Director of Sales

Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a rapidly expanding presence in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate's portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $20B and generates over $5B in cumulative revenues. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate also has the creativity and bandwidth to develop bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry-leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive out performance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry's most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle.

The Director of Sales is primarily responsible for sealing, leading, driving, top line revenue strategy for segments to include all market groups, volume transient, BT & catering. The individual is additionally responsible for staying ahead of market trends, market share movement and ongoing competitive hotel analysis, while directing the property teams (rooms) to ensure budgeted revenues are met or exceeded. The Director of Sales is also responsible for managing the sales and marketing budget that supports revenue attainment.

Responsible for leading & driving top line revenue for traditional sales segments to include group, volume transient & catering.
• Assesses & reacts to market trends, market share & the competitive hotel environment.
• Act as the hotel's voice of the customer and communicate key issues/concerns at all levels of the organization.
• Fluent in reading/assimilating/using Smith Travel Research data, financial P&L, mix of sales, forecasting, group pace/position & a wide array of traditional hotel reporting.
• Ability to understand and communicate market trends, demand generators, supply/demand and economic factors affecting hotel performance.
• Conduct comprehensive competitive set reviews, SWOT analysis & keep tabs on new supply.
• Understand GEO source & ability to develop a plan to penetrate the primary markets.
• Develop/implement key segment strategy & managing key accounts (both existing & target).
• Design effective sales deployment schemes & market assignments.
• Develop sales goals designed to achieve budget & market share targets.
• Manage group pace measurement and set sales production goals.
• Manage sales activity & travel schedule.
• Attend daily Highgate Hotel Business Review (HHBR) meeting.
• Develop a full working knowledge of the operations of the hotel, including, Guest Services and Reservations.
• Develop a complete knowledge of company sales policies and SOP's, and ensure knowledge of and adherence to those policies by the sales team.
• Meet or exceed set goals.
• Make or exceed assigned monthly/quarterly and annual revenue goals
• Operate the Sales Department within established sales expense budget.
• Participate in required M.O.D. and weekend office coverage as scheduled.
• Initiate and follow up on leads.
• Maintain and participate in an active sales solicitation program.
• Monitor production of all top accounts and evaluate trends within your market.
• Regularly contact existing accounts based on the tracing frequencies of the Account Coverage Program.
• Invite clients to the hotel for tours and site inspections.
• Be familiar with all Highgate Hotel sales policies and selling techniques with an emphasis on maximizing occupancy and Average Daily Rate (ADR).
• Conduct a professional, thorough site inspection of the hotel with clients, exhibiting key features and benefits of the property.
• Use your property's computerized sales management system to manage the hotel's business, including (but not limited to) generating reports, entering business, blocking space and building accounts.
• Meet and greet onsite contacts.
• Abide by Prime Selling Time (PST).
• Develop networking opportunities through active participation in community and professional associations, activities and events.
• Entertain clients.
• Handle inquiries as part of Inquiry Day Program.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Marketing.
• At least 3 years' experience as a sales leader, with prior hotel sales experience.
• Experience dealing with/communicating with ownership groups and asset management.
• Proficient in managing/using PMS systems.
• Experience working collaboratively with revenue management.
• Computer knowledge/skills required.

Physical requirements:

• Flexible and long hours sometimes required.
• Light work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

General Requirements

• Delphi experience preferred
• Must be skilled in Windows, Company approved spreadsheets and word processing.
• Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
• Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing nametags.
• Well rounded knowledge of all market segments and channel sources, as well as ability to develop a strategic plan for each.
• Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
• Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.

Salary $90K