Director of Sales

Director of Sales - Crowne Plaza College Park- Washington D.C. (Salary $135K - $145K) Position Summary: Director of Sales at Crowne Plaza College Park – Washington DC will lead the property's sales strategy to drive revenue growth across all market segments, including corporate, government, group, and transient business. This 291‑room hotel features over 11,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, making it a prime destination for conferences, weddings, and social gatherings. The Director will be responsible for developing and executing strategic sales plans, managing key accounts, cultivating new business opportunities, and collaborating closely with the revenue and marketing teams to optimize performance. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a proven track record in hotel sales, and the ability to build lasting relationships with clients and community partners. Experience in the Washington DC metro area and IHG brand familiarity is preferred. The Director of Sales administers, directs, manages and controls the sales and marketing department to maximize sales revenue for the hotel and ensure an aggressive approach by all sales staff to meet budgeted goals and key hotel drivers. While the Director of Sales reports directly to the General Manager, the Regional Sales and Marketing Manager will interface and assist in the direction of the Sales and Marketing function at the property. Core Responsibilities Develop sales strategies for property, including targeted market segments, rate management, solicitation procedures and advertising. Develop a realistic annual marketing plan, forecast with monthly reviews to update and modify as required by market conditions. Emphasize control procedures and yield management to assure a proper balance of rate availability to market demand. Establish and executive an effective outside sales program. Direct internal servicing of groups. Act in concert with hotel management team and property General Manager. Train all sales and marketing staff, holding them accountable to actionable results. Work in a cooperative and friendly manner with fellow associates. Practice a culture of guest service in all you do; promote courtesy, good will and a positive attitude in each and every encounter. Perform any reasonable request as assigned or directed by General Manager. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Strong business communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written 3 years proven hotel sales experience, demonstrating creative thinking and results‑driven leadership skills High work ethic and self‑initiative Strong computer skills in Microsoft Suite Some travel may be required Regular attendance according to established guidelines May be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the property Must possess basic computational ability Focus and maintain attention to tasks, and complete work assignments on time despite frequent interruptions Ability to maintain excellent relationships with staff and maintain staff and guest confidentiality at all times Ability to participate in, and at times lead departmental and/or hotel team meetings Strongly Preferred Qualifications Sales leadership in full‑service hotels: Minimum of 2 years in a leadership role is required; ideally 4–6 years of experience managing direct reports within a full‑service hotel environment. Team leadership and development: Will directly oversee a team of four sales professionals, with responsibility for coaching, performance management, and aligning team efforts with property goals. Strategic sales planning and market segmentation: Demonstrated success in developing and executing targeted sales strategies that increase market share and optimize revenue across corporate, government, group, SMERF, and business travel segments. Business Travel (BT) experience: Proven ability to manage and grow BT accounts, including negotiating preferred agreements and maintaining strong relationships with travel managers and consortia partners. Meeting and event space expertise: Experience selling and managing event space in properties with significant capacity; Crowne Plaza College Park offers over 11,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space across 12 rooms. Financial acumen and executive‑level reporting: Skilled in forecasting, budgeting, and analyzing performance metrics, with the ability to present strategic plans and results to ownership and senior leadership. Washington DC metro market knowledge: Deep understanding of regional demand drivers including federal agencies, universities, associations, and government contractors. Brand experience with IHG strongly preferred: Candidates with prior experience in IHG systems and standards—especially within the Crowne Plaza brand—will be prioritized. Sales technology proficiency: Proficient in platforms such as Delphi, Amadeus Sales & Event Management, or IHG’s proprietary systems to manage leads, bookings, and client relationships effectively. Proactive business development: Comfortable with outbound sales efforts including cold calling, networking, and building new business pipelines through local partnerships and national account strategies. Schedule flexibility and ownership mindset: Success in this role requires a driven, hands‑on leader who embraces the dynamic nature of hotel sales and understands that impactful results often come from being present and responsive beyond standard hours. Ownership relations and resilience: Must be confident and composed when working with demanding ownership groups, with the ability to navigate high expectations, provide clear communication, and maintain professionalism under pressure. A thick skin and solution‑oriented mindset are essential. Relocation policy: No relocation assistance is available; however, candidates who are open to relocating at their own expense will be considered. High‑impact catering and group sales experience: This role demands a confident, strategic sales leader with deep expertise in catering and group business—someone who can build strong client relationships and deliver results in a competitive market. This job description is not an exhaustive list of all job functions that are required of an employee in this position. Therefore, other duties may be asked of an employee in this position from time to time. Seniority level: Director Employment type: Full‑time Job function: Sales and Business Development #J-18808-Ljbffr