Luxury and Consortia Travel Sales Manager

Sage Hospitality•Chicago, IL

18d•$65,000 - $75,000

About The Position

Actively sells to consortia and travel industry segments with the goal to meet and exceed hotel revenue goals. This role is responsible for managing the relationship of travel industry and consortia accounts located locally and nationally and working with the Hotel brand leaders and channels. Effectively communicates internally and externally through various methods and across all departments. The primary intent is to drive revenue for the hotel in all leisure segments.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree preferred.
One year minimum in luxury sales, customer service-related position or hotel experience.
Requires knowledge of general sales techniques. Requires yield management experience.
Requires highly developed customer service skills.
Understand and follow verbal/written instructions.
Requires multi-tasking and the ability to work on more than one task at a time.
Develop strong internal and customer relationships.
Set and manage priorities and plan activities in advance.
Solve problems and make sound business decisions.
Respond to coaching, feedback and training.
Strong and effective sales skills.
Excellent mathematical skills, including basic math, budgeting, profit/loss concepts, percentages, and variances
Sitting 85%, Walking 5%, Standing 5%, bending, kneeling, lifting, climbing 5%
Lifting and carrying of objects, 30-35 pounds
Must be able to communicate with other associates and customers.
Mobility -limited mobility between offices and departments. No continuous standing, climbing or driving.
Excellent reading and effective writing abilities for completing paperwork and management reports, giving and receiving instructions, review and preparation of all documentation and training.

Responsibilities

Proactively prospects and solicits, working all accounts to produce the highest greatest amount of revenue possible in line with yield management practices, providing a high level of service to build strong relationships and repeat business.
Leads by example and holds self-accountable for goals and revenue production, creative selling strategies and client engagement.
Produces reports on a timely basis.
Positive interaction and providing information to other hotel departments to ensure smooth customer service experiences and delivering on promises.
Achievement of a minimum of 90% of productivity goals and 100% of activity goals, as established by management.
Participants in revenue management discussions and stays aligned with hotel’s overall goals.
Shows initiative, proactive approach and can work independently.
Targets results-oriented high revenue potential sales calls to ensure a successful direct sales program, in accordance with goals established by department budget and marketing plan.
Strategically works with GSOs to ensure maximizing opportunities to communicate with travel managers, agents and travelers with new and existing accounts.
Uses negotiating skills and creative selling abilities to close on business and negotiate contracts when necessary.
Develops contracts and correspondence, manages opportunity details and proactively develops customer solutions.
Understands the overall market – competitor’s strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand etc. and knows how to sell against them.
Captures competitor's accounts through networking, research and Hotelligence reports to target and solicit those most probable to generate new business. Acquires referrals from existing accounts: Follows up on all leads within 24 hours of receipt to create new business for the hotel, and, when appropriate, sends leads to other Sage hotels.
Continually targets and prospects for new business using individual creativity and innovation.
Works closely with Revenue Manager and Director of Sales and Marketing to agree upon pricing/rates and create packages to meet hotel revenue goals.
Understands revenue management functions and account profitability.
Maintains well-documented, accurate, organized and up-to-date file management system to serve client and employer in the most expedient, organized and knowledgeable manner.
Develops strong customer relationships through frequent communication and the use of professional, courteous and ethical interpersonal interaction.
Develops customer profiles and maintains an effective system utilizing GXP to best meet client needs, resulting in superior account service and increased revenues. Follows-up on customer inquiries in an efficient and expedient manner.
Keeps GSOs updated on all property news and account production and seeks assistance to bring customers to see the property.
Conducts research, surveys, personal investigation and studies marketplace and territory to effectively capitalize on the hotel's strengths and competitor's weaknesses and capabilities.
Create campaigns and promotional offers that use brand messaging and highlights product differentiators in an effective presentation.
Focuses on revenue-producing activity and maximizes selling time by dedicating over 50% of work time on direct sales efforts.
Professionalism: Controls expenses while traveling on the property's behalf to minimize department and hotel costs.
Represents themselves, the hotel with the highest level of integrity and professionalism, a service-focused approach, and a caring, sincere attitude always. Exhibits a positive and involved team attitude to all hotel departments and maintains open communications with all co-workers for the best overall performance of the hotel. Displays a neat, clean, and business-like appearance always.