Sales Manager - Pre-opening

WHAT’S THE JOB?

At Regent Kuala Lumpur, we want to elevate our guests above the noise, this can only be achieved if we thoughtfully manage and connect the service processes. Every role here plays a part in that promise, bringing care and poise to the guest journey, whether guests see it directly or feel it in the quality of their stay.

The Sales Manager builds and grows Regent Kuala Lumpur's presence in the market, converting relationships into revenue across corporate, MICE, and travel trade segments. This role blends proactive sales activity with genuine relationship management, ensuring every client interaction reflects the hotel's standing as a destination of choice.

YOUR DAY TO DAY  

People

• Support the Director of Sales in the preparation and management of the department's budget
• Manage day-to-day sales activities and build relationships with team members
• Build clear, open lines of communication with intra-departmental colleagues
• Build a team with different opinions, skills, experiences, and backgrounds, leveraging personal, cultural, and functional differences to optimise team performance
• Create an environment that trains, develops, coaches, and mentors team members

Financial

• Maintain files, records, and reports relating to budgets, contacts, planning activities, timelines, contracts, purchase orders, and post-meeting notes, completing forecasts, plans, and productivity reports for management
• Participate in the preparation of the annual departmental operating budget and financial plans, monitoring budget and upselling products and services while minimising waste to increase revenue
• Negotiate room prices, sell USPs and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines
• Monitor local competitors and compare their operations, keeping aware of trends, systems, practices, and equipment through trade literature, hotel shows, and site visits
• Solicit business and follow up on referrals and potential sales leads
• Maintain regular contact with IHG regional hotels and reservation networks
• Attend trade shows and sell conference space when directed

Sales Activities

• Monitor competitor activity and contribute to marketing intelligence
• Refer sales leads to appropriate personnel within IHG
• Sell to new, existing, and prospective customers in line with the sales strategy, negotiating optimum rates for the benefit of the business
• Service existing business through management of account bases, selling all facets of the hotel
• Manage the corporate head office and preferred hotel history for each account
• Develop and maintain a regular pattern of sales calls, meeting with principals of target markets
• Conduct market research and analysis, providing direction based on findings
• Develop and maintain contact with business generators, meeting and convention planners, visitor/convention bureaux, travel agents, tour operators, airlines, corporate accounts, government departments, and other producers closely allied to hotel business
• Build profile within the local marketplace through attendance at events and industry gatherings
• Conduct client interviews and entertain clients as part of relationship-building
• Plan and conduct familiarisation tours and site inspections
• Travel as required to promote the hotel and develop potential business

Responsible Business

• Develop awareness and reputation of the hotel and the brand within the local community
• Coordinate safety and security initiatives to ensure meetings flow smoothly with minimal interruptions or problems
• Coach and advise clients on meeting options and alternatives that reduce waste, save energy, and minimise environmental impact
• Perform other duties as assigned; may also serve as manager on duty

Accountabilities

• Achievement of meeting room and overall sales targets across the allocated market segment
• Strong guest and client experience scores across every managed account
• Growth and retention of a qualified corporate, MICE, and travel trade account base
• Timely, accurate sales reporting, forecasting, and account documentation

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU  

• To thrive in this role and bring poise and precision to the guest journey, you'll need:
• Minimum 3 years' sales experience in a 4- or 5-star hotel property
• Hospitality degree or equivalent
• Excellent customer relations, problem-solving, and time management skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Opera Sales
• Proven ability to create new business opportunities
• Assertive, professional, and positive, with a proven ability to thrive in a team environment
• Valid driver's licence preferred
• Fluent English required; other languages an advantage