibilities

Supervise the Sales and Catering team. Motivate continuously and focus on education. Weekly Virgin Hotels’ educational sessions will be created and presented. The team is measured on performance and the Director of Sales is to guide and foster them to ensure revenue goals are being met.
Oversee the team is booking the most profitable business (rate, date, space commitments) for guest rooms, event space and encompassing the proper mix of business at the hotel.
Reporting is to be organized in conjunction with Director of Revenue Management. This includes annual and monthly forecast, sales & marketing annual plans and budget, STAR report and analysis. Lead team meetings, Marketing Committee meetings and co-facilitate REVMAX meetings (minutes taken for all). This is done to ensure the team is achieving budgeted revenues and goals and maximizing profitability.
Sales plans by segment including target accounts will be prepared quarterly and continuously reviewed by the team. The Director of Sales is to ensure each strategy is being met and/or alternate creative solutions are prepared to increase occupancy and/or rate.
Work closely with Catering on menu pricing, food and beverage minimums and event facility standards. Upselling encouraged and finding ways to drive measurable incremental occupancy/rates are vital.
Coordinate ongoing research of the travel industry to detect market trends. Review monthly reports and sales forecasts to analyze current/potential market and sales trends, coordinate activities to increase revenue and market share and monitor performance to ensure actual sales meet or exceed established revenue plan. Ensure team has the information, data and tools to successfully carry out job duties.
Encourage and oversee creation of client events, prospecting blitzes and targeted marketing campaigns to showcase the hotel. Attend trade shows and major market events locally and nationally to promote new business and increase sales and marketing opportunities for the hotel. Coordinate and encourage cross-selling to other Virgin Hotels and other Virgin brands.
Lead local marketing efforts to highlight hotel services and amenities. Excel and educate in the Virgin Hotels’ tone of voice and style standards. Identify operational challenges that reduce the effectiveness of marketing activities and overall hotel sales performance and work with appropriate department on solutions.
Develop awareness and reputation of the hotel and the brand in the local community. Remember, you are a proud representative of Virgin Hotels and encompass the enthusiasm of the brand. Work closely with key business leaders, officials and representatives of local community (including convention & tourism bureau) to ensure constant high-profile exposure for the hotel.
Manage team’s workflow through Delphi system. Communicate with Director of Revenue Management and General Manager to ensure pricing is appropriate and adjust selling strategies as needed.