Senior Sales Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Sales Manager functions as a senior business leader within the property's Sales department, combining strategic vision with hands-on account management excellence. This role proactively develops strong customer relationships to position and market the property while providing mentorship and day-to-day guidance to on-property Sales associates. The Senior Sales Manager implements the brand's strategy and applicable brand initiatives in all aspects of the sales process and focuses on building long-term, value-based customer relationships that enable achievement of the hotel's sales objectives. This position bridges tactical execution and departmental leadership, making it ideal for a high-performing sales professional ready to grow into a Director of Sales role.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Executes the sales strategy and ensures individual booking goals are met for the on-property Sales team.
• Proactively participates in hotel direct sales efforts by conducting sales calls for assigned accounts and with members of the on-property Sales team.
• Evaluates the property's participation in the various sales channels (OTA, Group, brand.com, RFP, etc.) and recommends optimization strategies.
• Attends Sales strategy meetings to provide input on weekly and overall sales strategy.
• Suggests innovative Sales and Marketing ideas and proactively develops deployment strategies to continue to grow market share.
• Participates in business planning with the Revenue Management and Sales Support team.
• Interfaces with Revenue Management and Sales Support team to execute the PSR and Sales and Marketing quarterly action plans.
• Reviews the Smith Travel Research STAR report, competitive shopping reports, and uses other resources to maintain an awareness of the hotel's market position.
• Researches competitor's Sales team strategies to identify ways to grow RevPAR and increase market share.
• Provides customer intelligence in evaluating the market and economic trends that may lead to changes in sales strategy.
• Serves as the Sales contact for the General Manager, Revenue Management, Sales Support team, and Catering Sales leaders.
• Serves as the Sales contact for customers; serves as the customer advocate throughout the sales process.
• Serves as the property Sales liaison with Marriott/Hilton National Group Sales and National Accounts.
• Executes and supports the operational aspects of business booked (e.g., generating proposals, writing contracts, customer correspondence).
• Executes exemplary customer service to drive customer satisfaction and loyalty by monitoring customer needs before and during their program or event.
• Gains understanding of the hotel's primary target customer and service expectations; applies that knowledge to offer better business solutions.
• Monitors the effective resolution of guest issues that arise as a result of the sales process and channels them to appropriate stakeholders.
• Verifies that the property implements a seamless turnover from Sales to Operations.
• Develops strong partnerships with local organizations to further increase brand and product awareness.
• Develops strong community and public relations by supporting property participation in local, regional, and national tradeshows and client events.
• Maintains successful performance by increasing revenues and controlling expenses.
• Develops strategic working relationships with leaders of these sales channels in order to proactively position and drive sales to the property.
• Verifies the Sales team is leveraging brand demand engines to full potential.
• Develops quarterly bonus Key Sales Objectives (KSO) and individual sales action plans.
• Supports the development and oversight of the Sales department budget in partnership with the GM.
• Provides mentorship and day-to-day leadership guidance to on-property Sales Coordinators and junior Sales associates.
• Sets career development goals and reviews performance for direct reports.
• Addresses performance issues and holds team accountable for successful results.
• Verifies that effective structures, processes, jobs and performance management systems are in place and in practice.
• Champions leadership development and workforce planning priorities by assessing, selecting, retaining and developing diverse, high-caliber talent.
• Forecasts talent needs and manages talent acquisition strategy to minimize lost time due to turnover.
• Keeps an active awareness of the competition's top sales talent and supports a recruitment and acquisition pipeline.
• Executes and supports the brand's standards and daily service basics.
• Maintains open and effective communication with team members and management at all levels.
• Attends and participates in team meetings and brand strategy sessions.
• Adheres to established safety and emergency procedures and protocols, this includes Company, federal, and state specific regulations and guidelines.
• Completes all required Company training/compliance courses as assigned.
• Maintains a professional appearance in accordance with Company standards.
• Attendance is a key component of this position.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

EDUCATION

• Associate's degree from an accredited university in business administration, marketing, hotel and restaurant management, or equivalent experience in a related field.

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of three (3) years of progressive experience in hotel sales required.
• A minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or team leadership experience in hotel sales required.
• A minimum of one (1) year as a Sales Manager at a branded hotel strongly preferred.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversees and coordinates the department's activities, with a focus on supervisory and organizational goals. While a portion of the time may involve performing tasks similar to those of direct reports, the primary responsibilities are related to management, mentorship, and coordination. Analyzes and resolves issues, establishes work methods, ensures regulatory compliance, and maintains productivity. Uses judgment within established procedures and policies to make appropriate decisions and take necessary actions.

Specific supervisory duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Determines and creates policies, procedures, and manuals for direct reports.
• Establishes objectives and goals for the team.
• Assigns, monitors, and reviews work; evaluates direct report's performance.
• Recruits, interviews, and onboards team members.
• Orientates and trains new hires.
• Issues corrective action and makes recommendations for termination.
• Investigates and resolves concerns and complaints.
• Creates department work schedules.
• Approves time records and time off requests.
• Proactively assesses risk and establishes systems to protect organizational assets.
• Ensures compliance with safety regulations.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

• This position does not require licenses or certifications.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

This position requires the capability to understand and follow both oral and written directions, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with others in English and interact successfully with internal and external customers.

• Experience working within Marriott and/or Hilton brand systems (e.g., CI/TY, Delphi, OnQ, SalesPro) preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of meeting or exceeding individual and team booking goals.
• Proficient in time management; the ability to effectively organize and manage multiple priorities.
• Emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships with team members at all levels.
• Skilled in building and motivating a team, fostering a collaborative environment and inspiring high performance.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Performs well with frequent interruptions and/or distractions.
• Understands how to develop and implement business strategies.
• Ability to interpret and create policies, procedures, and manuals.
• Able to communicate appropriately and effectively with all levels of management and external stakeholders.
• Ability to effectively listen, understand, and resolve challenges and concerns from management, team members, and/or customers (internal/external).
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to include coaching, counseling, and mentoring.
• Able to identify and seize revenue-generating opportunities while effectively managing costs and resources.
• Visionary mindset, capable of developing and executing a comprehensive business strategy that aligns with brand identity and exceeds guest expectations.
• Knowledge of key industry trends, best practices, regulations, and the current industry landscape.
• Proven ability to drive revenue growth, optimize costs, and achieve financial targets.
• Able to engage diplomatically and effectively with third party operators and owners, empathizing, and reacting appropriately to partner feedback and helping resolve issues where necessary.
• Proficient in public speaking.
• Basic math skills.
• Proficient in Google Docs/Microsoft Word.
• Proficient in Google Sheets/Microsoft Excel.
• Proficient in Google Slides/Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Proficient in Gmail/Microsoft Outlook.
• Ability to adjust effectively to evolving work environments and shifting customer (internal/external) requirements.
• Able to maintain a positive and professional working environment.
• Fosters a culture of excellence.
• Able to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment and support diversity and inclusion within the organization.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Up to 10%

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Specifically, when the amount of climbing exceeds that needed for ordinary motion.
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling and walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. Specifically, when the amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary motion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Specifically, if it is to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks. Specifically, for long distances or moving from one work site to another often.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Specifically, if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.
• Hands to Fingers: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Close Vision: Clear vision at 20 inches or less. Required to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading or visual inspections.
• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a minor amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• None: No exposure to adverse environmental conditions (typical office/administrative setting).

DISCLAIMER

This job description provides a general overview of the work performed, including the typical responsibilities and level of duties associated with this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of tasks or obligations for any individual team member. This description does not alter the employment relationship between the Company and its team members.

The Essential Job Functions, Physical Requirements, and Work Environment characteristics outlined are intended to reflect the requirements needed to perform the essential functions of this role effectively. Management retains the authority to modify, adjust, or revoke job duties and responsibilities as needed, and to make reasonable accommodations to enable qualified team members to fulfill the essential functions of their roles.

The Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are made based on merit, qualifications, and business needs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status/characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.