Senior Travel Industry Sales Manager

SALAMANDER CHARLESTON EMPLOYER LLC•Charleston, SC

About The Position

Directs the property’s Travel Industry Sales function and ensures that production goals and client expectations are met. Selectively sells Travel Industry business in the interest of maximizing guest rooms and food and beverage revenue. Develops and implements sales and marketing programs and strategies for the Travel Industry segment.

Requirements

4-year bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major
3 years experience in luxury hotel sales in a sales management position handling the leisure transient market.

Responsibilities

Directs the property’s Travel Industry Sales function verifying that client expectations and production goals are met. This includes maintaining the entire transient market including packages, wholesale, business travel accounts, entertainment and consortias: Virtuoso, Signature Travel Network, American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, Ensemble, Altour, AAA, Travel Leaders, etc.
Works with sales leader to promote understanding of sales strategy and effective implementation of this strategy for the segment.
Works with management team to create and implement a sales plan addressing revenue, customers for the segment
Actively contributes and participates in weekly revenue strategy meetings alongside the Executive and revenue team
Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of market segments by analyzing historical data, trends, flights, comp. set intelligence, shops
Assists with the development and implementation of promotions, both internal and external.
Actively participate where necessary on all special projects/events such as Site Inspections, Familiarization (FAM) trips, etc.
Partners with Revenue team to conceptualize and implement strategic focused initiatives, campaigns and packages
Plans and participates in Sales trips and industry related meetings.
Participates in departmental sales meetings, relevant operational meetings and pre-cons.
Establish and maintain strong relationships with CVB and SC Tourism organizations to draw awareness and ensure hotel is being represented in an accurate and effective way
Sells the hotel to the leisure market and constantly keeps the hotel in the minds of the travel agents and customers
Provides positive and aggressive leadership to promote maximum revenue potential (e.g., sets example with personal booking goals).
Actively contribute and participate in weekly revenue strategy meeting alongside the Executive team
Directs the solicitation and business negotiation efforts to maximize room revenue and achieve sales goals.
Analyze and evaluate effective market trends to identify new business opportunities and re-direct business from competitors
Promotes the property’s inclusion into national and international accounts through tour wholesale operations, travel agent consortiums and airline operations.
Monitors all day to day activities of direct reports.
Participates in sales calls with members of sales team to acquire new business and/or close on business.
Partners with the marketing and NSO to plan and direct a comprehensive marketing programs to promote the property as a viable destination for travel industry market segments.
Selectively sells Travel Industry business in the interest of maximizing guest rooms and food and beverage revenue.
Develops and implements sales and marketing programs and strategies for the Travel Industry Sales market.
Analyzes market information by using sales systems and implements strategy to achieve property’s financial room goals.
Assists Revenue Management with completing financial projections.
Reviews sales and guest satisfaction results to identify areas of improvement.
Develops and executes the annual Sales plan for the assigned market
Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of market segments by analyzing historical data, trend, flights and visitors traffic
Analyze and evaluate effective market trends to identify new business opportunities and re-direct business from competitors
Displays leadership in guest hospitality, exemplifies customer service and creates a positive example for guest relations.
Interacts with guests and clientsto obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.
Empowers employees to provide excellent customer service.
Observes service behaviors of employees and provides feedback to individuals.
Incorporates guest satisfaction as a component of department meetings with a focus on continuous improvement.
Demonstrates commitment to Salamander Hotels & Resorts operating principles and philosophies.
Serves the clients by understanding their needs and recommending the appropriate features and services that best meet their needs and exceed their expectations, while building a relationship and loyalty to the company.
Develops and manages relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external.
Works collaboratively with off-property sales channels (e.g., , NSO) to verify the property needs are being achieved and the sales efforts are complementary, not duplicative.
Attends customer events, trade shows and sales missions to maintain, build or develop key relationships with NSO leaders and customers.
Maintains positive and cooperative relationships with area hotels and attraction general managers, working closely with hotel GMs/Directors of Sales and other members of the city’s hospitality industry on coordinated sales efforts.
Focus on cultivating relationships with key luxury travel agencies and Consortias.
Stimulate new business for the leisure and transient market segments for the hotel including but not limited to Wholesale, Consortia and local BT. Responsibilities include targeting and securing new accounts nationally and internationally through strategic planning, attending travel and trade show related activities.