Director Sales and Marketing | The Residence Zanzibar

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To oversee and manage sales staff and reservation to ensure maximum revenue, promotional coverage and marketing opportunities are achieved
• The DOSM should work closely with revenue management and marketing functions, to develop strategies to maximise REVPAR and grow market share

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain and promote a team work environment with effective and clear communication amongst co-workers.
• Ensure best client service is being made available through communication amongst the team, cross training within the department and appropriate office coverage.
• Works with sales managers to ensure 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 and the market for the segment led by the DOS.
• Set example through professional, friendly attitude towards clients and co-workers, timely response to clients and co-workers needs and observance of sales office standard.
• Ensure hotel meets or exceeds budgeted goals.
• Follow and track company cross-sell procedures.
• Utilize company profile database to determine geographic areas for travel agent calls while maintaining top and existing travel agent accounts.
• Organize travel agent month and travel agent appreciation rates for slow months.
• Assists with the development and implementation of promotions, both internal and external.
• Creating a focus on attracting new business.
• Attending and contributing to the monthly sales strategy meeting
• Updating and owning the sales strategy & sales plan with the General Manager.
• Review and approves any special corporate negotiated rates by signing the CVGR (Company Volume guaranteed rate) contract.
• Provides positive and aggressive leadership to ensure maximum revenue potential (e.g., sets example with personal booking goals).
• Leads on-property sales functions to build long-term, value-based customer relationships that enable achievement of hotel sales objectives.
• Recommends monthly room nights target goals for sales team members.
• Participates in sales calls with members of sales team to acquire new business and/or close on business.
• Develop and send informative press releases to targeted lists highlighting all activities and promotions.
• Maintain and expand corporate incentive program via direct mail, personal visits etc.
• Oversee and ensure the updating of rates, promotions on hotel website, OTA's (Online travel agents), GDS etc. without any rate parity.
• Responsible for the training of sales managers and staff.
• Follow and promote hotel standards with guests, co-workers.
• Evaluates and drives the hotel’s participation in the various sales channels, Market Sales, Event Booking Centers, electronic lead channels, etc.
• Monitors all day to day activities of direct reports.
• Executes and supports the operational aspects of business booked (e.g., generating proposal, writing contract, customer correspondence).

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of Global market
• Knowledge of hospitality
• Selling through Email and person to person
• Rapport developing skills
• Maximize revenues for the resort
• Revenue management and business analysis using brand platforms and methodologies
• Negotiation Skills and experience with contracting
• Organization and Leadership Skills
• Written and Verbal Communication Skills
• High end travel agencies, Wholesale partners
• Travel agents, MICE planners, Corporate business
• Proven track record in luxury hotel sales.
• Positive attitude and willing to learn is a must.
• This position requires an applicant with a flexible schedule and the ability to work all shifts, weekends and holidays.
• Commitment to delivering a high level of customer service
• Excellent grooming standards
• Flexibility to respond to a range of different work situations
• Ability to work under pressure and under own initiative
• Experience in a sales role with a proven track record to close a sale
• Passion for sales and for achieving targets and objectives

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Marketing and equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years in similar position handling the Global market
• Indian Ocean experience will be added advantage.