Area Director of Business Travel

Why us?

Sage Hospitality Group is looking to hire an Area Director of Business Travel to join us overseeing the Westin Washington D.Cc City Center, The Alexandrian, and The Morrison House Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection

A modern, luxury hotel in the heart of our nation's history, The Westin Washington, D.C. City Center is a dynamic hotel in one of the world's most iconic destinations: downtown Washington D.C. Our Hotel is just five blocks from the White House, a short walk to the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Memorial, and close to all the best restaurants and bars the city center has to offer.

Few neighborhoods in the country are as charming as Virginia's Old Town Alexandria, and there's no better way to experience it than staying at The Alexandrian. This historic hotel in Alexandria is a refined urban retreat that blends modern luxury, celebrated flair, and local spirit to create an authentic escape that's connected to the city itself. Savor delicious comfort food at King & Rye, sip a cup of coffee or a cocktail in the beautiful courtyard, unwind in your luxuriously appointed room or suite, and explore the area's best shopping and dining — just moments away. Everything you need for a memorable experience at a luxury hotel in Alexandria VA.

Famous for its historic past, Morrison House is a charming, 45-room Federalist-style hotel near Old Town's waterfront. Located a block from King Street, one of the "Great Streets" in America, our charming hotel is near the restaurants and boutiques that are sprinkled among historic sites and museums. Stay and be inspired by the history and vibrancy of your surroundings.

As part of Sage Hospitality Group, we passionately strive to be the best and create excellence in everything we do. We believe in enriching lives one experience at a time. More than a slogan, we empower our employees to make positive impacts on the communities in which we live and work. By providing genuine service we build relationships with our guests and value for our shareholders, and we create unforgettable experiences.

We are looking for independent thinkers. Those who harness their entrepreneurial spirit so that it breaks preconceived notions. We're not afraid to forge our own path. After all, it's what industry leaders do. That's why we welcome risk takers and creative spirits alike. No matter your daily role, Sage recognizes that your success is about more than the work you do—it's really about who you are, which is why we invest in your personal and professional growth. Join our team

Job Overview

Actively sells and leads business travel to meet and exceed revenue goals by developing new accounts and growing existing hotel accounts with a profitable and win-win selling approach. Manages accounts with corporate travel throughout the year and negotiates rates for those accounts which travel on a consistent basis. The Director will manage travel industry and wholesale accounts that book both business and leisure travel. The Director is responsible for managing the relationship of corporate and travel industry accounts located locally and nationally and working with the Hotel brand channels. The primary intent is to drive revenue for the hotel in all transient business and leisure segments.

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Proactively prospecting and soliciting, working all accounts to produce the highest greatest amount of revenue possible in line with yield management practices, providing a high level of service to build strong relationships and repeat business, and ensuring that deadlines for RFPs, contracts and client needs are met promptly.
• Exercises self-accountability and leads by example.
• Achieves revenue goal by also implementing creative selling strategies and wow site inspections.
• Produces reports on a timely basis and as requested hotel leadership and management
• Positive interaction and providing information to other hotel departments to ensure smooth customer service experiences and delivering on promises.
• Achieves a minimum of 90% of productivity goals and 100% of activity goals, as established by leadership and management.
• Participants in revenue management discussions and stays aligned with hotel's overall goals.
• Shows initiative, proactive approach and can work independently.

Direct Sales

• Targets results-oriented high revenue potential sales calls to ensure a successful direct sales program, in accordance with goals established by department budget and marketing plan.
• Key account management while maximizing current hotel key accounts by identifying and capturing those that offer revenue growth.
• Strategically works with brand GSOs to ensure maximizing opportunities to communicate with travel managers, agents and travelers with new and existing accounts.
• Uses negotiating skills and creative selling abilities to close on business and negotiate contracts.
• Develops contracts and correspondence, manages opportunity details and proactively develops customer solutions.
• Understands the overall market – competitor's strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand etc. and knows how to sell against them.

New Account Development

• Captures competitor's accounts through networking, research and TravelClick Hotelligence reports to target and solicit those most probable to generate new business. Acquires referrals from existing accounts: Follows up on all leads within 24 hours of receipt to create new business for the hotel, and, when appropriate, sends leads to other Sage hotels.
• Plans and implements an on-going Targeted Account Development "hit list" to create new revenue and acquire valuable hotel contacts, and contracts.
• Continually targets and prospects for new business through telemarketing, individual creativity and innovation.

Revenue Management

• Utilizes yield management techniques by profitably negotiating room rates and function space commitments to enhance the hotel's financial performance.
• Works closely with the Revenue Manager and Director of Sales and Marketing to set rates and create packages to meet hotel revenue goals.
• Understands revenue management functions and account profitability.
• Exhibits financial management skills e.g., ability to analyze P&L statements and forecasting

Account Service and Management

• Maintains well-documented, accurate, organized and up-to-date file management system to serve client and employer in the most expedient, organized and knowledgeable manner. Develops strong customer relationships through frequent communication and the use of professional, courteous and ethical interpersonal interaction.
• Develops customer profiles and maintains an effective trace system, including trace dates and references, to best meet client needs, resulting in superior account service and increased revenues. Promptly follows-up on all customer needs and inquiries in an efficient and expedient manner.
• Keeps GSOs updated on all property news and account production and seeks assistance to bring customers to see the property.
• Manage in house guests the arrivals knowledge, client entertainment and interaction on site.

Product Knowledge

• Conducts research, surveys, personal investigation and studies marketplace and territory in order to effectively capitalize on the hotel's strengths and competitor's weaknesses and capabilities.
• Creates campaigns and promotional offers that use brand messaging and highlights product differentiators in an effective presentation.
• Ability to manage and submit offers through MarRFP and is able to identify accounts to build a business case to gain access asnd inclusion in the bidding process

Time Management and Professionalism

• Focuses on revenue-producing activity and maximizes selling time by dedicating over 50% work time on direct sales efforts.
• Professionalism: Controls expenses while traveling on the property's behalf to minimize department and hotel costs.
• Represents themselves, the hotel and Sage Development Resources, Inc. with the highest level of integrity and professionalism, a service-focused approach, and a caring, sincere attitude always. Exhibits a positive and involved team attitude to all hotel departments and maintains open communications with all co-workers for the best overall performance of the hotel. Displays a neat, clean, and business-like appearance always.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• All other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary by management.

ll times.

Qualifications

Education/Formal Training

Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent. Bachelor's degree preferred.

Experience

Four years business travel and travel industry experience, with 1-year successful supervisory leadership experience.

Knowledge/Skills

• Requires knowledge of general sales techniques.
• Requires yield management experience.
• Requires highly developed customer service skills.
• Requires ability to hear, speak, read and write English fluently.
• Requires 12th grade level mathematics, spelling and reading skills.
• Requires effective business writing skills.
• Must be able to meet clients on and off premises, to tour property and attend functions, to climb stairs, use door keys and operate basic office equipment.
• Vision to read fine print and computer screens, to see colors, to observe rooms in poorly lit conditions.
• Understand and follow verbal/written instructions.
• Work on more than one task at a time.
• Develop strong internal and customer relationships.
• Set and manage priorities and plan activities in advance.
• Solve problems and make sound business decisions.
• Respond to coaching, feedback and training. Strong and effective sales skills.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bending/kneeling - repeated bending and kneeling required while filing
• Mobility - must be able to reach all areas of hotel to assist clients.
• Occasional standing.
• Occasional carrying and lifting of files and office items up to 25 lbs.

Environment

Travel required: 40% of time spent on outside sales calls (locally and nationally)

Work inside office environment as well as at client locations.

This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the associated with the position. May perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, & vision insurance
• Unlimited Paid Time Off
• Health savings and flexible spending accounts
• Basic Life and AD&D insurance
• Eligible to participate in the Company's 401(k) program with employer matching
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Great discounts on Hotels, Restaurants, and much more.

Salary

USD $90, USD $110,000.00 /Yr.

ID:

Position Type: Regular Full-Time

Property : Westin Washington DC

Outlet: Not Applicable

Category: Sales & Marketing

Min: USD $90,000.00/Yr.

Max: USD $110,000.00/Yr.

Address: 1400 M St NW

City: Washington, DC

State: Washington, DC

EOE Protected Veterans/Disability