Senior Group Sales Manager

Sonesta Hotels•Bee Cave, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Sonesta International Hotels is the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S., rapidly growing with a diverse portfolio of over 1000 properties in eight countries. The company focuses on delivering service with passion and creating connecting experiences. The Senior Group Sales Manager is responsible for representing Sonesta to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This role involves developing and executing sales activities within an assigned market, listening to customer needs, analyzing information, and creating tailored proposals. The manager will negotiate and close sales to meet or exceed sales targets, ensuring quality and timely service. This is a fully on-site position where the Senior Group Sales Manager develops strategy, initiates business account interest, and solicits and negotiates contracts for hotel business within specific assigned markets. They are responsible for developing sales plans to meet or exceed room night and revenue goals, managing account details, and ensuring all aspects of solicitation and closing are complete and documented. The role also involves communicating with operations departments, participating in account servicing, formulating programs, submitting formal sales proposals, leading on-site inspections, entertaining customers, and performing outside sales calls to generate leads. The Senior Group Sales Manager will attend trade shows/events and make personal calls on customers, which may involve travel within the United States.

Requirements

A four-year college degree in hospitality management, marketing, business or related degree or equivalent experience.
Three or more years of sales-related experience.
Ability to travel locally and overnight, work weekends as needed.
Ability to communicate in English both verbally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with hospitality industry practices and/or hotel experience in hospitality sales, conference planning or convention skills preferred.
A strong understanding of the Austin / Bee Cave, TX market is also highly preferred.
Knowledge of Delphi preferred.

Responsibilities

Establishes client base of organizations, associations, and social businesses through direct outside and inside sales effort for the purpose of securing business for the hotel to ensure that predetermined sales expectations are met or exceeded.
Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
Solicit new and existing accounts to meet/exceed revenue goals through telephone solicitation, outside sales calls, site inspections, and written communication.
Attend trade shows, community events, and industry meetings.
Initiate and follow up on leads.
Maintain and participate in an active sales solicitation program.
Participate in the daily business review meetings, pre-convention meetings, training, and other sales-related meetings as required.
Attend all hotel required meetings and training.
Operate the Sales Department within the established sales expense budget.
Develop/maintain knowledge of market trends, competition, and customers.
Meet or exceed set goals.
Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous, and service-oriented manner.
Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Sonesta standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming.
Develop a complete knowledge of company sales policies and SOP's, and ensure knowledge of and adherence to those policies by the sales team.
Ability to assess/evaluate employee’s performance fairly.
Perform other duties as requested by management.
Participate in required M.O.D. and Saturday office coverage if required by the hotel.
Perform job functions with attention to detail, speed, and accuracy.
Prioritize, organize and follow up.
Be a clear thinker, remaining calm in resolving problems using good judgment.
Follow directions thoroughly.
Understand guests’ needs.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Adhere to Sonesta grooming standards.
Uphold and exemplify Sonesta G.U.E.S.T Sonesta Standards.
Work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team.
Work with minimal supervision.
Maintain confidentiality of guest and associates information and pertinent hotel data.
Work well under the pressure of organizing and attaining production schedules and timelines.
Maintain complete knowledge of and comply with all departmental, divisional, and hotel policies, procedures, and standards.
Maintain complete knowledge of correct maintenance and use of equipment. Use equipment only as intended.
Anticipate guests’ needs and respond promptly to guests’ requests.
Maintain positive guest relations at all times.
Resolve guest complaints ensuring guest satisfaction.
Be familiar with all Hotel services/features and local attractions/activities to respond to guest inquiries accurately.
Monitor and maintain cleanliness, sanitation and organization of assigned work areas.