Sales Manager-Holiday Inn Express

The Sales Manager is responsible for all local sales activities, accounts, and meetings in line with the annual sales and marketing plan. They work in a Smart and savvy way to achieve hotel budgets. They are creative in their approach and work towards a successful hotel sales strategy.

At Holiday Inn Express®we want our guests to relax and be themselves which means we need you to:

• Be you by being natural, professional and personable in the way you are with people
• Get ready by taking notice and using your knowledge so that you are prepared for anything
• Show you care by being thoughtful in the way you welcome and connect with guests
• Take action by showing initiative, taking ownership and going the extra mile

Financial returns:

• Monitors competitor’s activities and assists in marketing intelligence
• Aware of sales strategy and goals when selling to negotiate optimum rate for the benefit of the business
• Sells all facets of the hotel with a view to optimizing opportunities for revenue growth
• Monitors existing business and inputs into sales strategy meetings to maximize opportunities
• Grows existing business and establishes and pursues all appropriate leads
• Assesses sales and marketing data
• Stock control of collateral
• Works with Leadership team in the preparation and management of the Sales & Marketing budget
• Assist in the preparation of the annual departmental operating budget.

People:

• Manage key accounts and their hotel history
• Travel when required to promote the hotel and develop potential business
• Maintain regular contact with the IHG hotels in the immediate region and regional reservations
• Travel when required to promote the hotel and develop potential business.
• Interfaces with operations on a timely basis regarding future and existing needs for customers
• Work with other department managers to ensure proper staffing levels based on guest volume. 

Guest experience:

• Provide guests with information (example: loyalty programmes, area attractions, restaurants, facility information) to enhance guest experience. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with key clients 
• Follows Holiday Inn Express behaviours when working with internal and external customers
• Develop and maintain a regular pattern of sales calls, meeting with principals of target market
• Provides direction on, and conducts market research and analysis
• Develops and maintains contact business generators, meeting, and convention planners, visitors/convention bureau, travel agents, tour operators, airlines, corporate accounts, Government Departments and other producers closely aligned to hotel business
• Schedule conventions and/or business group activities at the hotel and coordinate with other hotel-level departments to facilitate services agreed upon by the sales office and prospective clients.
• Builds profile within local market place through attendance at appropriate events
• Entertain clients with a view to maximizing business opportunities
• Liaison with advertising agency if and when required

Responsible business:

• Ensure a safe and secure environment for guests, team members and hotel assets in compliance with hotel’s or owner’s policies and procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Develop awareness and reputation of the hotel and the brand in the local community.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 
• Acting responsibly when working with hotel budget and expenses, seeking prior approval where required.

Bachelor’s degree / higher education qualification / equivalent in marketing or related field, and three or four years’ experience in a hospitality or hotel sales and marketing setting or an equivalent combination of education and work experience. Must speak fluent English. Other languages preferred.