Senior Sales Manager EMEA - London Area, United Kingdom - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Description

THE POSITION

Small Luxury Hotels of the WorldTM is seeking a highly-motivated individual as part of the global sales team with the development and implementation of global sales strategies focusing on both business and leisure travel in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The sales department is the driving force to increase revenue via the SLH channels: GDS, web, voice (VIP desks) and sales offices.

The brand enjoys an excellent position in the global luxury travel market and this role requires a good understanding of all EMEA luxury leisure markets and the main corporate markets. The ideal candidate will have a strong sales and marketing background, property-level or regional sales experience (min. 3 years), and excellent communication and presentation skills.

The position is available with immediate effect.

OVERVIEW

The Senior Sales Manager, EMEA will be responsible for the following initiatives:

Leisure Travel

• Create productive business partnerships with SLH hotels by working in tandem with General Managers, Directors of Sales and/or Marketing and Revenue Managers
• Formulate business plans, implement effective sales strategies and conduct business reviews to increase revenue for SLH hotels and the brand to drive as much revenue as possible through SLH distribution channels
• Work to agreed goals and targets to maximise profitability for the region and brand
• Maintain and grow comprehensive database of key clients in significant markets within EMEA
• Build niche database of key luxury travel clients in new and emerging markets
• Mix of database and relationship management visiting key clients
• Assist with existing and developing client relationships and new business opportunities
• Develop strategic alliances with leisure- and corporate travel trade and preferred partners in close collaboration with the trade marketing manager
• Build up a strong relationship with luxury leisure consortia partners (Virtuoso, Serandipians, Global Travel Collection etc.) and participate in workshops and other business-related events organised by them
• Work closely with the event manager to manage and conduct road shows, showcases, third party events and trade shows in EMEA
• Monitor competitive activities by constantly improving market intelligence and by implementing pro-active sales initiatives in the region
• Develop further the preferred agency programme withIN in close collaboration with the Trade Marketing & Community Manager
• Support worldwide sales- and marketing team with multiple regional sales strategies to increase brand awareness and reservations revenue
• Support the SLH brand culture across all sectors
• Deliver reports in a timely manner

Corporate Travel

• Increase production for designated corporate EMEA/UK accounts by servicing existing business relationships through: visiting on-site; conducting sales blitzes independently and with member hotels and recommending member properties in new destinations/areas of market need
• Develop and grow new accounts within the corporate market segment by creating brand awareness, building relationships with key contacts, and through recommending SLH member properties
• Drive qualified, quantifiable revenue via the SLH channels: GDS, voice and worldwide sales offices
• Manage the centralized corporate RFP programme alongside Snr. Director of Corporate Sales Worldwide based in New York, utilizing Cvent and other third-party RFP tools
• Maintain constant communication with other members of the corporate sales team in APAC and Americas to ensure total account coverage for member hotels
• Work alongside the Director of Corporate Sales and Distribution Managers to manage rate loading process
• Attend professional and industry meetings, tradeshows, and events within the EMEA/UK region to elevate brand awareness and identify potential new corporate accounts
• Establish a strong working relationship with American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) and preferred partners in the UK and participate in any relevant workshops/business related events in EMEA/UK region
• Build, maintain, and nurture relationships with existing and new member hotels, providing training and assistance as required
• Establish and maintain a consistent corporate image throughout all product lines, promotional materials, and events
• Ensure a high level of customer service to internal (SLH property) and external (corporate) clients
• Work closely with the global corporate sales team with regards to regional corporate accounts, and revenue account managers to support hotels within the corporate negotiated segment

REPORTING LINES

• Vice President of Sales, EMEA (London) with a dotted line to the Snr. Director of Corporate Sales Worldwide (NYC) for corporate sales due to global nature of some accounts
• Will work closely with Director of Sales: EMEA, DACH, APAC, the Americas East- and West Coast and the corporate sales team in New York

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Position – Specifics (both sectors)

Primary Functions:

1. Room Night/Revenue Generation: Directly responsible for reservation and revenue volume increases from the corporate, consortia and leisure travel market which includes the following sources: travel managers, corporate on-sites, corporate travel agencies for negotiated accounts as well as leisure travel agents.
2. Presentation: Effectively present the SLH brand to key corporate travel managers and leisure travel agents, during various market events and sales activities.
3. Leadership: To provide clear direction, training, and assistance to SLH member hotels, as required.
4. Strategy and Planning: Key contributor to the long-term strategy of SLH within the EMEA region
5. Analysis: Fully monitor and evaluate all activities to assess areas of market need, re-evaluate poorly performing programmes, and make recommendations for the future as well as to right-fit SLH properties.
6. Administration and Database Management: Ensure all activity is run efficiently and effectively, and within budget.
7. Policies and Procedures: Ensure adherence to SLH policies and procedures worldwide.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATOINS AND EXPERIENCES

• Experienced sales professional, with minimum of three years either on- property or regional hotel sales experience within the corporate and leisure sectors
• Excellent presentation and negotiation skills
• Fluent in English, preferably with 1 or 2 additional languages (Spanish, French, or Italian)
• Ability to perform assigned duties with attention to detail, speed, accuracy, follow- through, courtesy, cooperativeness and work with a minimum of supervision
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) and should be comfortable liaising with hotel owners, general managers and high-end clients
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and preferably Sabre/SynXis, Salesforce and Cvent
• Creative and enthusiastic with a willingness to share new ideas
• Must be flexible with working hours to ensure completion of projects
• Based in Victoria, London
• Frequent international travel (sometimes including Sat/Sun)

APPLICATIONS

• Please include a cover letter with your CV stating the reasons why you're the person for the job